According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), since the beginning of 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Portugal have grown significantly, bringing in over 1.6 million USD. This is an increase of 313% compared to the same period in 2024.
Vietnam’s tuna exports to Portugal in 2024 experienced significant growth, with an impressive increase of 353% compared to 2023. And this growth trend continues in the early months of 2025, with an increase of 313%, reaching over 1.6 million USD.
Tuna exports to Portugal grow strongly.
Portugal is renowned for its high per capita fish consumption, including tuna. Especially, this country has a strong preference for canned and fresh/frozen tuna. The canned tuna industry in Portugal dates back to the 19th century, with Vila Real de Santo António being a key location for the development of both the fishing and canning sectors. The famous canned tuna brands in Portugal are Santa Catarina, A Poveira, and Ramirez….
The tuna processing industry in Portugal relies on imports. Each year, this country imports a large amount of frozen tuna meat/loin with HS code 0304 and frozen steamed tuna loin with HS code 16 from various countries, including Vietnam.
According to statistics from the Vietnam Customs, Vietnam is also primarily exporting these two product groups to the Portuguese market, with the export value of frozen steamed tuna loin in 2024 accounting for over 81%.
In the Portuguese market, Vietnam is the second-largest supplier of tuna outside the bloc after Ecuador in the first three months of this year. Currently, Portugal’s imports of tuna from Ecuador and Vietnam are on the rise, while the country is reducing imports from China.
In addition, the strengthening of close cooperation in the trade sector between the two countries and the maximization of benefits from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) are creating momentum for Vietnam’s tuna exports to Portugal.
But according to businesses, this growth trend is becoming difficult to maintain. Because currently, the supply of raw tuna in Vietnam, which was already insufficient, is now even scarcer due to regulatory shortcomings and issues in the verification and certification processes… are hindering the increase in exports.
The VASEP forecasts that, in the current situation where domestic raw material questions have not yet been resolved, combined with the impact of geopolitical instability and changes in trade policies in key markets, Vietnam’s tuna exports are likely to decline further in 2025.