Looking back at tuna exports in 2020
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, in the first 11 months of 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports reached nearly 600 million USD, down 11% compared to the same period in 2019. In 2020, international markets had to suspend the trade activities in response to the pandemics. In some places, they applied the shutdown measures on restaurants, cafeterias, and crowded places. This has resulted in a decrease in consumption of tuna, especially fresh and frozen tuna products, in markets, the demand for long-preserved foods such as canned tuna in some markets roared.
This has a great impact on Vietnam's tuna exports. Vietnam's exports of fresh and frozen tuna contracted by 26% compared to the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, exports of processed and canned tuna products rose by 9%. This growth was mainly due to the growth in the export of canned tuna products.
Currently, Vietnamese tuna products have been exported to 106 markets around the world. Due to the impact of Covid-19, Vietnam's tuna exports to most major markets fell over the same period.
The US, EU, ASEAN, and Japan continued to be the four largest tuna importers of Vietnam. Tuna exports to the US and Southeast Asia tended to decrease over the same period in 2019 while exports to the EU and Japan climbed slightly over the same period. Notably, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU after a period of negative growth have reversed thanks to the impact of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Vietnam (EVFTA).
Besides, tuna exports to some other export markets have been showing positive growth, namely, Egypt and the Middle East. However, governments of the countries have taken measures to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic such as issuing a curfew at night, banning crowded gatherings, closing restaurants, leading to economic problems severely affected, the demand for food decreased. Moreover, Egypt has the policy to reduce imports and increase exports to narrow the trade deficit. There was a time when the Industry Committee of the Egyptian Parliament called for the government to suspend the import of frozen fish due to concerns about possible transmission of the coronavirus in this product.
In addition, the slow consumption in the market recently forced them to cut many new orders while the payback period was prolonged. This has made Vietnam's tuna exports to this market unstable and tended to slow down at the end of the year.
Market trends in 2021
At present, the disease situation of Covid-19 in the markets has not been controlled, moreover, there has been a risk of a rebound, so it is expected that the world tuna market cannot recover.
In the US market, the growth in re-importing Chinese cheap canned tuna products into the US is contributing to the competition in this market segment. Moreover, the demand for sustainable tuna products in the US has been tended to increase. Many major importers like Walmart, Bumble Bee, or Chicken of the Sea have made moves towards finding sustainable sources of tuna, such as making a commitment to supply 100% of Chunk light products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)… This is expected to reduce the need to import conventional tuna products…
In the EU market, EVFTA will continue to be a driver for Vietnam's exports of tuna products, such as canned tuna, fresh and frozen tuna, to the EU market in 2021. However, frozen steamed tuna loin products (HS16), one of the key export products of Vietnam in the first months of the year, is expected to decline. Because these products from Vietnam to the EU have enjoyed tariff preferences as agreed in EVFTA, they are not exempt from tax to 0% according to the autonomous tariff rate quota (ATQ) when exporting to the EU. Meanwhile, in 2021, the EU Parliament increased the import quota for this product group according to the ATQ to 35,000 MT, which makes China's tuna export businesses benefit. Competition in this segment of the EU is expected to increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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