As of July, Vietnam's export value of frozen tuna meat/loin products still decreased, while exports of processed and canned tuna products increased again.
The decline in major markets is getting smaller
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, in July, tuna exports reached US$76 million, down 11% over the same period last year. This is the lowest decrease in the first 7 months of 2023. Currently, tuna exports to main markets such as the US, Japan or Canada continue to decline, while exports to the EU continue to prosper.
In the US market, tuna exports have not shown any signs of recovery. The value of tuna exports to this market in July still decreased by 26% over the same period, reaching US$29 million. Following the same trend, tuna exports to Japan and Canada also continued to decline in July, with a decrease of 20% and 38% respectively. However, this is the lowest decrease of all three markets since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, tuna exports to the EU continued to recover, gradually making up for the decline in the first months of the year
Meanwhile, tuna exports to the EU continued to recover, gradually making up for the decline in the first months of the year. Exports to the EU in July increased by 28% over the same period. As a result, in the first 7 months of 2023, tuna exports to the EU increased by 5% over the same period in 2022, reaching $96 million.
Notably, Italy “returned” to the top 3 largest market of Vietnamese tuna in the EU. Tuna exports to Italy in July 2023 increased 10 times over the same period in 2022. Along with Italy, exports to Germany and the Netherlands are also increasing strongly in July by 43% and 96% respectively.
Outlook at the end of the year
According to statistics from the US Department of Commerce, retail sales in this market increased by 0.7% in July. US consumers spent more on food, with the fastest spending growth rate since from the beginning of the year. Therefore, businesses are expecting the US tuna market to recover by the end of the year.
Besides, the amount of inventory in the markets decreased, so tuna orders are likely to increase. Many holidays in the end of the year will also boost consumption, importers and restaurants tend to increase Therefore, not only tuna products, but many other seafood products are also prioritized to increase orders to store and serve fun and eating activities at the end of the year.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
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