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) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
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