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) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius industry is shifting its focus from increasing production volume to enhancing value-added products in order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets. In An Giang Province—the country's leading hub for pangasius farming and processing—businesses and farmers are prioritizing product quality, traceability, food safety, and sustainable development rather than expanding output.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following strong growth in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Sweden continued to edge higher during the first five months of 2026. However, the picture is far from straightforward. Orders have fluctuated significantly from month to month, indicating that this market remains cautious, with purchasing decisions closely tied to actual demand and the import cycles of Nordic distributors rather than to a steady upward trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports in the first five months of 2026 continued to surpass the same period in 2025, indicating that demand in the world’s largest seafood-consuming market remains strong. However, behind the growth figures lies an increasingly competitive landscape: Ecuador dominates the competitively priced whiteleg shrimp segment, India remains the second-largest supplier, while Vietnam stands out in the lobster segment but still needs to strengthen its advantages through quality, traceability, and reliable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Lobster exports to China continued to surge in the first half of this year, putting the lobster industry on the verge of reaching an export value exceeding $1 billion.
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