According to statistics of the Vietnam Customs, in April 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US market still declined by 36% compared to the same period in 2019. At the US market, although being impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for canned tuna in this market has increased. This has caused Vietnam's canned tuna exports to the US after a long period of continuous decline, showing signs of growth, up 2% over the same period in 2019. According to the statistics of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Vietnam's canned tuna products exported to the US are on the upward trend compared to the same period in 2019 and have the second-highest average price among the 10 suppliers of canned tuna for this market.
Similarly, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU continued to decline in April. Therefore, the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to this market in the first four months of 2020 still fell by 18% compared to the same period in 2019, reaching nearly 82 million USD. However, it is worth noting that in April, Vietnam's tuna exports to the two largest tuna importers of Vietnam in the EU bloc, Germany, and Italy, increased. And like the US and other countries, the demand for canned tuna in EU countries spiked. The outbreak of disease is causing tuna manufacturing plants of EU countries such as Spain, Italy ... to stall. Furthermore, increasing demand has led the EU to increase imports of canned tuna from outside. Currently, Vietnam's canned tuna exports to the EU also tend to increase over the same period in 2019, up 2.7%.
Meanwhile, tuna exports to ASEAN, after declining in March, have grown again. Vietnam's tuna exports to this market in April rose by 4% over the same period in 2019. Notably, tuna exports to the largest importer in the bloc, Thailand, lifted by 61%.
Exports to some other major importers, such as Japan and Egypt, continued to increase. By the end of April 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan jumped by 36% and that to Egypt elevated by 59%. Although the situation of COVID-19 is causing the tuna market to wobble, Vietnam's tuna export to these importers is still very positive. Japan is strongly increasing imports of many other processed tuna products of Vietnam, especially frozen steamed tuna meat, up 111% over the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, Egypt is increasing imports of canned tuna from Vietnam.
Currently, the supply of tuna materials in the region has stabilized. At the end of April, transshipment at sea was approved by the countries participating in the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) for regional shipping and fishing vessels at the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) aims to keep the supply of raw materials to regional markets so material difficulties are expected to improve. However, despite the negative impact of the global COVID-19 crisis, the price of raw tuna is still higher than that of the previous year and higher than other regions so it will reduce its competitiveness, making it difficult for businesses.
In the immediate future, with the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in major importers is still progressing worse, this is expected to make the world tuna market continue to fluctuate. The demand for canned tuna in markets will continue to increase. Due to the impact of the epidemic, the income of people also affected, the trend of finding cheap alternatives such as canned tuna products and pouch tuna will be more popular. This will impact tuna import trends in markets in the coming months. Therefore, businesses need to follow the market closely to make appropriate adjustments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
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