Cumulatively in the first 9 months of the year, tuna export turnover to this bloc reached more than 123 million USD, up 16% over the same period.
One of the reasons for this growth is that the markets soon enter the peak season to serve the year-end holiday. In addition, the veda ban in the EPO area from July 29 and lasted for 72 days has reduced the supply of tuna to the EU market from this area. Moreover, the price of tuna in the Manta region, Ecuador is much different from that in the area of Bangkok, Thailand, so the EU tends to strongly increase tuna imports from Asian countries at this time. In this context, Vietnam's tuna products with tariff advantages under the EVFTA agreement are more competitive than countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia or Thailand.
This year, due to high sea freight costs, EU canners are reluctant to ship their goods through the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which will add to the cost of their CFR bills. Therefore, countries such as Germany, Belgium, Romania or France tend to reduce indirect imports through the port of Rotterdam, increase direct imports.
Cumulatively in the first 9 months of the year, Vietnam tuna export turnover to the EU reached more than 123 million USD, up 16% over the same period.
According to the statistics of Vietnam Customs, Italy used to be one of the three major tuna import markets of Vietnam, this year exports to this market decreased by 70% and dropped to 7th position. Along with Italy, exports to Spain, one of the three largest import markets, also decreased. However, Germany and Belgium tended to increase during this period, especially exports to Belgium increased by 111% over the same period.
In addition, exports to some other EU markets are also increasing strongly over the same period, such as Romania up 102%, France up 155% and Denmark up 305%.
Currently, there are more than 50 enterprises participating in exporting tuna to the EU. Bidifisco, Tuna Vietnam and FoodTech are the 3 largest tuna exporters to this market, accounting for 45% of the country's total tuna export turnover to the EU.
Inflation in Europe is forecasted to still increase, tuna consumption in this market will continue to increase, especially for canned tuna products. However, the devaluation of the Euro against the US dollar is making canned tuna products expensive for Europeans. Therefore, European importers will tend to increase imports of raw tuna from sources with competitive prices and advantages in terms of position. Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU in the last months of the year will therefore continue to increase over the same period in 2021.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
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