Vietnam’s tuna market share in the UK expands while overall imports decline sharply

Tuna Exports to the UK Recover in Early 2026

According to Vietnam Customs statistics, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 3 million, up nearly 17% compared to the same period in 2025. Monthly export performance fluctuated, but the overall trend still pointed upward.

Vietnamese Tuna Moves Against the UK’s Import Trend

More notably, Vietnam’s growth came at a time when the UK’s overall tuna imports from global suppliers were declining. According to data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), in the first two months of 2026, the UK imported USD 82 million worth of tuna from the world, down 19% year-on-year.

Many major suppliers also saw exports to the UK decline, including Ecuador down 14%, Spain down 41%, Thailand down 27%, and the Philippines down 31%. In contrast, Vietnam’s exports surged by 166%, from USD 846,000 to USD 2.25 million. This indicates that Vietnamese tuna is outperforming the broader market trend and gaining a larger share within the UK’s import structure.

Competition in the UK Remains Intense

This export growth does not mean the UK market has become easier. The UK remains a highly competitive market. In the UK’s import structure for early 2026, Ecuador remained the largest supplier, followed by Mauritius, Ghana, Peru, Spain, and Thailand. These competitors have long-established positions, stable supply chains, and strong presence within the UK distribution system.

For Vietnam, the current growth is an encouraging signal, but turning it into sustained momentum will require more than just a few months of strong increases.

UK Tuna Demand Remains Fundamentally Strong

From a market perspective, tuna still holds a solid position in the UK. According to Seafish’s 2025 report, UK seafood imports increased in both volume and value, supported by supplies of tuna, Alaska pollock, and warm-water shrimp. Tuna was among the key product groups driving seafood import growth.

Moreover, consumer demand in the UK remains relatively stable for convenient seafood products. Tuna accounts for 69% of canned seafood choices among UK consumers. In 2024, tuna ranked third in UK seafood retail sales, after salmon and cod.

This is an important detail because it shows that the UK is not merely a short-term opportunity, but rather a market with well-established consumption demand for canned tuna, ready-to-eat products, sandwiches, and quick meals.

Tariff Advantages Open More Opportunities for Vietnamese Tuna

For Vietnamese exporters, opportunities also come from tariff advantages. The UK officially joined the CPTPP on December 15, 2024, and the agreement took effect between the UK and Vietnam from that date. Together with the UKVFTA, this provides Vietnamese products with improved market access advantages.

For canned and packaged tuna, the UKVFTA maintains a tariff-rate quota mechanism of 11,500 metric tons per year eligible for 0% duty. Beyond the quota, the base tariff rate of 20.5% will gradually decline according to the agreed roadmap.

However, tariff preferences do not automatically translate into orders. The UK market currently favors suppliers capable of ensuring stable deliveries, competitive pricing, and products aligned with convenient consumption trends. Ecuador remains very strong due to its large supply base, while Mauritius and Ghana continue to maintain high positions thanks to well-established supply chains.

Therefore, if Vietnamese companies want to gain additional market share, they will need not only to leverage the UKVFTA and CPTPP, but also to focus on the right segments: frozen tuna, tuna loins, canned tuna, and convenient processed products rather than spreading resources too broadly.

In the short term, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK are expected to maintain growth momentum, especially as the country continues expanding its market share while the UK’s overall tuna imports decline.