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Vietnam's Tuna Exports Surge in February 2025, Amidst Growing Regulatory Challenges

VIET NAM
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 12:00 (GMT + 9)

Vietnam's tuna export sector experienced a significant surge in February 2025, achieving record sales alongside mounting regulatory challenges.

According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna export value reached nearly $73 million in February, a 41% increase compared to February 2024, marking a five-year high for the month. In the first two months of 2025, total export turnover surpassed $139 million, a 6% increase, as reported by Ms. Nguyen Ha, Tuna Market Expert at the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Exports of fresh, frozen, and dried tuna products demonstrated robust growth, increasing by 23%. However, exports of processed and canned tuna declined by 9%.

Tuna exports to key markets, including the United States, the European Union, Canada, and Japan, witnessed impressive growth in February, with exceptions noted in Italy, Israel, and Mexico.

Source: VASEP

Navigating Emerging Challenges:

Despite positive export growth, Vietnam's tuna industry faces substantial challenges in 2025, particularly from major import markets like the EU and the US.

The EU's regulations on combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to pose a significant barrier. Specifically, Decree 37/2024/ND-CP's minimum skipjack tuna size requirement of 0.5 meters is hindering raw material sourcing for fishermen and businesses, impacting processed and canned tuna exports.

Similarly, the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) mandates that seafood exporting countries demonstrate fishing practices that do not harm marine mammals and adhere to equivalent US management standards. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently issued a preliminary ruling that does not recognize Vietnam as equivalent, potentially leading to import bans on various Vietnamese seafood species from January 1, 2026, if corrective measures are not taken.

Furthermore, the US plans to expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), requiring importers to provide more detailed information, thereby increasing compliance costs.

Given tuna's significant contribution to Vietnam's total seafood export turnover, MMPA and SIMP regulations could severely impact the industry, threatening Vietnam's international market reputation and position.

To mitigate these challenges, the tuna industry requires strong support from authorities and industry managers to refine the legal framework, enhance monitoring capabilities, and assist fishermen in meeting international standards.

Related news:

• VASEP on Vietnam's Tuna Exports: Growth in the Middle East, Challenges in the U.S.

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