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) 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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