Specifically, Vietnam's tuna export value accumulated in the first 3 months of the year reached over 259 million USD, up 72% over the same period in 2021, and 1.6 times higher than the same period in 2019 - before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Export orders of high-value frozen tuna meat/fillets with HS code HS0304 in the first three months of this year tended to increase sharply, up 123% over the same period last year, reaching $184 million. Notably, the share of the export value of this product group increased from 55% in the first quarter of 2021 to 72% in the first quarter of this year. The export of other processed tuna products, mainly frozen steamed tuna loin, also increased by 37% over the same period. Meanwhile, the export of canned tuna products observed a downward trend.
As demand was recovering, Vietnam's tuna exports to main markets continued to grow in March.
US By the end of March 2022, the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to the US reached nearly 137 million USD, up 116% over the same period last year, in which, the export value in March 2022 reached nearly 57 million USD, up 84%. As such, the US continues to be the largest tuna export market in Vietnam. However, tuna production in the EPO region is low, which makes the supply of tuna from the Americas like Ecuador decrease. Therefore the US will increase imports from countries in other regions like Thailand or Vietnam. Therefore, it is forecasted that exports to the US market will continue to increase in the first half of this year.
EU
Tariff incentives from the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU (EVFTA) continue to promote Vietnamese tuna products to this market in March 2022. However, the escalating freight rates are affecting exports to this market, as most shipments are exported at CFR prices. The growth rate of tuna exports to this market block is slowing down, at 10% in March 2022, with export value increasing by 14 million USD. The total export value to this market in the first three months of the year reached nearly $38 million, up 33% over the same period in 2021.
CPTPP
In contrast to the EU, tuna exports to the market bloc participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) tend to accelerate. Export value to the CPTPP market in March 2022 increased by 49%, reaching nearly 14 million USD. Accumulated in the first 3 months of the year, the export value reached 30.4 million USD, up 40% over the same period. The export value to Canada reached 14 million USD, up 70%; to Mexico reached 4.3 million USD, up 79%; to Chile reached 2.4 million USD, up 71%. However, exports to Japan continued to decline by 20% y-o-y, reaching 6 million USD.
In addition to the above main export markets, the value of tuna exports to other potential markets such as the UAE, the Dominican Republic, and Panama also grew well over the same period last year.
Tuna exports are expected to continue to grow in the coming months. However, exports are facing a shortage of raw materials, high prices of raw tuna, increased sea freight... Therefore, businesses are still heavily affected despite the higher y-o-y growth. All in all, this recovery is just the beginning.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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