The export growth rate to main markets in August tended to slow down. In addition to the decline in exports to the EU, Israel and China, tuna exports to Canada in this month also showed signs of slipping.
The US
Tuna exports to the US were very positive in August with a growth rate of 31%. As a result, the total value of tuna exports to the US in the first 8 months of 2019 climbbed by 56% over the same period in 2018. Exports of tuna product groups of Vietnam to the US all have increased over the same period in 2018, except live, fresh, frozen and dried tuna (excluding frozen tuna filets/loin). Among the product groups, frozen tuna filets/loin remained the largest proportion of Vietnam's total tuna exports to the US at 63%. Although canned tuna products accounted for a smaller share, yet exports this products are growing rapidly.
EU
Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU have not recovered. Tuna export value to this market continued to go down over the same period in 2018, reaching only nearly US$96 million, down 6.3%. Notwithstanding, the good news was that exports to Italy and Spain, the two largest tuna importers in Europe, are increasing tuna imports from Vietnam. Currently Italia and Spain are also the two largest importers of Vietnamese tuna in the EU.
Italia increased imports of live, fresh, frozen and dried tuna (excluding frozen tuna filets/loin) and other processed tuna (frozen steamed tuna loin...) while Spain tended to rise import of canned tuna and frozen tuna loin/fillets.
In contrast, tuna exports to the Netherlands continued to decline in August. Hence, the total export value of tuna to this market in the first 8 months of 2019, down 11.5%, only reaching nearly US$15 million.
ASEAN
In August, Vietnamese tuna exports to ASEAN continued to climb. However, the amount of growth was still not enough to offset the decline in the previous months, so the export value in the first 8 months of 2019 only reached US$ 33 million, down 0.9% over the same period in 2018. At present, Vietnamese live, fresh, frozen and dried fresh tuna exports to ASEAN are on the rise, while canned tuna exports tends to decrease.
Japan
In August 2019 tuna exports to Japanese market continued to grow well, reaching US$3.2 million, up 48% over the same period in 2018. In particular, the export of Vietnamese tuna product groups to the US all rose over the same period in 2018, except for frozen tuna fillets/loin. Notably, the group of canned tuna products tended to climbbed over the same period in 2018.
It is forecasted that tuna exports shall go up in the last months of the year, yet the growth rate will be at average level.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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