In terms of the export structure of tuna products to the EU market, it is worth noting that export of other processed tuna tends to increase. Meanwhile, canned tuna products declined. Currently, other processed tuna products are dominant in the group of processed and canned tuna products to this market.
The top 3 biggest tuna export markets from Vietnam to the EU changed in 2018. With the impressive growth continuously at 3 digits in the past months, Spain is occupying the top position with a total export value of US$30 million. Followed by the Netherlands with US$25 million. Meanwhile, exports of tuna to Germany continued to decline, which made this market drop to the 3rd position.
According to ITC, in the first 10 months of 2018, EU tuna imports decreased by 47% compared to the same period in 2017. In particular, import of canned tuna declined by 46%, while imports of loin/fillets frozen tuna dropped by 47%.
In the market segment of canned tuna, Italy, Spain, France, England and Germany were the 5 largest import markets for this product in the EU. Compared to the same period in 2017, import of canned tuna of all 5 markets increased in value, but in terms of volume, only Spain has the growth.
Ecuador remained the largest supplier of canned processed tuna for the EU. The value of canned tuna processing from Ecuador to the EU accounted for 19% of the total import value of this market. Followed by Mauritius and the Philippines with 7% and 6% respectively. Meanwhile, Vietnam was the 14th largest supplier canned processed tuna for the EU, accounting for only 1.2%.
For this canned processed product of HS16 code, Vietnam was still difficult to compete with the import tax rate of 20.5%, while Ecuador has an advantage with 0% tax rate. China was subject to a 24% higher tax rate than Vietnam, while the Philippines enjoys 0%.
In the loin/ frozen tuna fillets, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany were the 5 largest import markets for this product in the EU. Compared to the same period in 2017, while Germany reduced imports of these products, the remaining 4 countries were all increasing. Vietnam was the second largest supplier of frozen loin/ filet tuna for the EU, after Korea.
In general, in 2018, because of the high price of tuna at Manta, the catch in this area decreased, causing the supply to be limited. So EU countries tend to find alternative suppliers from Asian countries like China or Vietnam.
For frozen tuna loin/ fillet, with a tariff of 14.5%, Vietnam has no advantage over Korea, or Mexico and Ecuador - the two countries were enjoying 0% tax.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn