Philippines had been the leading exporter to Germany for many years, but Ecuador has since taken over that position.
In 2011, Ecuador gained significant ground in the growing German tuna market, rallying from the middle of the pack in 2010 to become the top exporter with a quarter share of the market. Last year, the South American country boosted its deliveries by 107% to ship 15,149 tons of canned tuna, surpassing the imports from both Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
Ecuador has the second largest fleet in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and it catches the majority of the region’s skipjack (62%). It’s also one of the world’s largest processors of canned tuna, next to Thailand and Spain, producing more than 500 tons daily. It sends the majority (60%) of its canned tuna products to Europe, where it has duty free market access.
The Philippines, which also has a significant domestic fleet, also continues to be a major player in the German market, but its position is shrinking. In 2011, it shipped about 10% less for a total volume of 15,074 tons compared to 2010. While it controlled a relatively equal 25% share of the market with Ecuador last year, it previously accounted for 32% of Germany’s canned tuna imports. This decline could be caused by the disadvantage in duty that Philippines has compared to Ecuador. Canned tuna from Ecuador is duty free while Philippines has a 20.5% or 24% tariff.
Still, Philippines remains strong in the German food service sector, with most of the canned imports being in the 60.5 oz can size.
In that sense, the expansion of Indonesia and Vietnam (also with 24% duty) are remarkable. Compared to 2010, Vietnam’s canned tuna exports to Germany grew by 62% to 5,379 tons, while Indonesia’s climbed by 23% for a total of 8,027 tons.
Germany is also importing less duty free canned tuna from Papua New Guinea. Last year, the canned tuna volume from Papua New Guinea – which has duty free market access – declined by 22% to reach 8,300 tons. As a result, the country lost 6% in market share in 2011.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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