In QIII/2016, tuna exports to the U.S. reported a slight recovery, with the value of US$52 million, up 7% over the same period last year. In Jan-Sep 2016, Vietnam tuna exports to this market amounted to US$144.5 million, a year-on-year rise of 2.2% after the continuous slump in the first 5 months of this year.
Frozen tuna loins picked up the largest share of total tuna imports into the U.S. with the value from Vietnam of US$92 million, accounting for 64%. However, the shipments from Vietnam increased to over US$10 million from April to July 2016, then dropped to around US$9 million per month in August and September 2016.
Imports of canned tuna into the country took up the second biggest proportion of 31%, with the value of US$45 million. Of that, imports of canned tuna showed the highest increases in August 2016 with nearly US$7 million.
According to the ITC, in the first 8 months of 2016, the U.S. imported 163 thousand MT of tuna, worth by US$982 million, down 5.4% in volume and 3.5% in value over the same period last year. The 2 most imported items were canned/processed skipjack and frozen skipjack fillets/loins (accounting for 75% and 12% in volume and 55% and 25% in value, respectively).
Imports of frozen skipjack fillets/loins into the market hit 19.3 thousand MT, up 11%, with the value of US$220 million, up 7% year on year.
Vietnam stayed as the 2nd largest supplier of frozen tuna loins to the U.S. Shipments to this market continued to increase over months, from 278 MT in January 2016 to 750 MT in August 2016 and reached 4.36 thousand MT in Jan-Aug 2016, while Indonesia was the largest supplier with 4.72 thousand MT. The Philippines was the 3rd largest supplier with 2.5 thousand MT.
In Jan-Aug 2016, the average import price of frozen tuna loins from Vietnam ranged from US$10 - 11/kg, US$1 lower than compared to the average price from Indonesia and the Philippines. This item imported into the U.S. was subject to the tax of 0% for all suppliers
However, canned and processed tuna from Vietnam had to face the duty of 10.09%, higher than the duty of 9.23% from Thailand. In the first 8 months of 2016, imports of canned and processed tuna into the U.S. reduced by nearly 10% in volume (123 thousand MT) and 11% in value (US$539 million). In this segment, Vietnam was the 2nd largest supplier (behind Thailand and followed by Ecuador). Imports of the item into the U.S. from Thailand accounted for the biggest share with over 11 thousand MT, while those from Vietnam were about 1.3 thousand MT, and from Ecuador with nearly 1,000 MT.
Tuna fillets/loins from Vietnam has to compete with that from Indonesia and the Philippines. However, in recent years, exports of the two countries are slowing down with either negative growth or slower growth than Vietnam. The average export price of tuna loins/fillets from Vietnam was also more competitive (US$10,276/MT in 2015) than from Indonesia (US$11,620/MT) and the Philippines (US$12,775/MT).
With the tax rate of 0%, Vietnam tuna exports expected to be stable and overtake Indonesia in the next few years.
Written by Le Hang
Compiled by Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
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Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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