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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
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