In May 2023 alone, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US, Japan, Canada and Thailand tended to decline. Meanwhile, exports to the EU have recovered.
The export market is gloomy
Among 97 import markets, the US is still the largest single import market of Vietnamese tuna, accounting for 37%. As of May this year, tuna exports to this market reached US$117 million, down 53%. Particularly in May, exports to this market decreased by 45% over the same period last year.
According to FAS.USDA data, in the first 4 months of 2023, total tuna imports into the US reached more than 99 thousand tons, worth US$662 million, down 10% in volume and 23% in value over the same period in 2022. Exports from most tuna suppliers to the US all declined.
Currently, inventories in the US market have gradually decreased, inflation has also decreased, but people are still facing previous debts, so consumer demand has not really recovered. In that context, US importers are more cautious. Therefore, at least by the end of this year, US tuna imports can recover.
Among 97 import markets, the US is still the largest single import market of Vietnamese tuna, accounting for 37%
Along with the US, tuna exports to markets participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) also declined in May 2023. Export turnover to this market sector decreased by 18%, reaching more than 10 million USD. Accumulated in the first 5 months of the year, export turnover reached more than 46 million USD, down 15%. The cause of the decline in exports to this market sector is that exports to the two largest markets in the bloc, Japan and Canada, both dropped sharply in May 2023, by 32% and 31% respectively.
In the Japanese market, prolonged inflation pushed commodity prices up. Although commodity prices have been adjusted thanks to the government's energy subsidy programs, they still put pressure on consumption activities, reducing the purchasing power of Japanese households. This has affected the country's tuna imports.
Contrary to the US and CPTPP, tuna exports to the EU increased in May, with an increase of 15% over the same period, reaching nearly 17 million USD. This growth is due to the growth of the two largest import markets in the bloc, Germany and the Netherlands. In May alone, exports to these two markets increased by 66% and 172%, respectively.
Tuna exports to Israel also continued to increase strongly in May with an increase of 110%. This growth has contributed to bringing the total export turnover to this market in the first 5 months of the year to nearly 21 million USD, an increase of 83%.
Competition increases
In the context of a difficult market, tuna prices in Bangkok are climbing to a peak, while skipjack prices in Manta remain stable. Price of frozen whole skipjack tuna with size > 1.8kg delivered in Manta, Ecuador fluctuates at 1,800 USD - 1,825 USD/ton. This is putting a lot of pressure on Asian tuna producers, including Vietnam.
Vietnam’s tuna processing and exporting enterprises face more and more difficulties. Therefore, businesses expect the Prime Minister to quickly come up with practical support policies for businesses such as lowering interest rates, developing infrastructure, and adjusting policies to support imports of raw materials.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
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
