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
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
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