Spain, Italy, France and the UK were the largest tuna importers in the EU. In particular, Spain's tuna imports accounted for 34% of total EU tuna imports; followed by Italy at 17%, France at 11% and Britain at 10%. Compared to 2017, imports of Spanish and Italian tuna tended to go up, whereas imports to France and Britain went down. With an impressive growth rate, Spain has become the largest tuna import market of Vietnam in the EU.
With the main export product being frozen tuna (HS code 0304), Vietnam is currently the second largest supplier to EU, after Korea. In 2018, exports of this product line to the EU increased 30% compared to 2017. The Netherlands, Italy and Belgium are the 3 largest importers of Vietnamese frozen tuna (HS code 0304) in the EU market.
Exports of frozen tuna loins increased, whereas Vietnamese canned tuna to EU decreased. In addition, other processed tuna products (tuna in oil, frozen tuna flake ...) increased. Specifically, compared to 2017, the export revenue of canned tuna decreased by 14%, while other processed tuna increased by 77%. Vietnam is currently the14th largest processed and canned tuna suppliers to EU.
In 2018, due to the high price of tuna in Malta and the catch in this area fell, causing the supply to be limited. EU countries, therefore, tend to find alternative tuna suppliers from Asian countries like China or Vietnam.
It is expected that this trend will continue in the first months of 2019 due to low capture fisheries production in some EU countries. In addition, the EU still applies duty free quotas for 25,000 tons of pre-cooked tuna fillet/ loins from third countries - those without trade agreements with the EU such as Thailand, Vietnam and China. Therefore, the EU still increase tuna imports from Vietnam, especially in the context of the two sides preparing to officially sign the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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