Amidst declining tuna imports by Germany, Vietnam’s tuna exports to this market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export turnover recovered strongly in the third quarter of 2026, while German import figures also indicate that Vietnamese products are gaining ground in the competition from other suppliers.
According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, in the first nine months of 2026, tuna exports to Germany reached nearly $19 million, a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Germany is currently Vietnam’s second largest tuna import market in the EU, after the Netherlands.
After increasing by 8% in the first quarter, exports to Germany decreased by 14% in the second quarter, to nearly $4 million. However, in the third quarter, the value recovered strongly, reaching over $6 million, an increase of 36%.
In September 2026 alone, tuna exports to Germany reached over $3 million, a 167% increase compared to the same period last year, after two consecutive months of decline. This result contributed to a return to growth in cumulative exports for the first nine months, although order conditions remain unstable.
Germany reduces tuna imports, but Vietnamese tuna gains market share.
According to Eurostat’s import statistics, in the first eight months of 2026, the country imported approximately $368 million worth of tuna, a 6% decrease compared to the same period the previous year.
Among the main suppliers, Ecuador continued to lead with $76 million, up 6%; followed by the Netherlands with nearly $68 million, up 11%. Conversely, imports from Papua New Guinea fell sharply by 30%, to $54 million. Imports from the Philippines increased by 10%, reaching $41 million.
