However, tuna sector is still coping with many big concerns. In the first two months of 2013, Vietnam seafood exports reached US$778.5 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 0.6 percent. However, tuna exports saw an impressive growth of 33 percent with a revenue of US$98.5 million in Jan-Feb 2013.
According to VASEP, strong growth in tuna exports were attributable to increasing global demand exceeding the supply. In 2012 and the first months of 2013, tuna catch volume saw a strong reduction in many fishing grounds in the world.
In the early 2013, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed to set up fishing quota for bluefin tuna in Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Accordingly, in 2013, tuna fishing will stop after the quota of 10,000 MT was met. Many major fishing grounds in the world are temporarily closed or their fish stocks reported a sharp decrease.
Tuna consumption is witnessing a recovery. In the late 2012, EU – one of large consumers of tuna in the world – decided to increase an annual 22,000 MT duty-free tuna quota (from 15,000 MT) for the period 2013 – 2016.
Strong growth in tuna exports were mainly due to good tuna landings this year. The Government and fishermen strengthened investing into fishing vessels which led to a sharp increase in catch volume, Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, Chairwoman of VASEP Marine Product Committee said.
Tuna landings in 2013 are expected to reach a record level of 17,000-18,000
Despite high catch, tuna quality is not good as before. Before, fishermen use longline for tuna catching (catch tuna from the depth of 70 - 100 meters): Low productivity but high quality. Now they shifted to catch tuna using pole and line: High productivity but lower quality.
To ensure a sustainable development for tuna sector, it is important to find out the best method of fishing and preserving to keep tuna’s good quality before processing, Nguyen Thu Sac continued.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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