The decline occurred in almost all commodity groups, except for processed tuna HS code 16 (mainly frozen steamed tuna loin). In which, exports of frozen tuna meat/loin with HS code 0304 fell the most by 55%, exports of fresh/frozen/dried tuna decreased by 54% and canned tuna decreased by 46%.
2022 is a remarkable year for Vietnam's tuna industry as the export turnover reached a record of more than 1 billion USD, an increase of 34% compared to 2021. However, this growth is thanks to the strong growth in the domestic market in the first 3 quarters of 2022. In the fourth quarter, under the impact of inflation, Vietnam's tuna export decreased.This trend will continue in the first months of 2023. Unsurprisingly, tuna exports to main markets in January 2023 fell sharply.
The structure of Vietnam's tuna import market this month has changed . Notably, exports to new markets like Korea and Taiwan grew by 457% and 105% over the same period.
The US is still Vietnam's largest tuna importer, but the proportion of this market decreased compared to 2022. The value of tuna exports to this market in January 2023 was just over US$16 million, down 63% over the same period. Although inflation in the US has slowed down, concerns about a continued economic downturn are causing consumers to be more cautious in spendings. This is affecting US tuna imports from other countries.
Along with the US, the EU also recorded a sharp decline in the first month of 2023, down 42%, reaching nearly 9 million USD. This decline has caused the share of this market to decrease. The EU has dropped to the third position among the largest importers of Vietnamese tuna. The key tuna export markets in this market block in January were Germany, which increased by 25%, the Netherlands by 52% and Spain by 52%.
Meanwhile, exports to Israel recovered with an impressive growth rate of nearly 80% over the same period.
In the CPTPP market, Vietnam's tuna exports in January only increased slightly by 6%. Tuna exports to the largest import market in this block, Canada, decreased by 29%, but exports to Japan and Peru increased by 38% and 53%.
Vietnam's tuna export outlook in the first months of the year has not yet prospered as the world economy is forecasted to fall into a recession this year.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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