The economic instability and the war between Israel and the Hamas Islamic in 2023 have affected seafood export activities in general and tuna in particular to this market. Vietnam's tuna exports to the Middle East have continuously decreased every month since the beginning of the year. And only until November 2023 did tuna exports to this market tend to recover.
Vietnam’s tuna exports to some markets in the Middle East region recorded an increase over the same period in 2022, such as: Israel (up 37%), Lebanon (up 17%), UAE (up 23%), Turkey Ky (up 73%). Meanwhile, exports to some markets decreased sharply, such as: Egypt (down 47%), Saudi Arabia (down 78%)...
Currently, the Middle East is Vietnam's 4th largest export market of Vietnam tuna after the US, EU and CPTPP, accounting for nearly 10% of total tuna export turnover. In recent years, facing many challenges from main consumption markets, Vietnamese tuna enterprises have turned to smaller but potential markets such as the Middle East to diversify export markets.
However, this market area also has high requirements for imported food products such as the requirement of Halal certification. Suppliers are required to process and package appropriately to meet this standard.
According to recent information from the Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has sent a document to the leaders of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam about some food products exported to Saudi Arabia with Halal certificates but the issuing agencies of these certificates are not on the list approved or authorized by SFDA. Therefore, seafood export enterprises to the Saudi Arabian market need to comply with regulations on Halal certification and approach the Halal certificates of the unit authorized by SFDA to avoid being detained or returned.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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