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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
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