Statistics show Japan purchased Vietnamese seafood worth US$83 million in January, a drop of 8% year on year. Despite the decrease, Japan remained Vietnam’s largest seafood consumer during the month.  

The US ranked second with turnover reaching US$52 million, up 2% year on year, followed by China & Hong Kong with US$44 million, up 91%; the RoK with US$37 million, down 15%; and the EU with US$29 million, down 12%.

Overall, the country’s seafood exports in January decreased slightly by 4% year on year to US$323 million.

In terms of products, aquatic items recorded a fall compared to the same period last year, including tuna down 16%, squid & octopus down 15%, and other aquatic items down 13%. In contrast, exports of shellfish, crab & other crustaceans also skyrocketed by 118%.

With regard to tuna products, Vietnamese tuna export turnover reached more than US$66 million, thereby accounting for about 20% of the nation’s total seafood export earnings during the reviewed period.

According to the VASEP, export earnings of most tuna products witnessed a downward trajectory, except for fresh, frozen and dried tuna. Notably, canned tuna plummeted by 36% compared to the same period last year.

Vietnam's tuna exports to major markets declined significantly, of which exports to the US fell slightly by 2% year on year to nearly US$26 million.

Experts point out that due to concerns regarding tax increases, US firms moved to increase imports in the remaining months of last year, causing high inventories in the US.

Furthermore, US President Donald Trump's decision to impose new tariffs has caused US importers to limit signing new orders.

Industry insiders analyse that these factors are anticipated to affect the US’ tuna imports moving forward.

Elsewhere, tuna exports to the EU also dropped by 13% year on year, while the export value of canned tuna plunged by 21%.

Experts believe that the shortage of domestic supply source of skipjack tuna continues to hinder the export of canned tuna to this demanding market.

Moreover, tuna exports to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) markets have not witnessed positive signs, of which exports to Japan and Canada declined sharply by 26% and 36% in value, respectively.

Leading consumers of Vietnamese seafood in 2025

VOV.VN - The United States, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East are the leading seafood importers of Vietnam, and they are expected to maintain their prominent positions in 2025, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).