The majority of the exports were fresh and frozen tuna, but compared to the same period last year, exports of these categories fell by 9.6 percent, while exports of processed tuna products went up by nearly 12 percent.
The exports went to 87 markets, with the US being the largest buyer, followed by the EU, ASEAN, and Japan, the association said.
Tuna exports to the US were worth 111.6 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 0.5 percent.
Exports of fresh and frozen tuna accounted for more than 76.8 million USD of total exports to the US, up nearly 11 percent over the same period last year, while exports of processed tuna (code HS 16) decreased by over 16 percent.
Exports to ASEAN member countries increased by 24.9 percent from the same period last year, but exports to the EU and Japan were down by 8.2 percent and 10.6 percent.
In the case of Japan, while fresh and frozen tuna shipments were down by 26.5 percent, exports of processed tuna enjoyed good growth of 10 percent.
The association forecasts that tuna exports to the US, ASEAN countries and China will continue to increase.
Le Hang, Deputy Director of VASEP.PRO, said Vietnam’s tuna products, especially processed ones, were subject to high tariffs in many import markets.
An ongoing trial project for tuna fishing, buying, processing, and consumption is expected to help improve quality and competitiveness, she said.
Israeli market
As a developed country in the Middle East region, Israel is a potential market for Vietnamese tuna products, according to the Africa, Southwest Asia Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Tuna exports to the market in the first half of the year were worth 8.6 million USD , a year-on-year increase of over 4 percent.
According to VASEP, Israel is one of eight key export markets of Vietnamese tuna.
With a population with an obesity rate at over 20 percent, the Israel Ministry of Health has recommended that residents consume tuna as a supplement of healthy omega 3-fatty acid.
Currently, exports of frozen tuna fillet (HS0304 code) to the market accounted for approximately 60 percent, and processed tuna (HS16 code) about 30 percent, it said.
According to UN Comtrade statistics, Thailand is the largest tuna exporter to Israel, with an export value of 18.6 million USD last year.
Israel’s tuna imports from China decreased from over 40 million USD in 2013 to 13.9 million USD last year.
Last year, Vietnam earned 15.5 million USD from tuna exports to Israel. The department said there is still more room for Vietnam to boost tuna exports to the market.
Source: VNA
(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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