Vietnam's tuna exports reached around $84 million in March 2024, a 17% rise. Vietnam's total tuna export revenue for the first three months of 2024 was $215 million, up 19% from the same time in 2023 but down 17% from 2022. It is anticipated that tuna exports may miss the billion-dollar mark as in 2022 at this rate and the difficulties the business faces.
Slight decrease in domestic tuna catch output
According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the total marine catch volume in the first three months of 2024 is estimated at 833.6 thousand tons, a slight decrease of 0.1% compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically for tuna, the catch volume in the first three months of 2024 in the three key provinces for tuna fishing is estimated at 5,392 tons, a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to the same period last year. Specifically: in Phu Yen, the estimated catch is 1,008 tons, a decrease of 12% compared to the same period; in Binh Dinh, the estimated catch is 3,916 tons, an increase of 4%; in Khanh Hoa, the estimated catch is 368 tons, a decrease of 12%.
Unstable exports to major markets
As of the end of March 2024, Vietnam's tuna has been exported to 86 markets worldwide. Among them, exports to major markets such as the US, EU, CPTPP countries, Israel, Russia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand accounted for 90% of the total export turnover.
In the US market, tuna exports have rebounded in March, increasing by 16% to over $32 million. Vietnam's exports of various tuna products to this market have all shown good growth in the first three months of 2024, except for frozen cooked tuna loins under HS code 16.
Alongside the US, orders to the EU are also picking up again in March, reaching $19 million, a 30% increase. Tuna exports to Italy and Germany, the two largest importing markets for Vietnam's tuna within the EU, continue to grow steadily. However, many markets within the EU bloc such as the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, are experiencing a decline in imports from Vietnam.
Exports to Israel and Canada are also continuing to accelerate in March, with growth rates of 95% and 143%, respectively.
After a period of instability, exports to the Russian market have been steadily increasing since late 2023. In March 2024 alone, tuna exports to Russia increased by 4% compared to the same period in 2023. Cumulatively for the first three months of the year, exports to this market increased by 65%, reaching nearly $9 million. This figure has made Russia the fourth largest single market for tuna exports in the first quarter of 2024.
However, exports to several other major markets in March were not promising. For example, exports to Japan decreased by 18%, Mexico decreased by 38%, Chile decreased by 34%, and Thailand decreased by 78%. Therefore, the growth rate of Vietnam's tuna exports in March was not high.
Many difficulties remain
While many forecasts indicate a global tuna market recovery, Vietnam's tuna sector continues to face challenges that could hinder export growth in the near future.
Specifically, the price of raw tuna in Bangkok has dropped to its lowest level in three years, but tensions in the Red Sea continue to escalate. Although this may not have significantly affected exports in the first quarter of 2024, the current increasing freight costs and prolonged delivery times will pose many difficulties for enterprises, especially in terms of capital.
Furthermore, challenges related to seafood harvesting and regulations related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are also causing difficulties for enterprises' production and exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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