In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports brought in USD 705 million, down 3% compared to the same period in 2024. Although export turnover slightly decreased, the market and product structure show positive signs of transformation toward higher value and market diversification.
Mixed Signals in Major Markets
The U.S. remained the top destination, accounting for 37% of total export value with USD 261 million, down 5% year-on-year. In September alone, exports dropped 17% compared to the same month in 2024. The decline was mainly due to U.S. importers increasing purchases early in the year to avoid new countervailing duties, leading to higher inventories and greater price competition in the market.
In contrast, exports to the EU continued to grow, reaching USD 160 million, up 3%. Several member states saw strong increases such as Italy (+19%) and the Netherlands (+37%), while Germany fell by 24%. This trend indicates that Vietnamese producers are gradually adapting to sustainability standards and traceability requirements set by the EU market.
Exports to CPTPP member countries totaled USD 96 million, up 9%, with Japan (+15%) and Canada (+17%) showing notable growth, thanks to tariff preferences under the trade bloc. However, some markets such as Mexico and Chile experienced slight declines.
A remarkable surge came from Thailand, a major seafood processing hub in the region, which increased its imports of Vietnamese tuna by 83% to USD 28 million. This highlights Vietnam’s growing role in the regional supply chain of frozen steamed tuna loins—a key raw material for canned tuna production. Meanwhile, Egypt recorded an impressive 146% increase, opening new opportunities in emerging markets across the Middle East and Africa.
Rising Value in Exported Products
By product type, fresh and frozen tuna (HS 03) reached USD 383 million, accounting for 54% of total exports, nearly unchanged from last year. Within this category, HS0304 products—the main export line—rose slightly by 2%.
On the other hand, processed and canned tuna (HS 16) brought in USD 322 million, down 6%. Notably, canned tuna—representing about two-thirds of HS16 exports—declined by 9%, mainly due to limited domestic raw material supply, increased imported tuna prices, and rising logistics costs, while selling prices did not rise accordingly.
This structural shift reflects a growing focus among Vietnamese companies on higher value-added products such as tuna loins and tuna steaks, rather than low-margin goods.
Outlook
Globally, in 2025, tuna import demand in the U.S. and Europe is expected to stabilize, though competition in these markets will remain intense. Importers increasingly prioritize suppliers with MSC, IUU-compliant, and fully traceable products. Meanwhile, Japan is expanding imports of frozen tuna for sashimi and premium products, creating new opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to upgrade processing technology.
With a mild decline in Q3, Vietnam’s total tuna exports in 2025 are forecasted to reach around USD 930–950 million, slightly lower than in 2024. To sustain growth, exporters should focus on diversifying markets, expanding into the Middle East and Africa, and promoting high-value, sustainably certified products to mitigate trade risks and strengthen competitiveness.
