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) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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