The Russia-Ukrain conflict has caused price increase not only in energy commodities to, but also in food commodities in countries. This situation is creating the opportunities for Vietnamese seafood in general, and tuna in particular, to increase exports to other markets.
The US
By the end of June 2022, the total value of tuna exports to the US market reached more than 300 million USD, an increase of 96% compared to the same period in 2021. Vietnam's tuna exports continued to maintain a high growth rate in June. In the first 6 months of 2022, tuna catches in the East Pacific (EPO) were low, which affected the catches of the US fishing fleet. Besides, high inflation has pushed up the demand for canned tuna. All of this has boosted US tuna imports from sources, including Vietnam.
The EU
Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU have continuously declined in the past 3 months. Tuna export turnover to the market in June decreased by 25% compared to June 2021, reaching nearly 9.5 million USD, bringing the total export turnover in the first 6 months to 77 million USD, up 4% over the same period.
According to a report released by the European Union's (EU) data statistics agency Eurostat on July 1st, consumer prices of 19 countries in the eurozone rose 8.6% in June (consumption in this region a month ago was 8.1%). In which, the group of food items increased by 8.9%, showing that inflation is spreading in the eurozone. Despite recorded inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) has not been able to raise interest rates as quickly as the US. This delay caused the euro to depreciate against the US dollar.
The price of tuna products increases due to higher costs of necessary goods, a strong dollar may cause the final tuna products imported into the EU from countries outside the bloc such as Vietnam, Philippines, Ecuador,.. to be more expensive. This has affected tuna imports of EU countries.
CPTPP
Tuna exports to Canada, Japan and Mexico continued to grow positively. By the end of June 2022, CPTPP is the third largest export market block of Vietnamese tuna exporters (after the US and EU). The demand for tuna imports from CPTPP countries reached US$68 million, up 50% over the same period last year. Of which, exports to Canada increased by 68%, to Japan by 26% and to Mexico by 30%. Particularly for Chile, export turnover to this market, after slowing down in May, showed signs of decreasing in June, down 48%.
In addition to the three major export markets above, in the first 6 months of 2022, tuna exports to Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Philippines or Russia still grew well. Total export value of tuna to Saudi Arabia reached 1.2 million USD, to Thailand increased by 59%; Philippines up 86%...
At the beginning of this year, due to an increase in oil prices, 40-45% of fishing vessels nationwide had to lie on shore. This has greatly affected the supply of raw tuna for factories, especially the supply of raw materials of wholly obtained (ie, domestic origin). Therefore, tuna processing and exporting enterprises must import from countries and territories that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Vietnam. This has made Vietnam's tuna exports unable to take advantage of the FTA to increase their competitiveness compared to other rivals.
It is forecasted that tuna exports in the second half of 2022 will continue to grow positively, but the growth rate will slow down. Tuna export turnover in 2022 is expected to reach about 1.1 billion USD, up 45% compared to 2021.
Compiled by My Hanh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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
