Vietnam’s tuna exports slide in July as U.S. tariffs and geopolitical risks bite
Vietnam’s tuna exports fell sharply in July, down 20% year-on-year, pushing the sector into negative territory for the first seven months of 2025 with a 3% drop to nearly USD 542 million. Industry sources warn exports are unlikely to match last year’s levels in the second half.
Shipments to the U.S. plunged 38% in July to around USD 21 million, as importers braced for new countervailing duties that took effect August 7. Higher rates compared to competitors in Thailand, Indonesia and Ecuador are eroding Vietnam’s price competitiveness, raising concerns over sustained losses in its largest single market.
Exports to Japan fell 23% in July after five months of gains, while shipments to Israel slumped 43% as regional conflicts disrupted trade. By contrast, the EU market rebounded 12%, driven by a 133% surge to the Netherlands and strong growth in Lithuania (+105%) and Belgium (+56%), though Italy and Germany weakened. Canada and Mexico also posted strong growth, up 39% and 53% respectively.
Vietnamese exporters face a tough finish to 2025 as tariffs, geopolitical instability and regulatory bottlenecks in domestic fishing and processing weigh heavily on performance. Unless market diversification and policy reforms accelerate, Vietnam risks ceding further ground to regional rivals in the global tuna trade.
VFM
