In which exports of raw tuna products (HS 03 code) reached US$120.3 million, accounting for 70 percent and increasing 60 percent compared to the same period of 2011; exports of processed products (HS 16 code) touched US$55 million, rising 45.7 percent.
Tuna shipments to 10 key markets made up over 80 percent of total tuna exports in the nationwide. While tuna exports to markets reported positive growth, however exports to the U.S. and Iran reduced by 3.3 percent and 76 percent, respectively over 2011.
Tuna exports to the U.S. (the traditional largest tuna consumer of Vietnam) achieved US$75.8 million, making up 43.3 percent of total Vietnam tuna export value in the first four months of 2012.
Delivering tuna to the U.S., domestic exporters face competitiveness of other suppliers such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia... Besides, trade and technical barriers and high freight cost are also exposing hindrance to tuna exporters.
According to Vietnam Customs, in recent years, tuna exports to the U.S. were stable. However, in 2012, tuna exports to the market performed unstably. Compared to the same period of 2011, exports to the U.S in January reached US$14.5 million (down 34 percent), US$16.2 million in February (up 32.5 percent), US$24.6 million in March (a surprisingly increase of 15 percent). But in April, tuna exports to the market only reached over US$20 million, down 16 percent compared to the previous month and 10.5 percent compared to April 2011.
In Jan – Apr 2012, tuna exports to the U.S are mostly fresh and frozen products (HS 03 code) with the export value of over US$50 million, making up 70 percent of total Vietnam tuna exports to the market and reducing by nearly 15 percent compared to the same period of 2011 while exports of processed tuna (HS 16 code) reached US$24.7 million, up 34.2 percent.
The U.S.’s demand for value added products is increasingly high. This is an opportunity for tuna exporters to aggressively diversify their exported products, particularly value added ones to speed up exporting and satisfy the demand.
According to the Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), in the first three months of 2012, the U.S. imported 55.8 thousand MT of tuna, worth by US$311 million from 48 suppliers in the world. In the list of tuna suppliers for the U.S., Vietnam overtook Indonesia to hold the third position after Thailand and the Philippines with imported volume of 4.6 thousand MT and the value of US$31 million, making up 10 percent of total tuna import value of the U.S.
Now, due to global economic headwinds, some rivals of Vietnam in the U.S. market have signs of reducing tuna export value to the U.S. compared to the same period of 2011. Thailand’s tuna exports sank 10 percent, Indonesia reduced 31 percent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(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.
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