According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, in January 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports reached more than 79 million USD, an increase of 58% over the same period in 2023, because January 2023 coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday. However, if compared from 2018 back to now, sales in January 2024 are still about 46% higher than the annual average; that is a positive signal for the opening month of the new year 2024.
Exports to all markets increased simultaneously
The top 10 main tuna export markets of Vietnam in January 2024 have changed, including the US, Israel, Russia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Poland. Compared to the same period in 2023, exports to the remaining markets increased except for Thailand.
In the EU market, the reopening of preferential tariff quotas as agreed in the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam (EVFTA) is creating momentum to boost export orders to this market in the first month of the year. Exports to most EU countries increased sharply. In particular, Italy continues to lead in import value in January 2024, with an increase of nearly five times over the same period. Along with Italy, exports to Poland and Sweden also increased dramatically.
In the Middle East market, although continuing to be affected by the war between Israel and the Islamic movement Hamas, exports to some markets in this region are increasing strongly. Specifically, exports to Israel increased 43%, Lebanon increased 13 times, and Egypt increased 43%. Currently, concerns about the increasing war are increasing the demand for food products that can be stored, such as canned tuna in these markets and promote imports.
Difficulties still pile up
Looking at the overall market and tuna industry in 2024, businesses said they are and will face many challenges and difficulties that will slow down the ability to recover production and exports.
Specifically, tensions in the Red Sea are causing many difficulties in the process of transporting export goods in general and seafood products in particular when shipping costs tend to increase. An increase in the selling price of the final product to consumers will greatly affect consumer demand. According to information from businesses, in the past month, the total freight payable for a container of goods transported to the West Coast has increased by 70%. Frozen goods exported to Europe have increased nearly four times. Tensions in the Red Sea also prolong transit time from Asia to Europe, cause difficulty in registering for charter ships, cause prolonged inventory, slow capital flow, high bank interest, etc. All these things will cause export businesses to face difficulties.
In addition, the "IUU yellow card" barrier when exporting to the EU market has not yet been removed, so businesses still encounter many difficulties when exporting to this market block.
It is expected that exports to other markets will continue to recover, but the growth rate will be slow.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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