Tuna processing and exporting enterprises are facing many difficulties because of uncertainties of the market, rising raw price and production costs.
Skipjack tuna prices hit a peak
Continuously from the beginning of the year, tuna catches remained low, causing a decrease in the supply of raw materials. This has pushed skipjack prices to peaks.
The price of frozen whole skipjack tuna with size >1.8kg in Bangkok, after a slight decrease from $1,750/ton to $1,700/ton, stabilized in February. However, lower catches has led to a decrease in the amount of skipjack tuna arriving at Bangkok ports, causing prices to increase significantly.
The price of frozen whole skipjack tuna with size >1.8kg in Bangkok rose to $2,050/ton in May, an increase of nearly 21% in just 3 months, and an increase of 8% over the same period. This is the highest price in the past 5 years.
Low demand in key markets
Tuna exports to traditional markets all decreased in April. Besides, some new markets still increased strongly such as Israel up 49%, Thailand up 486% and Russia up 486%.
Tuna exports to traditional markets all decreased in April
Export to the US market continues to fall deeply. The US economic situation is getting worse and worse, and consumers are becoming more cautious. Americans are gradually cutting back on spending on low-value items, they buy less non-essential groceries, buy in bulk... According to CNN, major US chain stores including Nordstrom, Walmart , Whole Foods, Starbucks and CVS have recently closed in several major US cities, raising alarm bells about the future of retail in the country. This situation has caused Vietnam's tuna exports to the US to continue to decrease by 60% in April 2023. And cumulatively in the first 4 months of the year, tuna exports to this market decreased by 55%, reaching nearly $90 million. The proportion of tuna export turnover to the US from 55% in the first 4 months of 2022 has decreased to 36% in the same period this year.
Tuna exports to the EU, after a slight increase of 5% in March, reversed in April. Export value to this market in April was only nearly 11 million USD, down 28% over the same period. In the first 4 months of 2023, the export turnover to this market decreased by 9%, reaching more than 48 million USD.
In April, Vietnam tuna exports to Lithuania showed significant growth, surpassing Italy and becoming the EU's third largest import market of Vietnamese tuna after Germany and the Netherlands. Exports to Germany also experienced an increase of 25% during the same period. In the CPTPP market bloc, after continuously increasing imports of Vietnamese tuna in the first 3 months of 2023, exports to Japan experienced a 25% decline in April. Exports to Mexico and Chile saw significant increases of 117% and 78% respectively compared to the previous year.
The challenging export market has made it difficult for businesses to secure orders and acquire capital for raw materials, affecting the reserve of fishermen. To support fishermen and maintain production, companies have increased processed tuna production and explored new markets. However, export orders have sharply decreased, resulting in increased inventories. Additionally, rising input costs have led most businesses to operate cautiously and seek state support.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(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
