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.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 closed with a remarkable milestone for Vietnam’s shrimp industry. According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s total shrimp export turnover in 2025 reached USD 4.6 billion, up 19% compared to 2024 and the highest level ever recorded.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the 2026–2030 period, Quang Tri province aims to convert 771 fishing vessels currently engaged in activities detrimental to marine resources and the ecological environment to more environmentally friendly fishing practices or shift entirely to other economic sectors.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After two consecutive years of decline, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports rebounded in 2025. Export turnover of this product group exceeded USD 344 million, up 15% year-on-year compared with 2024 and 13% higher than 2023, although still below the peak level recorded in 2022.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
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