Vietnam tuna exports to EU decline 17% in eight months

Vietnam’s tuna exports to the European Union have faced a sustained decline, with export turnover dropping 17% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the previous year. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), August 2026 alone saw a 16% decrease, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-on-year declines.

This downturn reflects broader shifts in the EU market. Import data from the first half of 2026 shows that tuna imports from several non-EU suppliers, including Ecuador, the Philippines, and Indonesia, have also decreased, while supply from intra-EU nations like Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany has risen.

Vietnamese enterprises face increasing pressure to maintain market share and supply chain positions. Competitive dynamics may shift further depending on the progress of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the EU and the Philippines, which could introduce favorable tariff advantages for Filipino suppliers.