Exports of fresh/live/frozen/dried tuna declined by 16%, while those of other tuna products all increased compared to the same period in 2017. Sales of frozen tuna loins/fillets (HS code 0304) continued to take a large share of 49%, followed by canned tuna with 28%.
The top eight major tuna importing markets of Vietnam included the U.S, the EU, Israel, ASEAN, Japan, Canada, Mexico and China, accounting for 88% of Vietnam’s total tuna export value. Exports to most of these markets witnessed the good growth, except the U.S, Canada and Mexico.
The U.S
After the growth in January, tuna exports to the U.S were on the downward trend. In the first three months of this year, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S gained US$40.8 million, down 8.4% over the same period last year. However, the U.S continues to be Vietnam's largest tuna buyer in Jan-Mar 2018, accounting for 30%.
In the period, although Vietnam's other processed tuna exports to the U.S increased by 164% over the same period last year, with the share of 8% in the total export value, this didn’t offset for the decrease in the total exports. Specifically, exports of frozen tuna loins/fillets hit US$24 million, down 12%; exports of canned tuna were US$13 million, down 11%; and exports of fresh/live/frozen/dried tuna reached US$534 thousand, down 58%. In this quarter, frozen tuna loins/fillets remained as the main export product of Vietnam.
The EU
Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU continued the upward trend. The figure in the first three months of 2018 was US$34.5 million, up 25% over the same period.
Exports of Vietnam’s tuna products in this period increased, except for canned tuna. Frozen raw tuna loins/fillets HS code 0304 remained as still the key export products, accounting for 40% of total export value. In the period, sales of other processed tuna to the market sharply increased by 332% to see US$ 6 million.
Japan
In the first three months of this year, Vietnam's tuna export to Japan showed the good growth from a year before. The figure in Jan-Mar this year reached US$6.2 million, up 27% over the same period in 2017.
Exports of fresh/live/frozen/dried tuna to Japan decreased by 95% over the same period while sales of other tuna products of Vietnam to the market had grown well.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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