Growth trajectory marked by volatility According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna exports to Lithuania reached $14 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 8% from the same period in 2025. January saw an increase, followed by declines in February and March. In April, exports surged by 85%, only to plunge by 30% in May. From June onward, market conditions began to visibly improve, recording continuous growth over the subsequent two months. Consequently, the cumulative 8% growth was driven largely by a strong recovery in the third quarter rather than steady growth from the beginning of the year. This volatility warrants caution among enterprises when assessing the market’s longer-term prospects. A minor bright spot amid EU exports pressures Lithuania is not Vietnam’s largest tuna market in the EU. Nevertheless, its ability to maintain growth while overall EU tuna exports decline makes it a compelling bright spot. Amidst sluggish European demand, importers are exhibiting heightened caution regarding inventory management and delivery schedules. Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU are also facing growing pressure from increasingly stringent traceability requirements and catch controls. Therefore, the 8% growth in Lithuania, while not a breakthrough, indicates that there is still room for Vietnamese supply if enterprises target the right products and client segments. Another factor to consider is Lithuania’s position within the EU distribution network. Goods imported into this market are not exclusively for domestic consumption but may be redistributed to other member states, making its strategic value greater than its direct import scale suggests.
CATCH changes the game From 2026, seafood exports to the EU have entered a new phase as the CATCH system becomes mandatory for consignments subject to catch certification requirements. For tuna, this requirement is particularly important. Businesses must ensure that information on fishing vessels, fishing trips, species, products and catch certificates is declared completely and consistently. This makes traceability part of competitive capability rather than merely an administrative requirement for completing export documentation. For relatively small EU markets such as Lithuania, this could become an advantage for businesses that have already established transparent supply chains. Buyers are no longer prioritizing price alone; the ability to provide rapid, accurate, and reliable documentation is becoming increasingly critical to securing orders. Opportunities exist but competition remains strong In this market, Vietnamese tuna faces competition from suppliers with significant raw material advantages, including Ecuador, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries. Indonesia, in particular, is strengthening its position in the EU market through abundant raw material supplies, processing capacity and the ability to meet traceability requirements. If EU-Indonesia trade relations continue to improve, competitive pressure on Vietnamese tuna could become more pronounced. A niche market worth watching After 8 months, Lithuania is projecting more positive signals compared to the broader EU market baseline. However, with export turnover at $14.3 million, it remains a relatively small market. Three consecutive months of growth are also not yet sufficient to confirm a long-term upward trend. The key point to watch in the coming months is whether the 26-34% growth recorded in July and August can be sustained. If the momentum continues, Lithuania could become a niche market worth exploring more deeply and potentially serve as a distribution link within the broader EU market.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached approximately $148 million, up 12% compared to the same period in 2025. In September 2026 alone, export turnover to this market hit $18 million, a 27% year-on-year increase. Despite diverging demand across member states, the EU remains a market with growth potential for Vietnamese pangasius, particularly as supplies of several traditional whitefish species face mounting pressure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US are showing a clear recovery after a difficult start to the year. However, the rebound is taking place against a backdrop of declining US tuna imports and a shifting supply structure, posing new challenges for Vietnamese businesses.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached US$440.9 million, up 6.4% year on year. This result is noteworthy as Japan’s total shrimp imports continued to decline slightly and competition among suppliers intensified. Demand for convenience foods and processed products continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese exporters, but capitalizing on these opportunities requires stronger competitiveness and the ability to meet increasingly specific market requirements.
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
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