In the first half of this year, export of live/fresh/frozen tuna had a good growth rate. In contrast, export of canned tuna grew slowly. Particularly, other tuna processed products (frozen skipjack/yellowfin tuna loin, bagged yellowfin/skipjack tuna in oil, frozen tuna flake...) tended to decrease over the same period in 2018.
In general, the main markets for Vietnam's tuna exports have grown well as of the end of June compared to the same period except Israel, ASEAN and Japan. Notably in this quarter, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU has grown again.
The US
In the last 3 months, tuna exports to the US still maintains good growth momentum. In the first 6 months of 2019, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US reached US$159 million, up 61% compared to the same period in 2018.
From May 10, 2019, the US officially imposed a new tax on Chinese tuna industry, up from 10% to 25%. China was the main tuna exporter for the US market. The country is holding the majority of market share in the frozen tuna loin market segment of the US. This has led American companies to find alternative supplies from other countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. Therefore, compared to the same period in 2018, the export of Vietnamese tuna products to the US rose.
The EU
After the difficulties in raw materials imports in the first months of the year were solved, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU in the second quarter of 2019 recovered, partly offseting the decline in the first 3 months of the year. Total tuna export value of Vietnam to the EU in the first 6 months of 2019 reached nearly US$71 million, up by 0.7% year on year.
With outstanding growth in June, Italy has become the largest tuna importer of Vietnam in the EU. Compared to the same period in 2018, Italy tended to increase imports of live/fresh and frozen tuna of Vietnam. In addition, notably export other processed tuna (such as frozen steamed tuna loins ...), raw materials for processing canned tuna, also increased sharply over the same period last year.
While tuna exports to the Netherlands in June dropped. However, due to good export growth of the previous 5 months, Vietnam's tuna export value to this market in the first 6 months still climbed over the same period. The Netherlands was the largest importer of frozen tuna fillet/loin code of HS0304 in the EU, accounting for more than 31% of the total import value of this product line from Vietnam.
Japan
In June, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan showed positive signs. However, due to continuous decline in the previous 5 months, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan in the first 6 months of 2019 was still down 9% compared to the same period in 2018. Overall, export of tuna products of Vietnam to Japan all increased over the same period, except for frozen tuna fillet/loin. In particular, the export proportion of canned processed tuna of Vietnam to Japan tended to go up so far.
It is forecasted that Vietnam's tuna exports in the coming time will continue to grow. Two new-generation trade agreements, CPTPP and EVFTA, are expected to bring more opportunities to penetrate market for Vietnamese businesses.
(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