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) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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