The U.S.
As of Sep 2016, the U.S. retained as the largest importer of Vietnam tuna, accounting for 40.8% of Vietnam tuna exports, with the value of US$144.5 million, up 2.2% year on year. This year, demand for canned tuna in the U.S. was on the downward trend despite a slump in global tuna price. Currently, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia were top 3 largest suppliers of tuna to the market, in which, shipments from Thailand took up 25.5-28% of the U.S imports. In spite of the year-on-year decreases of 7.3-20.6% in the first 2 quarters of this year, Vietnam tuna exports to the U.S. rebounded from May 2016, and expected to rise sharply in the last quarter.
EU
The EU stayed as the 2nd biggest buyer of Vietnam's tuna. In Jan-Sep 2016, sales to the region reached US$73.9 million, down 3.3% compared the same period of 2015. In particular, out of top 3 largest markets in the bloc, exports to Italy and Belgium registered the climbs of 116.3% and 23.5%, respectively, while those to Germany posted a fall of 41.2% year on year.
ASEAN, Israel and China
Through Sep 2016, Vietnam tuna exports to 3 potential markets, including ASEAN, Israel and China remained quite stable. Exports to Thailand picked up almost 7% of total tuna exports, up 24.3% over the same period last year. Thailand was both a tuna importer and a supplier of Vietnam.
According to the ITC, in the first half of 2016, total tuna imports into Israel hit over US$37 million, of which, imports from Thailand reached US$10.8 million, those from the Philippines was over US$8 million, and those from Vietnam touched US$7 million. Israel is a potential market, Vietnam tuna exporters continue to boost exports of processed tuna (HS code 4160414) to the market.
Through Sep 2016, Vietnam tuna exports to China gained US$15 million, up 56.3% over the same period last year. In the coming time, China remains as a potential market of Vietnam. Besides, exports to Canada and Mexico also expected to go up in the last quarter of the year.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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