Sales of frozen tuna loins/fillets (HS code 0304) remained the largest share of over 48% of total Vietnam’s tuna exports in Jan-Jun 2017, with the value of US$129 million; followed by those of canned tuna with 30%, worth by US$81 million, up 33%; those of other processed tuna exports accounted for 15% with the value of US$39 million; and those of fresh/live/frozen/dried tuna HS code 03 (except for HS code 0304) made up 7.8%, with the value of US$21 million.
Currently, Vietnam tuna was exported to 97 countries in the world, up from the same period last year, which helped to boost Vietnam’s tuna exports in the first half of 2017.
Top 8 major importers of Vietnam tuna was unchanged from QI/2017, including the U.S, the EU, Israel, ASEAN, Japan, Canada, China and Mexico and accounting for 88% of Vietnam’s total tuna exports. In the first half of 2017, tuna exports to Mexico experienced the impressive growth of 125%. With such a high growth rate, the country overtook Canada and China to rank the 6th out of the leading importing markets of Vietnam tuna.
The U.S
Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S slightly decreased in the first 2 months of the year, but then rebounded. The figure in Jan-Jun 2017 totaled US$108 million, up 16% year on year. As of June 2017, Vietnam’s exports of tuna items to the U.S all continued the year-on-year rise. Vietnam’s exports of frozen tuna loins/fillets kept the highest proportion of 60% of Vietnam's tuna exports. In QII/2017, Vietnam's processed tuna exports to the U.S continued to increase sharply.
The EU
Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU continued to show signs of recovery. The figure in the first six months of this year valued at US$58 million, a rise of 14% over the same period in 2016. Through June 2017, sales of frozen tuna loins/fillets continue to pick up the main share of 40% of the total export value to the market; followed by canned tuna with 34%. Notably, Vietnam's fresh/live/frozen tuna exports to the market are being boosted, while those of other processed tuna to the EU continued to decline year on year.
Japan
Vietnam’s tuna exports to Japan in the first half of 2017 achieved US$10.6 million, up 22.5% from a year before. Exports of tuna items to Japan in QII/2017 went on the rise. Shipments of processed/canned tuna remained to make up the highest proportion of 55% and climbed up 39% year on year. Compared to QI/2017, the growth rate of tuna exports to Japan slowed down.
ASEAN
Vietnam's tuna exports to in the first six months of the year reached US$19 million, down 9% year on year. This was driven by the decline in exports of processed/canned tuna, especially other processed tuna (steamed tuna steak, frozen tuna flake).
Forecast
Ocean tuna fishing season came to an end, but thanks to the favorable weather, tuna output in provinces got good results. In the next few months, tuna production expected to slightly decrease, so enterprises will have to increase tuna imports from other countries.
As tuna prices on world markets soar, demand in major markets such as the U.S and the EU will be affected. The growth rate of exports to these markets will slow down. However, exports to other markets such as Israel, Mexico and Canada expected to go on increasing, Vietnam’s tuna exports in the coming time expected to continue the rise.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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