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) 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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