According to the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment (COT), the average seafood consumption per capita in the UK is approximately 217 grams per person per week. Among this, fatty fish (excluding canned tuna) accounts for about one-quarter, equating to over 50 grams per person per week. Notably, changes in consumer behavior following the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased demand for processed and canned food products due to their convenience.
In 2024, tuna ranked as the third highest-selling seafood in UK retail markets, following salmon and cod. In the UK, tuna is primarily consumed in quick meals such as sandwiches and travel-friendly meals. According to data from Seafish, tuna accounts for 69% of all canned seafood choices among British consumers. Moreover, given the versatility of fatty fish in various culinary applications, other processed tuna products - such as salads, tuna-based sauces, and sandwiches - are also highly favored. Similar to other European markets, UK consumers are increasingly focused not only on the origin and quality of seafood but also on labor standards, environmental impact, and the sustainability of supply chains. Additionally, fundamental factors such as pricing, processing methods, meal compatibility, and usage settings remain key considerations.
In the tuna sector, the largest suppliers to the UK currently include Ecuador (accounting for approximately 29% of total imports), Mauritius (over 13%), Seychelles (11%), Ghana (10%), and Spain (nearly 6%). Meanwhile, several Southeast Asian suppliers hold smaller market shares but still rank among the top 15 tuna exporters to the UK, including the Philippines (7%), Indonesia (2%), Thailand (6%), and Vietnam (1.4%).
Vietnam Customs data shows that Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have maintained continuous growth since the implementation of the CPTPP. Export value increased from $5.1 million in 2021 to nearly $7.9 million in 2024, marking a 54% rise. Entering 2025, the UK remains one of the few markets where Vietnam’s tuna exports continue to grow, with a 24% increase year-on-year.
The CPTPP and UKVFTA agreements have created substantial growth momentum for bilateral trade while opening new development opportunities for Vietnam’s tuna industry, particularly as key export markets face declines due to geopolitical tensions and global economic challenges.
A key change in tariff regulations under the CPTPP is the gradual reduction of tariffs on Vietnam’s processed and canned tuna exports to the UK from 20% to 0% over seven years. Meanwhile, under the UKVFTA, these products currently benefit from a 0% tariff only within a quota of 11,500 tons. In the long run, leveraging tariff preferences from these agreements will provide a competitive advantage for Vietnamese tuna exports in the UK market.
According to industry experts, both the CPTPP and UKVFTA are next-generation free trade agreements that require exporting countries and enterprises to enhance their internal capacities. The most significant advantage of the CPTPP is its rules of origin, which allow greater flexibility for exporters. Following the UK's accession, five other economies have formally applied to join the CPTPP: China, Taiwan (September 2021), Ecuador (January 2022), Costa Rica (August 2022), and Uruguay (December 2022). Among them, Ecuador and China are formidable competitors to Vietnam’s tuna industry. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises must act swiftly to seize the early mover advantage and capture market share. Additionally, securing a stable domestic tuna supply will be a decisive factor in enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness in this market.
However, to achieve this, the tuna industry requires further incentives to accelerate growth. Specifically, for fishermen, it is crucial to ensure that, alongside compliance with legal regulations - including IUU fishing rules - they are motivated to expand offshore fishing operations and reinvest in their fleets. Moreover, fishermen must be able to harvest and sell raw materials under normal market conditions. As for businesses, efforts should continue to improve the business environment and simplify administrative procedures.
|
TOP 15 TUNA SUPPLIERS TO THE UK, 2023 - 2024 (Unit: USD thousand, Source: ITC) |
|||
|
Exporters |
2023 |
2024 |
Change (%) |
|
Total |
501.117 |
581.112 |
16 |
|
Ecuador |
144.258 |
168.409 |
17 |
|
Mauritius |
76.037 |
75.286 |
-1 |
|
Seychelles |
55.497 |
64.687 |
17 |
|
Ghana |
50.743 |
55.343 |
9 |
|
Philippines |
26.333 |
40.505 |
54 |
|
Thailand |
18.492 |
34.062 |
84 |
|
Spain |
29.95 |
33.43 |
12 |
|
Peru |
21.719 |
30.925 |
42 |
|
Maldives |
22.581 |
21.337 |
-6 |
|
Korea |
12.866 |
13.805 |
7 |
|
Indonesia |
11.661 |
12.922 |
11 |
|
Portugal |
6.287 |
9.981 |
59 |
|
Vietnam |
6.316 |
8.056 |
28 |
|
Japan |
1.574 |
2.273 |
44 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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