Mixed signals from major markets
The U.S remains the leading market, accounting for 37% of total export value with $261 million but declined 5% year-on-year. In September alone, exports fell 17% compared to same month in 2024. The primary reason is U.S. importers front-loading purchases in early 2025 to avoid new retaliatory tariffs, resulting in high inventory levels and intensifying price competition.
In contrast, the EU maintained growth momentum, reaching $160 million (+3%). Some member states showed notable growth: Italy (+19%) and the Netherlands (+37%), while Germany dropped 24%. This indicates Vietnamese firms are gradually adapting to the EU’s sustainability standards and traceability standards.
The CPTPP recorded $96 million (+9%), driven by Japan (+15%) and Canada (+17%), reflecting the positive impact of tariff preferences within the agreement. However, Mexico and Chile saw slight declines.
Notably, Thailand - a major seafood processing hub - increased Vietnamese tuna imports by 83% to $28 million, underscoring Vietnam’s growing role in the regional supply chain for steamed tuna loins used in canned tuna production. Meanwhile, Egypt surged 146%, signaling emerging opportunities in the Middle East and Africa region.
Rising export product value
By product structure, fresh and frozen tuna (HS03) reached $383 million, representing 54% of total value, nearly unchanged from a year earlier. Within this, HS0304 - the flagship category - edged up 2%.
Conversely, processed and canned tuna (HS16) totaled $322 million, down 6%. Notably, canned tuna - accounting for nearly two-thirds of this segments - fell 9%, due to lower domestic raw material availability, increased imports, rising input prices and logistics costs, while selling prices failed to keep pace.
This growth pattern reflects a structural shift: firms are focusing more on high-value-added products such as loins, steak cuts and similar items.
Outlook
Globally, 2025 U.S and European tuna import demand is stabilizing but competition is intensifying. Importers prioritize MSC-certified, IUU-compliant and fully traceability standards. Meanwhile, Japan is increasing imports of frozen tuna for sashimi and premium products, creating opportunities for Vietnamese processors to upgrade processing lines.
Given the slight slowdown in Q3, Vietnam’s 2025 tuna exports are projected at $930 - 950 million, a modest decline from 2024. To sustain growth, enterprises must diversify market - expanding into the Middle East and Africa - while accelerating high-value and certified sustainable products to mitigate trade barrier risks and pricing pressures.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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
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