Vietnam's tuna exports to the Middle East have been affected by economic instability and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, with a decline observed since the start of the year, though a recovery was noted in November 2023. While exports to Israel, Lebanon, UAE, and Turkey increased, those to Egypt and Saudi Arabia declined. The Middle East, accounting for nearly 10% of Vietnam's total tuna export turnover, has stringent import requirements, including Halal certification. The Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia has urged seafood exporters to comply with these regulations to prevent product detention or return.