Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to grow in August 2026, however, the growth rate was not high, reaching only 2%. August saw mixed movements across markets: the US remained the leading market, Japan and Canada improved, Russia continued to grow strongly, while the EU continued to decline sharply. These developments indicate that businesses are entering the final months of the year with a more volatile market.
In August 2026, Vietnam exported nearly $90 million worth of tuna, a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. This figure remained almost unchanged compared to July, but there was a clear differentiation between markets.
Exports to the US continued to lead with $35 million, up 23% year-on-year, although down about 8% compared to July. For the first eight months of the year, exports to the US reached $248 million, an 8% increase.
This increase helps the US remain the most important driver for the industry. However, the final months of the year will be more unpredictable as the 12.5% additional US tariff on Vietnamese goods begins to impact new orders from the end of July. Importers will have to recalculate purchase prices, while export businesses also face pressure to share some of the tariff costs to retain customers.
This will be a real test of Vietnam’s ability to retain tuna orders in the US. The impact may not be fully reflected in the August figures due to delays between contract signing, delivery, and customs clearance.
While the US remains a cornerstone, Russia is emerging as a market with remarkable growth. After eight months, tuna exports to Russia reached $38 million, a 56% increase. This is one of the highest growth rates among Vietnam’s major markets. However, in August, tuna exports to this market decreased slightly by 6% compared to the same period in 2015.
