The U.S
In December, Vietnam's Tuna export to the US continued to grow well. Tuna export value to this market reached nearly US$ 21 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2017. In 2018, Tuna export value to the US still increased by 1.7% compared to 2017; this helped the US retain its leading position in Vietnam's Tuna export markets. However, the proportion of Tuna export to the US in 2018 was only 35%, lower than in 2017.
EU
In the last 3 months of 2018, the export value of Vietnamese Tuna to the EU continued to decline. The reason was due to large inventories having prevented EU importers from buying. Besides, the price of Tuna in the last months of the year cooled down, causing the export value of this market in December fell 0.6%, reaching US$ 13 million. Due to the export of Tuna to EU having improved in the previous months, the total value of Tuna export in 2018 still increased by 11.5%, reaching US$ 158 million.
The top 3 biggest Tuna export markets of Vietnam in the EU changed in 2018. With the impressive growth continuously at 3 digits in the past months, Spain was occupying the top position with a total export value of US$30 million, followed by Netherlands with US$ 25 million. Meanwhile, export of Tuna to Germany continued to decline, which caused this market to drop to the 3rd position. This year, supply from Ecuador was limited due to lower catches. At the same time, pushing high price of Tuna in Malta made Spain and the Netherlands increased imports of Tuna from Vietnam and other countries to compensate for the shortage.
Israel
After a period of stable growth, Vietnam's Tuna export to Israel in December suddenly dropped. Tuna export value to this market decreased by 15%. However, the decrease was not so much, therefore the total value of Tuna export to Israel in 2018 still increased 42% year on year, reaching US$ 63 million, accounting for 9.6%. The proportion of Tuna export from Vietnam to Israel was higher, accounting for 9.6% in 2018. Israel continued to be the 4th largest Tuna export market of Vietnam for two consecutive years.
ASEAN
Like the EU, Vietnam's Tuna export to ASEAN continued to decline in the last 3 months of 2018. However, thanks to good growth in the previous months, the total value of Tuna export to this market in 2018 still increased by 14%, reaching US$50 million.
Thailand continued to be Vietnam's largest Tuna export market in ASEAN. Contrary to 2017, Vietnam's Tuna export to Thailand in 2018 increased. Tuna export value to this market reached US$33 million, up 29% compared to the same period in 2017.
Japan
Tuna exports to Japan in the last months of the year were very bleak. The value of Tuna export decreased continuously every month. However, including 2018, exporting Tuna to this market still increased by 1.7%, reaching US$25 million. This year, although Japanese seafood imports improved due to economic recovery and increased incomes, this trend has not been seen in Tuna industry. Besides, due to the high supply of domestic Tuna from Japan thanks to the support policy of the Japanese government, importing fresh and frozen Tuna of this country decreased.
It is forecast that Tuna export of Vietnam in 2019 is likely to prosper.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn