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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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