Exports of tuna products increased over the same period
Compared to the same period in 2020, Vietnam's exports of all four groups of tuna products increased. In which, other processed tuna products, mainly frozen steamed tuna loin, increased the most by 44% over the same period.
Export of meat products/tuna fillets accounted for the highest proportion of 47%, reaching US$139 million, up 28% over the same period. Followed by canned tuna products accounted for 27%, reaching $ 78 million, up 2.4%.
In the first three quarters of 2020, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic caused the demand for canned or bagged tuna in markets to increase rapidly. However, from the fourth quarter of 2020 onwards, the demand for canned tuna slowed down. The reason is that the high inventory of canned tuna in markets has led to lower import demand in markets. As a result, Vietnam's canned tuna export growth has also slowed down.
Meanwhile, vaccination against Covid-19 has been widely conducted in countries and markets have begun to reopen. Food service points, restaurants, etc. have begun to reopen, so the demand for items such as canned raw tuna or frozen tuna in markets tends to increase.
Exports to main markets maintained good growths
Vietnam's tuna products have been exported to 88 markets around the world. Exports to main markets were mostly higher than the same period last year.
In particular, the US and EU are still the dominant markets for Vietnam's tuna exports and continue to have good and stable growth rates.
In the US, expanded vaccination and the government's economic stimulus package have boosted demand for seafood, including tuna. Demand recovered not only in the food service, restaurant, and hotel segments, but also in the retail segment. Vietnam's tuna exports to the US market have grown continuously in the past 3 months. By the end of May, tuna exports to this market reached more than 124 million USD, up 22% over the same period. The US is increasing imports of fresh and frozen tuna from Vietnam, while reducing imports of canned tuna over the same period. High inventory of canned tuna and high transportation costs are affecting Vietnam's exports of this item.
The effect of the EVFTA Agreement continues to promote Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU market. Particularly in May 2021, Vietnam's tuna exports to this market increased by nearly 75% over the same period. Some markets in the EU that have good import growth rates are Italy up 121%, Germany up 18%, Poland up 444%, Romania up 110%, France up 74%...
(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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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