Since May, tuna exports to Spain have decreased continuously. However, exports to this market showed signs of recovery in the last quarter of the year when it increased by 33% in October and this growth continued in the first half of November with an increase of 112%.
Spain is currently the largest tuna importer in the EU and the second largest tuna import market of Vietnam. In the first 9 months of 2022, Spain's tuna imports increased compared to the same period in 2021, and nearly as before the pandemic. Spanish importers are tending to increase tuna imports from external sources. In the context of high inflation causing consumers to tighten their spending, Spanish producers try to lower production costs by finding cheap supply with preferential tariff.
Vietnam tuna exports to Spain increase at the end of the year
Spain is currently importing mainly frozen tuna meat/loin HS code 0304 and frozen steamed tuna loin HS code 16 from Vietnam, accounting for 55% and 44% respectively. According to the agreement in the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam (EVFTA), Vietnam's frozen tuna meat/loin products exported to the EU will have tariffs eliminated in 4 years from 18%. Currently, these products exported to the EU are being taxed at 4.5%. With this tax rate, Vietnam's competitiveness is lower than products enjoying preferential tariffs from Ecuador, Mexico, PNG or Mauritius.
In the processed tuna segment, frozen steamed tuna loin products with HS code 16 are being tax exempt according to the quota of 11,500 tons/year. These products can't compete with cheap Chinese products, or Ecuador's duty free.
One of the reasons why tuna exports to Spain increased at the end of the year was due to a sharp increase in exports of frozen steamed tuna loins with HS code 16. These shipments to Spain will be stored in bonded warehouses and will be cleared as soon as the preferential tariff quotas under EVFTA are restarted in early 2023.
Currently, there are more than 15 enterprises participating in exporting tuna to the Spanish market. Bidifisco, Tuna Vietnam and Nha Trang Bay are the 3 largest tuna exporters in this market, accounting for nearly 84%.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first two months of 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports recorded positive signs with strong growth in a number of important markets, of which lobster exports to China increased sharply.
In recent years, the agricultural and environmental sectors and localities in the province have created favorable conditions to develop and effectively maintain seafood chains, increasing income for people in rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s pangasius exports regained growth momentum in February 2025. Export value reached USD 150 million, marking a 66% increase compared to February 2024. Cumulative pangasius export revenue for the first two months of the year totaled USD 284 million, up 11% year-on-year.
Minh Phu Seafood Corp, one of the leading enterprises in shrimp processing and export, is actively promoting cooperation with shrimp farmers to develop the shrimp industry in Ca Mau.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the Middle East continued their impressive growth, rising by 28% compared to 2023. The Middle East is now emerging as one of Vietnam’s top four tuna export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, the price of Pangasius in the Mekong Delta has increased significantly, making fishermen very excited. However, looking at the overall picture of this industry, the rise in Pangasius prices is not just an opportunity, but also comes with many challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Dishes made from fish, especially pangasius, have become common and are found in nearly all restaurants, hotels, and banquets in Pakistan.
Looking back at the period from 2022 to 2024, crab exports to China have shown significant fluctuations. In 2022, China imported over 62 million USD worth of crabs, averaging 5-9 million USD per month, indicating a stable import demand from China. However, in 2023, exports sharply dropped to 13.3 million USD, averaging only 1-2 million USD per month, due to China's tighter quarantine controls and weakening consumption demand.
In January 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK reached over 16 million USD, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. The UK is the sixth-largest individual market for Vietnam’s shrimp imports, accounting for 5.5% of the total shrimp exports to various markets. Shrimp also holds the largest share (70%) in Vietnam’s total seafood exports to the UK.
Nguyễn Đức Bình, vice director of Quảng Ngãi Province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that 4,259 out of 5,194 fishing boats (82 per cent) had registered for operations at sea.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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