In the context of saturated US and EU canned tuna consumption, Tunisia has become a potential alternative export market. In 2015, Vietnam's tuna exports to the market fell by 70% compared to 2014. In contrast, in 2016, canned tuna exports of Vietnam increased by 189% compared to 2015, accounting for more than 98% of the total export value to the market, reaching US$ 6.2 million.
Exports of all tuna products of Vietnam to the market increased compared to 2015. Canned tuna continued to be the main item of Vietnam exported to this market. The export value of this item in 2016 reached US$6.2 million, up 189% over 2015. It was followed by live/fresh/ frozen and dried tuna, reaching US$92 thousand.
According to ITC statistics, tuna imports into Tunisia in 2015 reached 17 thousand MT in 2015, worth US$ 24 million, down 24% in volume and 22% in value over 2014.
Contrary to the tuna import trend of Vietnam, Tunisia mainly imported frozen skipjack tuna (HS0303) (except for tuna loin/fillets) from countries, accounting for 64% of the country's total tuna imports. Next was canned tuna processed (HS16), accounting for 23%.
In 2015, Tunisia imported tuna from 17 countries around the world. In particular, Ghana, Thailand, India, New Zealand, France and Vietnam are the six leading exporters of tuna to Tunisi. Ghana's tuna products accounted for 42.4% of Tunisa's tuna imports, Thailand with 21.4%, India accounted for 13.4%, New Zealand accounted for 5.6%, France with 3%. , 4% and Vietnam accounted for 2.4%.
For canned tuna products, Thailand and Vietnam were the two largest exporters. In 2015, Tunisia's canned tuna consumption decreased, which affected the exports of these products from suppliers to Tusinia. In particular, exports of canned tuna from Thailand and Vietnam decreased by 40% and 73%, respectively. In general, canned tuna products of Vietnam mainly compete with Thai products.
Meanwhile, exports of frozen skipjack tuna (HS0303) from ASEAN countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam were modest. Ghana, India are leading exporters of this product to the market.
Tunisia's frozen skipjack imports are expected to continue to grow. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises can promote exports of this product to Tunisia. However, they should pay attention to the price to increase competitiveness.
|
TUNA IMPORTS INTO TUNISIA (US$thousand) |
|||
|
Products |
2014 |
2015 |
Variations (%) |
|
Frozen skipjack tuna (HS0303, ext fillet, loin) |
12,563 |
14,834 |
18.1 |
|
Canned processed tuna (HS16) |
11,360 |
5,721 |
-49.6 |
|
Live/fresh/ frozen and chilled tuna |
6,903 |
3,439 |
-50.2 |
|
Total |
30,826 |
23,994 |
-22.2 |
Written by Nguyen Ha
Compiled by Kim Thu
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn