Impressive seafood export turnover
According to data from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam's tuna exports in December 2024 reached nearly USD 86 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Cumulatively for the entire year 2024, tuna export turnover reached USD 989 million, a 17% increase compared to 2023.
Over the past year, exports of all Vietnamese tuna product groups increased year-on-year. Notably, exports of other processed tuna products, after a continuous decline in the first months of the year, experienced continuous growth in the final months, increasing by 24% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of total export turnover. In contrast, exports of canned tuna products tended to decline in the latter half of the year. Cumulatively for 2024, canned tuna exports increased by 17%.
Vietnam's frozen tuna meat/loin products still hold the highest proportion. Exports of this product group in 2024 rebounded and showed a rapid upward trend in the final months of the year.
Across markets, by the end of 2024, tuna exports to key markets remained higher than in 2023. However, export growth rates tended to be unstable in the second half of the year. Notably, tuna exports to the EU saw a slight rebound in December.
Along with the EU, tuna exports to Canada, after a period of decline, also accelerated in the final two months of the year. In December 2024 alone, tuna exports to Canada increased by 40% compared to the same period in 2023.
Conversely, exports to Japan have been declining continuously in the last two months of the year. In December 2024, exports to this market decreased by 27%. Exports to Israel also experienced a decline in December, with a 28% decrease compared to the same period.
Opportunities and challenges in 2025
Vietnam's tuna industry is expected to maintain its growth momentum in 2025 due to continued growth in demand for products. Furthermore, innovations in tariff policies in international markets, particularly in the US, are expected to provide a boost to exports.
Analysis suggests that in a potential second term of a US presidency under the previous administration, Vietnam could continue to benefit from high tariffs imposed on products imported from China. Additionally, the initial months following the reinstatement of tariff preferences under trade agreements present a favorable opportunity for businesses to increase exports to various markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(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.
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