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.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn