Among EU countries, Portugal is also an important tuna market, known for its high per capita fish consumption, with a strong preference for canned tuna and fresh/ frozen tuna. Portugal’s canned tuna industry dates back to the 19th century, with Vila Real de Santo António being a key destination for the development of both the fishing and canning sectors.
Portugal’s tuna processing industry relies heavily on imported skipjack and yellowfin tuna loins for processing. Consequently, the country imports sustainable quantities of frozen tuna meat/ loins (HS0304) and frozen steamed tuna loins (HS16) from various countries, including VietNam. According to Vietnam Customs data, these two product groups dominate Vietnam’s exports to Portugal, with frozen steamed tuna loins accounting for over 81% of export value in 2024.
In the Portuguese market, Vietnam is the second-largest non-EU tuna supplier after Ecuador in the first three months of 2025. Portugal’s tuna imports from Ecuador and Vietnam are increasing, while imports from China are declining.
Since the US-China trade war, China has increased its tuna exports to the EU, intensifying competition in this market. However, Vietnam’s tuna products have gained a competitive edge since 2024, reflected in the continuous growth of export turnover.
Strengthened trade cooperation between Vietnam and Portugal, coupled with maximized benefits from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), has fueled Vietnam’s tuna exports to Portugal.
However, businesses warn that sustaining this growth is challenging. The domestic tuna raw material supply, already insufficient, is becoming scarcer due to regulatory issues and obstacles in certification and verification processes, which are hindering export growth.
(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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