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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
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
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