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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(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 - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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