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
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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