What opportunities exist for Vietnam tuna?
Currently, the U.S. is the largest market for tuna exports, accounting for over 38% of Vietnam's total tuna export value. Vietnam's tuna exports to this market have been steadily increasing over the past 10 years, rising from $175 million in 2014 to nearly $327 million in 2023, almost doubling.
In 2023, due to the impact of inflation, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. dropped by 33% compared to 2022. However, in 2024, exports to this market have been steadily increasing. While the growth rate slowed down in the last months of the year, the export value remains higher compared to the same period in the past two years.
During his first term, Donald Trump implemented high tariffs on imported tuna products from China, causing U.S. importers to shift their focus to Vietnam. This helped Vietnam increase its market share in the U.S. tuna market in recent years.
In his second term, Trump proposed imposing tariffs of 10-20% on imports from other countries, with China facing up to 60%. This presents an opportunity for Vietnamese seafood products, including tuna, to increase exports to the U.S.
In his second term, Trump has made reducing the trade deficit a priority, meaning the U.S. will closely monitor the origin of products. Therefore, Vietnam will face new trade defense measures from the U.S., including stricter controls on imported seafood and quality standards.
Moreover, many experts predict that, due to its geographical proximity to China, Vietnam could be seen as a gateway for Chinese goods entering the U.S. The U.S. government might try to block this loophole and impose tariffs on goods from Vietnam. As a result, Vietnam's seafood industry, including tuna, may face challenges if demand from the U.S. decreases due to high tariffs making imports too expensive.
Additionally, if losing the U.S. market, Chinese tuna exporters may look to shift their focus to other markets like the EU and the Middle East.
Specifically, after Chinese tuna products were hit with high tariffs during Trump's first term, Chinese producers shifted their exports to the EU market. This has increased competition in those markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
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