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
(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