Vietnam’s tuna exports to France rebound after a year of decline
After a sharp slowdown caused by inflation, French demand for tuna is picking up again, driving Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market up more than twofold in the first half of 2025.
Vietnam shipped more than USD 1.5 million worth of tuna to France in the first six months of the year, a 108% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Key export items include frozen tuna loins/fillets and processed products, with frozen loins posting the strongest growth. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), France is currently the third-largest tuna importer in the EU.
France imports around 107,000 metric tons of tuna annually, mostly in canned form. Per-capita consumption is 1.3 kilograms a year, lower than Mediterranean countries but still among the highest in the EU. Demand for canned tuna is supported by consumer preferences for quick, protein-rich and healthy meals, with leading brands such as Petit Navire, Saupiquet and Rio Mare, many of which carry MSC certification.
Competition in the French market remains intense. Spain and Portugal dominate intra-EU supply, leveraging large-scale processing capacity, short logistics chains and well-established brands. Outside the bloc, Ecuador is the leading supplier, benefiting from a powerful fishing fleet and preferential tariffs that keep its canned tuna highly competitive. Other suppliers including Seychelles, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are also working to expand their share. Vietnam stands out with frozen loins and fillets, along with some value-added processed products.
Analysts say 2025 could bring further opportunities for Vietnamese exporters if they capitalize on tariff preferences while meeting Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and certified seafood. But industry observers also stress that domestic challenges in raw material supply and fishing documentation need to be resolved for exporters to secure long-term access to the EU market.
VFM
