In the US market, after a recovery in February, Vietnamese tuna exports to this market fell by 23% in March. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US caused the country to impose a shutdown. Accordingly, the number of people allowed in public places is limited, citizens are required to restrict participation in activities ... this has reduced the demand for tuna in this market.
Similarly, Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU also dropped by over 27% in March 2020. With the number of cases and deaths from Covid-19 increasing in EU countries such as Spain, Italy and Germany, Vietnam's main tuna importers, trading activities to these markets are leveled off. The system of restaurants and hotels that have stopped operating to avoid spreading Covid-19 has also reduced demand for tuna in the market. Besides, inventories on the EU market are at high levels, even higher than before the Covid-19 outbreak. The reason is that the tuna price in the world market at the end of 2019 at a low level has made businesses hoard more. At present, although the contract has been signed, the market has no demand, many export shipments to the EU market have not been delivered or detained.
ASEAN continued to be the third-largest importer of Vietnam, in the first 3 months of 2020, export value to this market reached 9.6 million USD, down nearly 15% compared to the same period in 2019. In particular, Thailand - the largest single importer of Vietnamese tuna in the bloc, also down 15% over the same period in 2019. On March 24, 2020 the Thai government decided to declare a national emergency to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, which also led to the suspension of many orders of tuna to this market.
In addition to the major importers, Vietnamese tuna exports to other markets such as Japan, Canada or Egypt are showing optimistic growth over the same period in 2019. However, the value of exports to these markets is still small.
Thus, it can be seen that the outbreak of Covid-19 has been affecting tuna trade activities in the world. Besides, the pandemic also caused the trend of tuna consumption in the world market to change. According to statistics of markets, the application of social distancing measures in countries has led to a sharp decline in demand for live, fresh and frozen tuna. Meanwhile, demand for small-size canned tuna rose thanks to increased demand for the stockpile of consumers. This common trend is causing businesses to look for a way to increase production and export of processed tuna, reducing exports of fresh, or frozen.
However, the outbreak of pandemic is also affecting the supply of raw tuna in the world. Specifically, due to concerns about the spread of the pandemic, many Pacific Island nations implemented orders to blockade completely or declared an emergency, preventing ships from entering and unloading at ports. This also caused a limited supply of raw materials, affecting tuna production.
Meanwhile, the tuna catches in the Western and Central Pacific region are low, which has caused the price of raw tuna in this area to rise, the raw tuna price in Bangkok rose by 50% since the end of February. While, prices in other regions such as Malta, Seychelles remain stable, and are at lower levels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
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