This marks the first time in 25 months that the monthly export value of tuna has surpassed $90 million. If this growth continues, Vietnam's tuna exports could reach a total of approximately $1 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting an 18% increase.
Exports of various tuna product groups from Vietnam also saw growth compared to the previous year. Notably, exports of frozen tuna meat/loins under HS code 0304 have experienced rapid growth in the latter months of this year.
In terms of markets, tuna exports to major destinations generally increased in October, except for the EU and South Korea.
The exhaustion of preferential tariff quotas and difficulties in complying with regulations related to combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing have hindered tuna exports to the EU in recent months. Exports to the EU fell by 15% in October. However, strong growth in the earlier months of the year has resulted in a total increase of 17% for the first ten months of 2024.
On the other hand, tuna exports to the U.S. market, which slowed in the third quarter, have shown signs of acceleration in the final months of the year. Increased demand for seafood during the holiday season, coupled with the effects of the U.S. presidential election, has boosted the demand for tuna imports. Exports to the U.S. rose by 30% in October.
Alongside the U.S., the Middle Eastern market has also ramped up imports of Vietnamese tuna. Export values to the region have experienced strong growth. Notable increases include exports to Israel (up by 55%), Egypt (up by 70%), and Saudi Arabia (up by 72%) in the first ten months of 2024. Despite the impact of political conflicts in some countries, such as Israel and Iran, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided a significant boost for tuna exports to the region.
A particularly noteworthy development in October was the recovery of tuna exports to Japan. The export value to Japan increased by nearly 31% compared to the same period last year. Japan’s economic outlook has improved significantly after months of stagnation. Additionally, the strengthening of the Japanese yen since September has boosted demand for seafood imports, including tuna.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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