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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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