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) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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