The region has high economic growth of 6 – 14 percent per year. Because of low duty imposed on imported products into regional countries creating more opportunities for food products to penetrate in markets in the region. However, exporters must ensure the quality of their commodities in accordance with their commitment in contracts and deliver goods on schedule. Vietnam is exporting some main seafood products (pangasius, shrimp and canned tuna) to the Middle East.
In some recent years, Vietnam has been shipping more and more seafood products to the Middle East with gradual growth in export value: 2009 with US$192 million of export value, 2010 with US$225 million, 2011 with US$274 million. Since the early 2012 to April 15th 2012, seafood exports to the region reached nearly US$80 million, accounting for 5.1 percent of total seafood export value.
Tuna export value to the Middle East occupied a modest proportion compared to shrimp and pangasius: In 2009, tuna made up 6.3 percent of sales to the market, in 2010 with 8.6 percent and 10.5 percent in 2011.
Tuna exporters are taking advantage of business opportunities in emerging markets in the Middle East to boost tuna exports to these markets. However, the Middle East is not really exposing a strong attraction to tuna exporters due to low export price although conditions for exporting to the region and im-ex procedures are more favourable and simplified than those to European and American countries.
As of April 15th 2012, total tuna exports to the Middle East touched nearly US$9 million, up 16.6 percent from that of the same period of 2011. Among 10 markets in the Middle East with the 6 percent proportion of total Vietnam tuna export value, exports to three largest markets (Israel, Sudan and Lebanon) reached US$6.4 million, representing over 70 percent of total tuna export value to the region. Sudan, Iraq, Israel and Kuwait reported a strong growth in tuna imports compared to the same period of 2011.
In January 2012 alone, tuna export value to Sudan was higher than that of 2011 which brought Sudan to become one of 10 largest importing markets of Vietnam tuna (mainly canned tuna - HS 16 code).
Till April 15th 2012, among markets in the Middle East, Israel took the lead in tuna imports with US$3.5 million. This year, tuna exports to the market has signs of bounce with monthly growth of 700 percent although exports declined in recent 3 – 4 years.
Tuna shipment to Iran, UAE and Egypt has signs of slowing down in which shipment to Iran had the biggest reduction of 74.4 percent from that of the same period of 2011. In some recent years, Iran increased tuna imports from Vietnam, mainly raw tuna (HS 03 code) and in 2010 - 2011, Iran outstripped Israel to take the lead in the block with tuna imports of over US$9 million.
Tuna delivery to UAE tends to rise. In 2009, tuna exports to UAE only reached more than US$522 thousand, however, in 2011, it saw a four-fold increase of over US$2 million, mainly raw tuna (HS 03 code).
Vietnam exports to the Middle East are marking positive outlook thanks to increasingly high consumption demand of goods in the region. Besides, many regional countries tend to broaden their business in Eastern countries, including Vietnam which makes Vietnam goods as well as tuna more favorable to penetrate and raise the market share in regional markets.
In the wake of the global financial crisis, the Middle East still stands firm, so it is considered as an crucial importing market of Vietnam seafood, especially tuna.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025). In parallel with the nation's progress in international economic integration, bilateral seafood trade has followed a remarkably impressive growth trajectory, expanding from an initial scale of just tens of millions of US dollars to nearly $2 billion annually. This growth has positioned the United States as Vietnam’s largest seafood export market for many consecutive years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 12, 2025, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) issued document 231/CV-VASEP regarding strengthening measures to combat IUU fishing and working with the Government to lift the EC's IUU yellow card warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Tilapia is easy to farm and provides high economic and nutritional value, making it a sought-after export commodity in many countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in the first 10 months of 2025 recorded significant progress, reaching more than USD 9.5 billion, up 15% year-on-year. This result reflects the sector’s persistent efforts amid a highly volatile market, especially policy shocks from the US Although signs of slowdown emerged in the third quarter due to countervailing taxes, key product groups still maintained strong momentum and created a foundation for full-year exports to reach USD 11 billion.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s agreement with the United States on a framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade—reached during the 2025 ASEAN Summit in Malaysia—has generated strong optimism for Vietnamese exports, including tuna. Numerous positive points in the joint statement have raised high expectations for Vietnamese export goods, but turning these expectations into tangible benefits remains a long and challenging journey.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the conference on “Linking the Production and Consumption Chain of Ca Mau Crab 2025,” Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee Lê Văn Sử posed a central question: how to shift the province’s crab exports toward official trade channels, instead of relying heavily on small-scale border trade with China as currently practiced.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The whitefish market in Japan is showing a clear divergence among supplying countries, in which Vietnam continues to affirm its role as a stable and high-potential exporter. Vietnam currently ranks third after the US and Russia in whitefish export value to Japan. Thanks to tariff incentives and the ability to meet Japan’s strict standards, Vietnamese pangasius continues to record a stable and positive growth trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The People's Committee of Ca Mau Province has just issued a plan to expand the super-intensive, low-water-exchange, biosecure white-leg shrimp farming model (RAS-IMTA) for whiteleg shrimp farming to a scale of 1,500 hectares, aiming to develop high-tech, sustainable and environmentally friendly shrimp farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company (HNX: SGC) plans to issue over 7.1 million shares to raise nearly 465 Billion VND for Hoan Ngoc M&A Deal.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Rabobank, global tilapia production is forecast to exceed 7 million tons in 2025, driven by a strong recovery in major producing countries including China, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Among them, Vietnam is emerging as a potential tilapia supplier in the global supply chain, capitalizing on market fluctuations to expand production and exports.
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