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) 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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