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.
(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