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 Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(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.
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