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.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports maintained a strong recovery in the first five months of 2026, reaching more than USD 302 million, up 17% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was primarily driven by Asian markets, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China, while exports to the United States and the European Union continued to face headwinds from cautious consumer demand and increasingly stringent compliance requirements.
Vietnamese seafood giant Minh Phu Group has inaugurated a VND1.5 trillion (US$57.4 million) seafood processing plant in Ca Mau Province.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in May 2026, reaching USD 14 million, up 18% compared with the same month last year. Cumulative export value for the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 62 million, representing a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s strong recovery in international markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 367 million in the first five months of 2026, down 7% compared to the same period in 2025. While the decline is not yet severe, the more concerning issue is that pressure is mounting in key markets such as the United States and the European Union, just as ocean freight rates are rising sharply on long-haul routes. The current situation is therefore not merely about slower orders, but rather a clear restructuring phase for Vietnam’s tuna industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
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