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.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
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