Specifically, according to the statistics of Vietnam Customs, tuna export value in September reached US$53 million, down 2.4% compared to the same period in 2018. However, thanks to the positive growth in previous month, the total tuna export value in the first 9 months of 2019 still increased by 15.4% over the same period in 2018, reaching nearly US$547 million.
The US
Vietnamese tuna exports to the US in September continued to maintain a positive growth rate, up 39% compared to September 2018. With this growth rate, the proportion of the US market in total tuna exports of Vietnam is also increasing.
According to experts, Vietnam is benefiting from the US-China trade war. In the first 9 months of 2019, export of processed tuna (except for HS 16), of which mainly frozen skipjack/yellowfin tuna loin went up by 184% compared to the same period in 2018. Canned tuna exports increased by 32% while frozen tuna loin HS0304 increased by 51%.
EU
Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU tend to decrease. Particularly in September, tuna exports to the EU declined by more than 33%. Therefore, the total value of Vietnamese tuna exports in the first 9 months of 2019 still slid by nearly 10%, reaching more than US$106 million.
By the end of September 2019, the 3 largest tuna importers of Vietnam in the EU had changed. Spain is currently leading with a proportion of 3.6%, with import value reaching nearly US$20 million in the first 9 months of 2019, followed by Italia at 3% and Netherlands at 2.0%.
Notably, in September, Vietnamese tuna exports to these markets went down simultaneously. Particularly, thanks to good growth in the previous months, so in the first 9 months of 2019, Vietnamese tuna export value to Italia still increased by 25.8% over the same period.
Among Vietnamese tuna export products to the EU, only live/fresh/frozen and dried tuna HS code 03 (except frozen tuna loin HS0304) increased over the same period in 2018. Exports of other tuna products all declined.
ASEAN
Vietnamese tuna exports to ASEAN in September decreased by 24% after continuous growth in the previous 2 months.Therefore, the total tuna export value of Vietnam in the first 9 months still decreased by 4.4% over the same period, reaching US$37.5 million.
The decline in Vietnamese tuna export value to this market is due to a decrease in exports to Thailand, the largest importer in the bloc. This year, Vietnamese exports of fresh, frozen and dried tuna products to Thailand have increased sharply by 122%. Meanwhile, processed tuna exports, the main export item of Vietnam, decreased 21% over the same period.
Japan
Contrary to the trend of Vietnamese tuna exports to ASEAN, exports to Japan in September continued to rise. Tuna export value of Vietnam to this market lifted by 19.4% compared to September 2018, As a result, the total tuna export value to Japan in the first 9 months increased by 7.3% compared to the same period in 2018.
Most Vietnamese tuna export products to Japan all climbed over the same period in 2018, except for frozen tuna loins HS0304. In 2018, frozen tuna loin code HS0304 was the main export item of Vietnam to Japan, in 2019 other processed tuna products are dominating. The export value of other processed tuna products accounted for more than 46%. Besides, the export of canned tuna to Japan also tends to increase.
Given this situation, it is expected that tuna exports in the last months of 2019 will likely continue to decline.
(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
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