According to data from Vietnam Customs, the export turnover of tuna products from Vietnam in the first month of the year dropped by 16% compared to the same period, reaching over 66 million USD.
Among the various tuna product categories, all experienced a decline, except for fresh, frozen, and dried tuna (HS03 code) — excluding frozen tuna meat/loin (HS0304). Canned tuna exports saw the most significant decline, with a 36% decrease compared to the same period. This decline is attributed to the shortage of supply from domestic tuna fleets, making it difficult for Vietnamese canned tuna products to compete in markets with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like the EU, CPTPP, etc.
Vietnam’s tuna exports in January 2025 to major markets such as the US, EU, Israel, Japan, and Canada have all decreased compared to the same period last year.
Tuna exports to the US dropped slightly by 2%, totaling nearly 26 million USD. With concerns over potential tax increases, US importers increased their imports in the last months of 2024, which has led to high inventory levels in the early months of 2025. Moreover, fears over President Donald Trump's decision to impose new tariffs have caused US importers to limit new order placements. These factors are expected to impact tuna imports in the US during the early months of 2025.
Exports to the EU were also not promising in the first month, decreasing by 13%. Notably, canned tuna exports to this market dropped sharply by 21% compared to the same period. The preferential tariff quotas under the EVFTA agreement have been reactivated, but the ongoing shortage of domestic tuna supply continues to hinder canned tuna exports to this market.
Exports to markets within the CPTPP bloc also showed little improvement. Exports to Japan and Canada decreased significantly, with a reduction of 26% and 36%, respectively.
In 2025, the global tuna market is expected to continue fluctuating due to changes in consumer behavior, tariff policies, and supply-demand volatility. The free trade agreements between Vietnam and other countries will provide advantages for Vietnamese tuna exports to markets such as the EU, UAE, Japan, Canada, and more. However, meeting the origin rules remains a major challenge for the Vietnamese tuna industry. Standards for traceability, sustainable fishing, and combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing are becoming mandatory conditions in major markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 27, the Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and businesses from both countries, organized the online seminar “Vietnam–India Seafood Trade Forum and Supply-Demand Connectivity 2026.” The event aimed to promote trade cooperation, investment, and seafood supply chain connectivity between Vietnam and India amid the ongoing restructuring of global markets.
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