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
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
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
