Exports of tuna HS code 16 are increasing
In the past 5 years, Vietnam's processed and canned tuna exports have tended to increase. In the first 4 months of the year alone, the export turnover of this product group has increased from 91 million USD in 2020 to 154 million USD in 2024, an increase of 70%. In particular, Vietnam's canned tuna exports are gradually recovering, higher than the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the contrary, exports of fresh and frozen tuna, mainly frozen tuna meat or loin with the HS code 0304 code, are unstable. After peaking in 2022, exports of this product group decreased sharply. Entering 2024, exports of these products have increased again, but the increase is not high—up 6% over the same period.
According to experts' forecasts, convenience is key for shoppers, and value-added seafood that is pre-marinated or ready to heat and eat will continue to attract buyers looking to create combination meals to combine cooking with prepared dishes. Therefore, the consumption demand for processed and canned tuna products will improve soon.
Exports to major markets accelerated
In April 2024, Vietnamese tuna products were exported to more than 90 markets. In particular, tuna exports to main markets such as the US, EU, Israel, Canada, Japan, and Mexico all increased faster.
In the US and EU markets, Russia, and Korea, the export growth rate in April 2024 compared to the same period doubled compared to the previous month, reaching 37%, 71%, 32%, and 158%, respectively. Notably, in the EU market, exports to the three leading markets, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, all grew "gallopingly" at three digits.
Along with that, tuna exports to some markets have reversed and increased, such as Japan, which increased by 33%, and Mexico, which increased by 43%.
However, according to businesses, this growth is due to a decrease in inventory in the markets, but actually market demand is still better.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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