Prime Minister directs ministries to remove difficulties for tuna exports

The Government Office has just issued Document No. 8640/VPCP-NN, conveying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's directive on addressing issues related to tuna exports.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's tuna exports have stagnated, with export turnover in July 2025 falling 20% compared to the same period. Thus, the cumulative value for the first seven months decreased to nearly USD 542 million, down 3% over the same period last year.

VASEP noted that since August 7, the U.S. has imposed a new reciprocal tariff rate for each country. The disparity in tariff rates imposed on Vietnamese products compared to competitors such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Ecuador is reducing the competitiveness of Vietnamese products.

In addition, geopolitical uncertainties, logistics disruptions, and demand fluctuations in key markets such as Russia, Israel, and Chile are also significantly affecting exports to these destinations.

Meanwhile, regulatory bottlenecks in fishing, processing, and exporting tuna in Vietnam remain unresolved, leaving tuna businesses facing many difficulties and challenges. VASEP forecasts that Vietnam's tuna industry is unlikely to make a breakthrough and maintain its market share this year.

In response, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assigned the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment to review the information reported by the press; chair and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to assess the 2025 tuna export situation; and promptly address obstacles in accordance with authority and regulations.