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.
(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