According to the statistics of Vietnam Customs, EU is the second largest tuna importer of Vietnam in the past 10 years. Since 2015, after Vietnam and EU officially ended negotiations and the agreement was released on 1/2/2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU increased continuously.
Currently Vietnam mainly exports frozen loin/fillet tuna and canned tuna to the EU market in the past 10 years. Before 2014, Vietnam's frozen tuna loin/filet tuna exports to the EU growed continously. However, it tended to fall continuously for 2 years and climbed again in 2017. For canned tuna products, it tended to rose continuously in the period before 2014, but then also went down continuously.
Germany, Italy and Spain were the three largest tuna importers of Vietnam in the EU. Germany imported a lot of canned processed tuna products, while Italy and Spain mainly imported fresh and frozen tuna products.
Vietnam's tuna products mainly compete with similar products from Ecuador, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and China. Vietnam is difficult to compete with other countries due to the catches, the scale and capacity of tuna production of these countries are higher than ours. In addition, it is difficult for Vietnam to compete with the Philippines and Ecuador because they enjoy preferential tariffs, while Vietnam is not entitled to incentives. Vietnam's seafood industry has been considered a "mature" threshold, i.e, a group of commodities with a relatively high export value to the EU in recent years. Therefore, from January 1, 2014, Vietnam have not enjoyed the offer anymore. Vietnamese tuna products are subject to a higher tax rate of 20.5%. This has reduced the competitiveness of Vietnamese tuna products in the EU market.
Under the EVFTA commitment, the EU shall remove tariffs on fresh and frozen tuna products (except for frozen tuna loin/fillet HS code 0304) as soon as the agreement comes into effect. For products of frozen tuna loin/fillet tuna HS code 030487, the EU shall eliminate tariffs for Vietnam under a 3-year schedule, from the basic tax rate of 18%, as soon as the agreement comes into effect. With the products of steamed tuna loin/fillet (raw material for canned tuna production), the EU shall abolish tariffs for Vietnam according to the 7-year schedule, from the basic tax rate of 24%. Particularly for canned tuna products (such as canned tuna in oil, in pouch, products of canned tuna family...), the EU shall exempt for these Vietnam products with the quota of 11,500 MT/year.
Thus, when EVFTA takes effect, it will be an advantage for Vietnamese tuna exporters in the long run. However, in the short term, businesses shall face many difficulties. Because this FTA includes a comprehensive chapter on trade and sustainable development, covering relevant labor and environmental issues in trade relations between the EU and Vietnam.
(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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