Vietnam’s tuna exports to France rebound after a year of stagnation

Tuna exports to France rebound in 2025

After a sharp decline in 2024, Vietnam’s tuna exports to France grew strongly in the first half of 2025. Export value reached over USD 1.5 million, up 108% compared to the same period in 2024. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), France was the 3rd largest tuna importer in the EU in 2024, with a preference for convenient, safe, and sustainably certified products.

Key products include frozen tuna fillets/loins and canned tuna. Among them, Vietnam’s frozen tuna fillet/loin exports recorded a remarkable surge compared to the same period in 2024, with steady shipments to this market in the first six months.

Market trends in 2025

In 2024, France imported about 107,000 tons of tuna, mainly canned products, making it one of the largest tuna-consuming countries in Europe. Average per capita tuna consumption in France is 1.3 kg/year—about half of Malta (3.4 kg/person) but still among the highest in the EU. Demand for canned tuna in France continues to grow thanks to trends toward quick, protein-rich, and healthy meals, particularly driven by brands such as Petit Navire, Saupiquet, and Rio Mare—many of which offer MSC-certified products.

Supply competition

The French tuna market is witnessing intense competition among suppliers. Within the EU, Spain and Portugal dominate as major suppliers of processed products (canned tuna and frozen fillets), benefiting from large-scale processing capacity, short logistics chains, and well-established brands on supermarket shelves.

Among non-EU suppliers, Ecuador remains the leading source, thanks to its powerful fishing fleet and preferential tariffs for exports to the EU, which give its canned tuna products a strong price advantage.

Other suppliers such as Seychelles, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have also been stepping up exports to France in recent years. Vietnam stands out particularly in frozen fillet/loin products and some value-added processed tuna items.

Outlook

In 2025, Vietnamese exporters could further boost exports if they maximize tariff preferences while aligning with Europe’s green standards and sustainable consumption trends. However, to achieve this, the government needs to address challenges related to domestic raw material supply and bottlenecks in the issuance of catch certificates, among others, to better support exporters.

Source:  https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/