March Exports Rebound but Remain Lower Year-on-Year
According to Vietnam Customs, tuna exports in March 2026 reached nearly USD 80 million, a sharp increase from USD 53 million in February, but still down 11% compared to March 2025. Overall, in Q1 2026, tuna exports totaled USD 208 million, down 4% year-on-year.
This trend indicates a month-on-month recovery, but demand in many key markets remains unstable. In terms of product structure, tuna under HS03 continued to dominate with USD 119 million, up slightly by 1%. Notably, canned tuna also increased marginally by 1%, while other processed tuna products dropped sharply by 34%. Meanwhile, fresh/frozen/dried tuna (excluding HS0304) declined significantly by 43%.
U.S. Remains the Largest Market but Sees Decline
The United States remained Vietnam’s largest tuna import market, with export value reaching USD 74 million in Q1 2026, accounting for nearly 36% of total exports. However, exports to the U.S. fell by 12% compared to the same period last year. Similarly, exports to the EU declined by 8%, totaling over USD 47 million. Within the bloc, exports to the Netherlands dropped by 11%, while Germany recorded a slight increase of 8%.
These developments show that demand in traditional markets remains sluggish, putting pressure on Vietnam’s tuna exports in the early months of the year.
Middle East, Russia, and Egypt Emerge as Bright Spots
In contrast, several markets recorded strong growth. Exports to Russia reached nearly USD 14 million, up 44%; Israel nearly USD 10 million, up 33%; Egypt USD 6 million, up 65%; Mexico USD 5 million, up 26%; and the Philippines USD 5 million, up 13%. Notably, exports to the Middle East reached nearly USD 22 million in Q1, up 11% year-on-year.
These markets are helping offset part of the decline in the U.S. and EU.
Export Outlook: Continued Market Divergence
In the short term, Vietnam’s tuna exports may continue to recover following the upward trend seen in March, particularly in markets with strong growth such as Russia, the Middle East, Israel, Egypt, Mexico, and some CPTPP countries. The CPTPP bloc recorded nearly USD 31 million in Q1, up 9%, indicating its potential to partly compensate for declines in the U.S. and EU.
However, growth prospects will vary across product segments. Canned tuna and processed products are expected to maintain better momentum compared to raw or frozen products. Key challenges remain, including compliance requirements in the U.S., increasingly stringent sustainability standards in the EU, price competition in ASEAN, and volatility in global raw material supply.
In the coming months, Vietnam’s tuna exports are likely to continue experiencing divergence across markets. While the U.S. and EU may not recover quickly, the Middle East, Russia, North Africa, and niche markets could remain key growth drivers. If businesses capitalize on demand for canned and convenient tuna products while expanding into alternative markets, exports could gradually improve in Q2 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
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