June growth driven by a recovery in exports
According to Vietnam Customs, tuna exports reached nearly USD 72 million in June 2026, up 20% compared with the same month last year. This marked the first strong monthly rebound following several months of sluggish export performance.
Nevertheless, cumulative tuna exports for the first six months of 2026 totaled USD 355 million, down 5% year-on-year. Although the decline narrowed from 7% recorded after the first five months, the industry has yet to return to a growth trajectory.
Export growth was recorded in 18 out of the top 20 markets, with the strongest increases seen in Russia (+83%), the Philippines (+31%), the United Arab Emirates (+29%), Israel (+17%), and the CPTPP market (+6%).
The market picture remains highly fragmented. While some destinations have shown signs of recovery, others continue to struggle with weak demand.
U.S. market recovers slightly but tariffs remain a concern
Tuna exports to the United States reached nearly USD 35 million in June, up 6% year-on-year after a prolonged period of decline. This rebound reflects importers' efforts to rebuild inventories ahead of potential changes in U.S. tariff policies.
However, the growth remains modest. U.S. importers continue to exercise caution due to uncertainty surrounding future tariff measures. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's suspension of IEEPA tariff orders, the White House has announced plans to introduce new tariffs under Section 301, creating additional uncertainty for importers.
CATEX fails to revive the EU market
The European Union remains the biggest challenge. Tuna exports to the EU fell 18% in June.
Despite the implementation of the Vietnam–EU Countervailing Measures and Trade Enhancement (CATEX) initiative, the agreement has yet to generate a significant boost in export performance. Market demand remains weak, while European buyers continue to reduce inventories and purchase only when necessary.
Another concern is the new traceability and sustainability requirements under the EU's Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations and broader environmental policies. These stricter standards are forcing Vietnamese exporters to invest more heavily in compliance and supply chain transparency.
Indonesia gains ground as competition intensifies
While Vietnam faces headwinds in traditional markets, Indonesia is gradually strengthening its position in the EU.
Indonesia benefits from abundant tuna resources, preferential tariff treatment under several trade agreements, and a fishing fleet that has increasingly improved its ability to meet sustainability and traceability standards. As a result, Indonesian tuna is becoming more competitive in Europe.
This shift presents additional challenges for Vietnamese exporters, particularly as Indonesia continues to expand its market presence in the EU.
Rising freight costs add further pressure
In addition to weak demand, soaring ocean freight rates are placing increasing pressure on Vietnam's tuna exporters. Most tuna products are shipped over long distances to the U.S. and Europe, making logistics costs a critical factor affecting competitiveness.
Higher freight rates are driving up export costs, squeezing profit margins, and increasing delivery risks. For frozen tuna loins, cooked loins, canned tuna, and other processed products supplied to retail chains, much of the increased transport cost cannot be passed on to buyers.
As a result, the second half of 2026 will require exporters not only to secure new orders but also to optimize logistics, diversify markets, and improve operational efficiency in order to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging global market.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
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