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) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
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