According to the statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports in June 2018 touched nearly US$57 million, up 12.6% over the same period in 2017. The figure in the first 6 months of the year estimated nearly US$303 million, up 12% over the first half of 2017.
Of that, exports of fresh/live/frozen and dried tuna (HS code 03) reached US$159 million, accounting for 52.5% of total tuna export value of Vietnam in Jan-Jun 2018; the remaining was processed items. Vietnamese sales of fresh/live/frozen and dried tuna this year increased by 5.7% compared with the first half of 2017; of which exports of frozen tuna loins/fillets increased over 10%. Similarly, exports of canned/processed tuna also increased by 19% over the same period last year thanks to a 67% rise in canned tuna exports.
Top 8 major importing markets for Vietnamese tuna remained unchanged from the beginning of the year. However, the growth rate of export to some key markets has been positive.
The U.S
Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S continued to decline. Therefore, Vietnam’s total tuna export value to the market in the first half of this year decreased by 8.3% to hit US$99 million. Exports of tuna items of Vietnam to the U.S continued to decrease over the same period, except for other processed tuna.
This year, imports of canned small tuna into the U.S continued to fall down. These products are sold as new Chunk Light tuna steaks, mainly in the food service sector. These products are creating an unhealthy competition in this market.
The EU
After the decline of imports in May 2018, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU suddenly rebounded. The figure in June 2018 reached US$12.7 million, up 18.5% over the same period last year. As a result, the total tuna export value of Vietnam to the EU in the first half of 2018 increased by nearly 23% over the same period in 2017, reaching more than US$71 million.
In June 2018, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany- the largest importing market of Vietnam in the EU – went up compared to June 2017. Therefore, Vietnam's tuna exports to the three largest importers in the bloc in the first half of the year increased year on year.
Exports of frozen tuna loins/fillets of Vietnam to the EU have increased by over 31% over the same period of 2017. Sales of other processed tuna items inched up over 305% from a year before.
Israel
Vietnam's tuna exports to Israel continued to post the growth of 131% in June 2018. Therefore, the market continued to stay as Vietnam's third largest tuna buyer in the first half of 2018.
This remarkable growth was driven by enterprises promoting exports of canned/processed tuna to the market. The export value of this item to Israel in the first half of 2018 reached over US$29 million, up nearly 96% over the same period last year. Besides, exports of other tuna products of Vietnam to Israel also increased over the same period last year.
In the context of the increasingly fierce competition in the U.S market and a fall in consumption demand, Vietnam’s tuna exports to this market in the coming time forecasted to slow down. Meanwhile, exports to alternative markets such as Israel will continue the rise. Exports to the EU expected to be more favorable as the negotiation of the FTA between the EU and Vietnam is coming to an end.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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