Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam's export of tuna products has decreased, except canned tuna. The export value of canned tuna of Vietnam in the first 8 months of this year climbed by 23% over the same period in 2019.
In August, the export value of Vietnamese tuna not only picked up to Canada and Egypt, but it also jumped to the US and Israel. In particular, after a period of decline, tuna exports to Israel reversed and had a higher and higher growth rate. In August alone, tuna exports to this market went up significantly by 238% over the same period in 2019.
In the US, after a period of consecutive decline, Vietnam's tuna exports to this country enlarged by 5.2% over the same period. The lockdown and social distancing rule due to the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the demand for tuna in the US, especially fresh and frozen tuna. Due to the impact of the epidemic, the increasing retail demand, the US tended to increase imports of processed and canned tuna from Vietnam. In August alone, the export value of processed and canned tuna from Vietnam to the US ballooned by nearly 97% over the same period in 2019. The main export products of Vietnam to this market this month were frozen steamed yellowfin tuna loin, HS code16041490) and frozen tuna meat (HS code 03048700). The average export price of these products from Vietnam to the US was at US$6.6/kg and US$9.3/kg, respectively.
Contrary to the US, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU sank. After recovering in July, Vietnam's tuna exports to EU countries in August did not grow as expected, down 17%. However, tuna exports to major markets in the bloc such as Germany and the Netherlands still achieved good growth.
The export value of Vietnamese tuna to the UK was not included in the EU due to Brexit, which has created a large gap compared to previous years. Because inherently, the UK was the largest import market for canned tuna in the EU, especially in the context of Covid-19. This is also one of the reasons why the export value to the EU is difficult to achieve as in previous years.
The main products of Vietnam exported to the EU in August include frozen tuna meat (HS code 03048700), canned tuna in oil/canned in sauce (HS code16041419), and frozen steamed tuna meat (HS code16041490). These are products on which Vietnam will enjoy tariff preferences when EVFTA comes into effect. The average price of Vietnam's frozen tuna exports and frozen steamed tuna meat to the EU in August were US$6.41/kg and US$4.98/kg, respectively.
Similar to the EU, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan reversed to increase in August. The value of exports to this market in August slashed by nearly 35% compared to the same period in 2019. The cause of this decline mainly due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, which made the demand for tuna in the Japanese market unstable.
It is expected that, due to the uncontrolled Covid-19 pandemic in markets, Vietnam's tuna exports to other markets will not be able to recover. However, exports to major markets will be more positive than the first months of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn