(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.
Strong export recovery in Q3
According to Vietnam Customs, tuna exports to Germany in the first nine months of 2026 reached nearly USD 19 million, up 10% from the same period in 2025. Germany is currently Vietnam’s second-largest tuna import market in the EU, after the Netherlands.
After rising 8% in Q1, exports to Germany fell 14% in Q2 to nearly USD 4 million. In Q3, however, export value recovered strongly to more than USD 6 million, up 36%.
In September 2026 alone, tuna exports to Germany reached more than USD 3 million, up 167% year on year, following two consecutive months of decline. This result helped return nine-month cumulative exports to growth, although orders have yet to fully stabilize.
Germany cuts imports as Vietnamese tuna strengthens its position
According to Eurostat import statistics, Germany imported around USD 368 million of tuna in the first eight months of 2026, down 6% year on year.
Among the main suppliers, Ecuador remained in the lead with USD 76 million, up 6%, followed by the Netherlands with nearly USD 68 million, up 11%. By contrast, imports from Papua New Guinea fell sharply by 30% to USD 54 million. Imports from the Philippines rose 10% to USD 41 million.
Notably, Germany’s tuna imports from Vietnam reached nearly USD 24 million, up 22%, significantly higher than the growth rates of Ecuador, the Netherlands and the Philippines. Vietnam thus ranked fifth among Germany’s largest tuna suppliers, accounting for about 6% of total import value.
The divergence among suppliers indicates that the German market is adjusting its purchasing. While many suppliers, such as Papua New Guinea, Spain, Ghana and Madagascar, recorded declines, Vietnam maintained relatively good growth.
In the canned tuna segment, Germany imported 3,818 tonnes of canned tuna from Vietnam in the first six months of 2026, up 21% year on year, while Germany’s total canned tuna imports fell 12%.
However, the average import price from Vietnam fell 10% to EUR 3,335 per tonne, the lowest among the main suppliers. This shows that price competitiveness is helping Vietnamese products expand sales volume, but it is also putting pressure on export margins.
Opportunities from shifting supply and sustainable consumption trends
The decline in imports from some traditional suppliers may open opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to increase their presence in Germany. However, competition remains intense, especially from Ecuador, the Philippines and supplies distributed via the Netherlands.
Besides price, requirements on origin and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. Germany remains the world’s largest market for MSC-certified tuna. Sales of MSC-labelled tuna in Germany reached nearly 89,000 tonnes in the 2025/2026 period, up about 20% from the previous period.
This is a notable trend for Vietnamese businesses approaching major retail chains such as Aldi, Rewe and EDEKA, where quality, traceability and sustainability certification are key factors in supplier selection.
Growth prospects alongside competitive pressure
The nine-month results show that Germany is one of the bright spots for Vietnam’s tuna exports in the EU. While Germany’s total tuna imports have declined, Vietnamese products continue to grow, both in import value recorded by Germany and in the volume of canned tuna sold directly into the market.
However, this growth still faces price pressure and competition among suppliers. In the final months of the year, the ability to sustain growth will depend on replenishment orders from German importers and retail chains.
In the long term, in addition to price advantages, Vietnamese businesses need to focus on developing value-added products, ensuring legal raw material sources and meeting sustainability certification requirements. These will be key factors in maintaining competitiveness and expanding market share in Germany.