Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain double

Volatility persists, but the trend is improving

Over the past two years, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain have experienced considerable fluctuations. In 2024, export values were relatively stable, hovering around moderate levels throughout the year. In 2025, the market recorded strong growth in certain months such as September, November, and December, but also saw notable declines in others, resulting in a 5% drop in the cumulative value for the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

In 2026, January alone reached over USD 1.81 million—nearly double the figure of the same period last year—while February continued to grow by more than twofold year-on-year. These signals suggest that Spanish importers have resumed purchasing earlier in the year.

Spain remains a highly promising market

Spain continues to be one of the world’s largest seafood markets. According to the USDA’s Spain Seafood Report 2025, Spain ranked as the world’s fourth-largest seafood importer in 2024 and has the largest seafood processing industry in Europe. It also has the second-highest per capita seafood consumption in the EU, at 41.92 kg per person per year. This highlights Spain’s role not only as a major consumption market but also as a key processing and redistribution hub within the EU.

For tuna specifically, import trends in Spain and the EU present a mixed picture. On one hand, demand for raw tuna materials for processing remains strong. EUMOFA reports that from January to September 2025, EU imports of skipjack tuna from outside the bloc increased by 9% in volume and 10% in value, with imports from Vietnam rising by 28% year-on-year. On the other hand, Spain’s skipjack imports during the same period declined by 8% in volume to 99,105 tons, while import prices rose by 5%, with major suppliers including Ecuador and China. EUMOFA also notes that tuna imports into Spain typically peak in January, reflecting clear seasonality.

This partly explains why Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain surged in January 2026. As processing plants and distribution systems in Spain seek to replenish raw materials early in the year, suppliers offering tariff advantages, fast delivery, competitive pricing, and suitable products gain an edge. Vietnam has an opportunity to deepen its presence in this supply chain, particularly in processed tuna segments, frozen tuna loins, and products aligned with the growing demand for convenience among European consumers.

From a market perspective, consumption trends in Spain are also evolving. The USDA notes that consumers are increasingly interested in convenient, small-packaged, and easy-to-prepare products, while the foodservice sector saw volume growth in 2024 thanks to a strong tourism recovery. This trend supports value-added tuna products rather than reliance on raw material competition alone. However, EUMOFA also highlights that tuna consumption in the EU declined by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023, indicating ongoing pressure on household spending and greater price sensitivity.

Opportunities come with competition and regulatory pressure

In 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain are likely to remain more positive than in 2025 if growth momentum continues through the first quarter and the industry effectively leverages Spain’s demand for processing inputs. Opportunities stem from Spain’s role as a major tuna processing hub in the EU, the trend toward diversifying supply sources beyond traditional partners, and Vietnam’s increasing participation in the EU tuna supply chain. However, strong growth early in the year is not sufficient to guarantee full-year performance, as the Spanish market is highly seasonal and faces intense competition from Ecuador, China, the Philippines, and other major suppliers.

The biggest challenge for Vietnamese exporters remains the strict import requirements of the EU and Spain. According to Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, products entering the EU must meet conditions related to approved exporting countries and facilities, prior notification via the TRACES system, valid health certificates, and accompanying documentation, including proof of legal catch to combat IUU fishing. This means that while export growth potential exists, it can only be sustained if companies effectively manage traceability, technical documentation, product quality, delivery performance, and price competitiveness.