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) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
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