Ecuador’s tuna exports Surge
Ecuador continues to capitalize on abundant marine resources in the Eastern Pacific Ocean following favorable fishing years with standout export growth in canned tuna and frozen tuna loins.
According to data from International Trade Centre (ITC), Ecuador’s tuna exports in the first seven months of 2025 exceeded $1 billion, up 18% year-on-year. The majority of Ecuador’s tuna products are exported to the EU market, while expanding into China supported by recent trade agreements.
Although China is aggressively increasing exports of competitively priced frozen cooked tuna loins, pressuring Ecuador’s traditional share in certain European markets - Ecuador is still increasing volumes to preserve market share and explore new destinations.
The Ecuadorian government and processing industry are also implementing several sustainability and management initiatives - from vessel monitoring, enhanced data exchange for oversight to adopting technologies (such as ecoFADs and improved traceability) - to reduce IUU fishing risks (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) and enhance export credibility. These measures are helping Ecuador gain better access to high-standard markets like the EU.
Challenges for Vietnam
Ecuador’s accelerated exports create direct competitive pressure on Vietnam in European and Asian markets, especially in canned tuna and frozen tuna loins - segments where both countries are strongly engaged. Ecuador is leveraging its Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) fishing grounds and competitive processing costs to capture more market share, while China remains a low-cost supplier continuing to reshape the global price balance.
The increased supply of tuna products from Ecuador may drive down global raw skipjack and yellowfin prices, creating volatility in input costs for tuna processing worldwide.
Additionally, as Ecuador continues to deepen exports into the EU (currently its largest market), Vietnamese businesses may lose competitive edge if they fail to improve traceability and sustainability standards.
In terms of pricing, China’s lower-cost products in segments like frozen steamed loins have already disrupted supply chains in the European bloc. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises need strategies to avoid competing solely on price.
Opportunities and Recommendations for Vietnam’s Tuna Industry
Amid rising competition, Vietnamese enterprises can strengthen traceability and sustainability certifications - which the EU and major retail chains prioritize for clearly traceable sourcing. VInvestments in monitoring systems, transparent supply chains and certifications like MSC will be essential.
At the same time, Vietnam should enhance product value, specifically by developing premium processed products (such as standardized loins, convenient packaged tuna, products for private labels) to avoid pure price competition.
Furthermore, diversify export markets is equally crucial. Alongside the EU, deeper penetration into Asian markets (China, ASEAN, Japan and South Korea) and trade negotiations to reduce barriers are needed, learning from Ecuador’s successful expansion into China.
Enterprises must monitor competitors’ pricing and supply strategies. As China and Ecuador may adjust sales tactics (selling low-priced loins to gain share), Vietnamese firms need to optimize production costs, improve customer service quality and build sustainable branding.
Ecuador has and continues to consolidate its position as a “tuna powerhouse” in 2025 through increased export volumes, market expansion and improved fisheries management - a trend that is both an opportunity (supply chain expansion, collaboration) and significant challenges for Vietnam in market and price competition. Effective response requires Vietnam to rapidly upgrade sustainability standards, diversify products and markets and strengthen seafood resource management capacity to ensure long-term competitive positioning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn