In Jan-Aug 2016, tuna export value reached the highest in June with the year-on-year growth of 20.6%; exports in February hit the lowest with the deepest decline of 20.6%. After the fluctuations in Jan-May 2016, tuna exports from June to August reported the continuous growth from the same month of 2015.
Up in fresh/frozen tuna sales, down in canned tuna
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s exports of fresh/frozen/live tuna (HS 03) continued to dominate with the proportion of 58.3% of the total exports from 54.4% of the same period last year. Processed tuna exports (HS code 16) accounted for 41.7%; down from 45.6% in the same period last year.
Compared with the same period last year, exports of live/fresh/frozen tuna increased by 9.5% to US$180.7 million while processed tuna exports (HS code 16) fell 6.7% to US$129 million. Notably, exports of frozen tuna loin (HS code 0304) and other processed tuna (HS code 16) increased by 14.3% and 11%, respectively over the same period last year. Sales of fresh/frozen/live tuna (except for frozen tuna loin HS code 0304) and canned tuna in the first 8 months of this year decreased by 13% and 13.3%, respectively over the same period of 2015.
Boost tuna exports to Asia
Top 8 importing markets of Vietnam tuna including the U.S., EU, ASEAN, China, Israel, Japan, Canada, Mexico; accounted for 88.2% of total tuna export value of Vietnam. Exports to top 5 major markets reported the surge except for the EU (-11.5%). In which exports to China witnessed the best growth of 68.5%; followed by ASEAN (+26.7%), Israel (18%) and the U.S. (+1%).
The U.S.: After the decline in previous months, tuna exports to the U.S. since Jun 2016 showed the recovery compared to the same month of 2015. Tuna export value to the U.S. in August rose by 5% over the same period, reaching US$17 million. The figure in the first 8 months of this year increased 1% to US$128.6 million.
The U.S. mainly imported tuna HS code 0304 (except for fish paste and surimi) from Vietnam with the value of US$83.7 million in Jan-Aug 2016.
EU: Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU in Aug 2016 reached US$8.4 million; up 4.6% compared to Aug 2015. However, the figure in Jan-Aug 2016 declined 6.8% to reach US$64.2 million.
Italy continued to be the largest market of Vietnamese tuna in the EU bloc. Tuna exports to the market in Aug 2016 increased by 207.7%; the figure in the first 8 months of this year rose by 120% to hit US$16.7 million. Tuna exports to Belgium increased by 16.3% while exports to Germany continued to decline.
ASEAN: In the first 8 months of this year, Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN only decreased in January, exports in the other months saw the good growth compared to the same month last year. In Aug 2016, Vietnam delivered nearly US$4 million of tuna to the market; rising 39.6% year on year. The total tuna export value in the first 8 months of the year to the market reached over US$29.5 million, up 26.7% over the same period in 2015.
Japan: Japan has slipped to the 6th position among top largest importing markets of Vietnam tuna through August 2016. Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan in August reached US$2 million, down 16.4% compared to the same period last year. The total export value in the first 8 months downed 11.5% to reach US$12.3 million.
Predictably, in the coming time, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. will continue to increase thanks to the TPP. Exports to the EU remains low due to high taxes. Thanks to positive growth in exports to the markets like ASEAN, China and Israel, Vietnam's tuna exports are forecast to rise in the last 4 months of this year.
By Kim Thu
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(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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