The U.S
As of Oct 2016,Vietnam’s tuna exports to the U.S valued at US$164.9 million, accounting for 40.2% of total exports, increasing by 0.6% year on year. The shipments to this market remained stable in the last three years. So far, the U.S kept the 1st rank in top largest importers of Vietnam’s tuna.
Currently, Viet Nam stayed as the 2nd largest supplier of tuna to the U.S (behind Thailand). In particular, imports of processed tuna (HS code 160414) accounted for the largest share of 53-55% in total tuna imports into the country. According to the ITC, in the first 8 months of 2016, Thailand, Ecuador, Fiji, China and Vietnam were top 5 largest sellers of processed tuna (HS code 160414) to the U.S. However, processed tuna products from Thailand picked up 37-48% in total import value of processed tuna into the U.S.
The EU
In the first 10 months of 2016, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the EU reached US$87.8 million, accounting for 21.4% of total export value, rising by 4.9% over the same period last year. Of that, shipments to 2 biggest importers in the bloc, including Italy and Belgium increased by 147.7% and 19.2%, respectively; while those to other major markets such as Germany (-36%) declined compared to the same period last year.
In the period,exports to Italy took up the highest growth. In Oct 2016, sales to this market reached US$6.8 million, sharply increasingly by 340.4% compared to Oct in 2015. In the first half of this year, tuna imports into Italy were worth by US$421 million, up 2.7% year on year. Of that, imports of frozen tuna touched US$71.5 million, rising by nearly 17%, accounting for over 17%, whereas those of canned/processed tuna hit nearly US$350 million, climbing by 0.2%, accounting for 83%.
Viet Nam mainly exports frozen yellowfin tuna (HS code 030487) to Italy, and ranks the 1st out of top suppliers to this market, accounting for 28%. The item will be an advantage of Viet Nam in the coming time, when the EVFTA takes effect, then frozen tuna is subject to the import duty of 0%.
ASEAN and others
Through Oct 2016, Vietnam’s tuna exports to ASEAN reached US$37 million, accounting for 9% of total imports and increasing by 16.8% over the same period last year. Of that, exports to Thailand reached US$26.5 million, up 22.8%. Currently, Viet Nam stayed as the 11th largest tuna supplier to Thailand. In the first 8 months of 2016, Thailand mainly imported tuna from Taiwan, China and Papua New Guinea as well as increased exports to the U.S, Australia and Japan.
In the first 10 months of 2016, Vietnam’s tuna exports to other potential markets such as Israel and China also significantly increased by 22.7% and 54.6%, respectively, over the same period last year. However, exports to Japan fell by 12%, those to Canada down 2.7%, and those to Mexico down nearly 25% year on year.
|
TOP 10 LARGEST IMPORTERS OF VIETNAM FROZEN TUNA (HS code 03) |
TOP 10 LARGEST IMPORTERS OF VIETNAM PROCESSED TUNA (HS code 16) |
||||||
|
No. |
Markets |
Value (US$) |
Variation (%) |
No. |
Markets |
Value (US$) |
Variation (%) |
|
1 |
The U.S |
95,964,814 |
11.0 |
1 |
The U.S |
48,561,034 |
-11.6 |
|
2 |
Italy |
15,117,377 |
63.9 |
2 |
Thailand |
20,679,311 |
+19.5 |
|
3 |
China-Hong Kong |
13,129,664 |
76.7 |
3 |
Germany |
10,488,974 |
-45.7 |
|
4 |
Israel |
7,926,279 |
0.7 |
4 |
Israel |
8,757,551 |
+58.5 |
|
5 |
Japan |
7,444,692 |
-29.4 |
5 |
Japan |
6,632,808 |
+22.5 |
|
6 |
Belgium |
6,208,289 |
38.7 |
6 |
Italy |
5,439,943 |
+1,852.9 |
|
7 |
Philippines |
6,170,161 |
-1.5 |
7 |
Tunisia |
4,760,285 |
+535.9 |
|
8 |
Mexico |
5,885,452 |
-1.6 |
8 |
Poland |
3,155,092 |
+32.8 |
|
9 |
Canada |
5,473,249 |
-4.9 |
9 |
Croatia |
2,863,807 |
+63.6 |
|
10 |
Russia |
4,250,268 |
25.0 |
10 |
The Netherlands |
2,844,477 |
-43.6 |
|
Source: Vietnam Customs |
|||||||
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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