According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s exports of fresh/live/frozen tuna (HS code 03) continues to take the largest proportion. However, exports of the item reported a fall of 9.6% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, shipments of processed tuna (HS code 16) increased by nearly 12%. Notably, exports of fresh, frozen tuna (except for frozen tuna loins HS code 0304) and canned tuna in the first 7 months of this year increased over the same period.
In general, through July 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the main markets witnessed the positive growth. Of that, exports to the U.S. and Canada rebounded.
The U.S.
In July 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. gained US$18.8 million, up 3.8% over the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 estimated at more than US$111.6 million, up 0.5% year on year.
The U.S. remained as the largest importer of canned tuna from Vietnam. However, this year the country increased imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam, especially frozen tuna loins, and reduced imports of canned tuna. The U.S’ imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam reached more than US$76.8 million, up nearly 11% from the year before. Meanwhile, imports of processed tuna (HS code 16) hit US$34.7 million, down more than 16%.
EU
Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU in July touched over US$5 million, down 21.8% from the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 was more than US$55.8 million, down 8.2%.
Italy stayed as the biggest importer of Vietnam tuna in the bloc. Meanwhile, the exports to Germany continued to decline.
This year, the EU increased imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam, while reduced those of processed tuna. Vietnam exports of fresh/live/frozen tuna to the EU in the first 7 months of the year hit US$31.7 million, up 19.3%; those of processed tuna reached more than US$24.4 million, down 29.5% year on year.
ASEAN
Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN still showed the good growth. In July, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market totaled nearly US$4.3 million, up 26.7% over the same period. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 estimated at US$25.5 million, up 24.9% over the same period last year.
Other processed tuna remained the major export items of Vietnam to this market. In the first 7 months of this year, exports of tuna products from Vietnam to the region increased over the same period last year.
Japan
As of July 2016, Japan has slipped to rank the 6th in the main importing markets of Vietnam tuna. Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan in July reached US$1.7 million, down 10.8% compared to the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 was US$10.3 million, down 10.6% over the same period last year.
While exports of Vietnam processed tuna (HS code 16) to the market went up nearly 10%, those of frozen and fresh tuna decreased by 26.5% compared to the same period last year.
In the coming time, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. will continue the rise thanks to the effects of the TPP. Meanwhile, exports to the EU remains low due to high taxes. However, with the offset from the ASEAN importing markets such as China, Vietnam's tuna exports expected to increase.
Written by Nguyen Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn