However, in July, Vietnam's tuna exports to some main markets have tended to go down. Specifically, tuna exports to Israel and ASEAN continued to decline. Besides, after a period of good growth, exports to the EU and China in July dropped. In contrast, exports to Japan have a good recovery.
The US
In July, the US continued to increase tuna imports from Vietnam. The share of the US in total tuna exports of Vietnam is increasing and now accounts for 44%. By the end of July 2019, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US reached US $ 189 million, up nearly 61% over the same period in 2018. This shows the export trend in the first half of this year, most of the Vietnamese tuna products are exported to the US market after exports to EU and Israel slid.
EU
This year, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU were not very favorable. After the recovery in the second quarter of 2017, Vietnam's tuna exports in July were not satisfactory. Tuna export value of Vietnam to this market in July 2019 decreased by 20%, reaching US$10 million. Therefore, in the first 7 months of 2019, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU was only nearly US$82 million, down by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2018.
In July, while exports to Italy continued to increase incredibly by 337% over the same period.Tuna exports to Germany and the Netherlands continuously dropped.
The US have increased import tax on Chinese tuna products in this year, so China have switched to export tuna to the EU.This has led to increased competitiveness in the EU tuna market. Besides, tuna inventory in the EU is currently at a high level. All of these have affected EU tuna imports from Vietnam.
Japan
Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan continued to have good growth in July 2019. This has helped to raise the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to this market in the first 7 months of 2019, up from the same period in 2018. Exports of frozen tuna loin/fillets from Vietnam to this market continuously declined.
ASEAN
In July, Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN reversed to increase. Tuna export value of Vietnam to this market increased by 47% over the same period, reaching US$5.5 million. However, due to the decline in previous months, the total export value in 7 months still declined by 2.5%. The growth in exports to ASEAN in July was due to the growth in tuna exports to Thailand in this month. This year, exports of processed tuna from Vietnam to Thailand decreased, while exports of fresh/live and frozen tuna increased over the same period.
It is forecasted that Vietnam's tuna exports in the coming months will continue the current growth momentum.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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