Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have been experiencing robust and stepwise growth, with export value rising to nearly US$8 million in 2024 from $5.1 million in 2021.

Notably, in the first two months of this year, its exports increased 24 percent compared to the same period last year, signaling sustained expansion in this key market.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the UK has emerged as a significant growth market for Vietnamese tuna, largely driven by free trade agreements such as the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). 

These accords have provided substantial advantages to Vietnamese seafood exporters, particularly in terms of tariff reductions and trade facilitation measures.

Currently, tuna is the third-most consumed fish in the UK retail sector, following salmon and cod fish.

In this market, tuna is primarily used in convenience foods, including sandwiches and ready-to-eat meals for travel and on-the-go consumption.

Data from Seafish, a UK non-departmental public body under the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, reveals that 69 percent of British consumers prefer tuna when selecting canned seafood products.

“Due to the high oil content of tuna, which makes it well-suited for various processing methods, other processed tuna products -- such as salads, sandwich toppings, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals for travel -- are also highly popular in this market,” VASEP stated.

Vietnamese tuna gains competitive edge amid global challenges

Despite geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainties causing a downturn in key global seafood export markets, Vietnamese tuna has retained a competitive advantage in the UK.

Industry experts highlight that Vietnamese exporters are expected to gain long-term benefits from preferential trade terms under existing agreements. 

As per the CPTPP, tariffs on processed and canned tuna from Vietnam will be gradually reduced to zero percent from 20 percent over a seven-year period, significantly enhancing cost competitiveness.

The UKVFTA provides Vietnamese tuna exporters with a zero preferential tariff rate, applicable within an annual quota of 11,500 metric tons.

A major breakthrough for Vietnamese tuna exporters under the CPTPP lies in revised rules of origin, which have historically presented significant barriers to market access. 

Previously, strict origin requirements mandated that raw materials used for processing and export must be wholly obtained or sourced within the trade bloc, creating compliance challenges for many businesses.

“Now that these regulatory constraints have been eased, Vietnamese tuna exporters must capitalize on this opportunity by proactively securing a stable and traceable raw material supply, which will be a decisive factor in sustaining market share and enhancing competitiveness,” a seafood exporter in Ho Chi Minh City emphasized.

At present, Ecuador and China remain Vietnam’s primary competitors in the UK tuna market.

Tuna accounts for 10 percent of Vietnam’s total seafood export value

According to VASEP, Vietnam’s tuna export revenue was projected to increase 17 percent in 2024, approaching the $1-billion mark.

Tuna remains a cornerstone of Vietnam’s seafood industry, consistently accounting for the highest export value among seafood categories.

It ranks as Vietnam’s third-most valuable seafood export, comprising 10 percent of the country’s total seafood export turnover, following shrimp and pangasius.

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