The most exported products to the US market were frozen loin/fillets tuna (HS code 0304), accounting for 62%. At the same time, exports also climbed sharply by nearly 58% over the same period in 2018, reaching to US$99 million. Canned tuna accounted for the second largest proportion at 23%, reaching a turnover of US$37 million, up 37%. The third most exported product was other processed tuna, accounting for 14%, also up strongly by 179% with US$22 million, mainly skipjack and steamed yellowfin tuna loin.
According to the statistics of the World Trade Center, the demand for US tuna imports increased by 5.6% in the first 4 months of 2019. Of which, canned tuna imports still accounted for the highest proportion of the total tuna import value of the US at 58%. However compared to the same period in 2018, this product line declined by 2%. US imports of frozen tuna loin/fillet products accounted for the second largest proportion, accounting for 23% and tended to increase, up 30% over the same period in 2018.
In the market segment of frozen tuna filets/loin, Vietnam is currently the second supplier for the US market, accounting for 31%, after Indonesia at 44%. Followed by Philippines at 7%, Taiwan at 2.9% and Canada at 2.8%. In general, at the beginning of this year, the US has tended to increase imports of this product line from other suppliers.
Meanwhile, in the segment of processed and canned tuna products, Vietnam ranked third, accounting for 9.5% of market share, after Thailand (46%) and Ecuador (14%). In the first 4 months of this year, the US declined 2.4% of processed tuna import value, of which imports from Thailand went down by 3.3%, while still sharply increasing imports from Ecuador and Vietnam.
Besides, in the past 2 years, the US has tended to increase imports of tuna family products, of which China was the largest exporter of tuna family products to the US. In the first quarter of 2019, the US imported only 1,304 tons from China, equal to one third of the total import volume compared to the same period in 2018.
This decline was likely due to the China - US trade war, as the tax rate for these items from China has increased from 4% to 10%. However, the prices of these products were still significantly lower than that of skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, or traditional longfin tuna, which were subjected to 12.5% of tax rate.
However, from 12:01 am on May 10, 2019, the US officially imposed a new import tax rate, increasing from 10% to 25%, for tuna products from China. This has reduced the competitiveness of Chinese tuna family products in the US market. US companies, therefor, will move to Thailand and Vietnam to find frozen tuna loin suppliers.
(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.
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