AsemconnectVietnam - Tuna export revenue in 2025 was estimated to reach US$924 million, a 7% decrease compared to 2024.

Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) forecasts that the tuna market in 2026 will continue to experience periods of impact from lower catch yields in some fishing grounds and rising raw material prices, while demand remains uneven.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), 2025 concluded with several notable shifts in Vietnam's tuna export landscape. According to Vietnamese Customs statistics, tuna export revenue reached US$924 million, a 7% decrease compared to 2024.
VASEP believes that the decline in tuna export revenue showed a clear differentiation by market and product group: the US – the largest market – experienced a significant decline, while the EU and CPTPP saw increases.
Exports to the US and EU showed contrasting trends.
Tuna exports to the US in 2025 was estimated to reach only $331 million, accounting for nearly 36% of Vietnam's total export value, but a decrease of almost 15% compared to 2024.
The US remained the largest export market, but exports to this market have been volatile over the past year, especially with increasingly fierce competition in the processed goods sector. In terms of product structure, exports of canned tuna to the US remained at a similar level compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of frozen tuna meat/loin (HS code 0304) decreased significantly.
In contrast to the US, Vietnam's exports to the EU increased last year. The exports to this market reached nearly US$207 million, a 5% increase compared to 2024.
Within this market bloc, the Netherlands was leading with a total import value of tuna from Vietnam exceeding US$46 million, a 37% increase compared to 2024.
Following were Italy with a 10% increase and Germany with a 13% increase.
According to VASEP, the overall situation in Europe is also creating opportunities for suppliers with stable delivery capabilities and meeting standards. EU market reports showed that tuna remains an important species for consumers, and recent imports have remained at a high level.
Along with the EU, tuna exports to Canada and Japan were also higher than in 2024. The exports to these two markets have also fluctuated significantly over the past year.
In 2025, tuna exports to the Middle East were estimated to decrease by 16% compared to 2024, reaching just over $94 million. Israel remained the leading market within this bloc. However, geopolitical instability in the country over the past year has led to a sharp 40% drop in tuna exports to this market.
VASEP reports that although Vietnamese tuna businesses have shifted their focus to expanding exports to other markets in the region such as Egypt and the UAE, this was still insufficient to compensate for the decline in exports to Israel.
Three factors influencing the tuna market in 2026:
VASEP forecasts that the tuna market in 2026 will continue to be affected by lower catch supply in some fishing grounds and fluctuating raw material prices (especially skipjack tuna prices) trending upwards, while demand is uneven across markets.
Entering 2026, according to VASEP, the market is likely to continue to be dominated by three main trends.
Firstly, fluctuating supply and prices of raw materials will continue to put pressure on profit margins, especially for processed and canned tuna products.
Secondly, the EU is expected to maintain its role as a support base, especially for suppliers that consistently meet traceability, quality, and sustainability standards, particularly in the context of increasing tariff and non-tariff barriers in the US.
Thirdly, competition will be differentiated based on "standards" and "prices," with importers prioritizing partners capable of consistent delivery, good compliance records, and optimized costs in a context where purchasing power is not yet fully stable.
Currently, obstacles regarding the minimum size allowed for harvesting skipjack tuna have been removed, and the domestic raw material supply is expected to be more favorable. However, the US imposing higher retaliatory tariffs on Vietnamese products compared to competitors, and failing to recognize the equivalence of Vietnam's tuna fishing industry, will hinder exports to this market.
Therefore, exports to the US in 2026 will not be promising. Businesses will be forced to shift to newer, more promising markets such as the EU, the Middle East, ASEAN, etc.
CK
Source: VITIC/ Business & Entrepreneurship