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 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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