Tuna Canned Goods Raw Materials Shortage Drags Down Vietnam's Tuna Exports to Germany

In the first five months of 2025, Vietnam's tuna exports to Germany significantly declined, primarily due to domestic tuna raw material shortages that severely impacted processing product delivery capabilities.

According to Vietnamese customs data, from January to May, Vietnam's total tuna exports to Germany reached only around $11 million, a 33% year-on-year decrease. Canned tuna and other processed products (HS code 1604) accounted for as high as 68% of this total. Although frozen fish meat/fillet exports grew 81% year-on-year, canned product exports dropped by 48%, becoming the main reason for the overall export decline.

Multiple Vietnamese enterprises pointed out that local skipjack tuna raw material supplies were tight, leading to inability to deliver orders on time. Although they could choose to import raw materials from EU countries to meet origin rules and enjoy tariff benefits, this undoubtedly raised production costs and weakened Vietnam's product price competitiveness in the German market.

Germany remains an important tuna consumption country in Europe, particularly preferring ready-to-eat seafood products like canned items. According to EUMOFA and Eurostat data, German consumers are increasingly valuing convenient, high-protein, sustainably certified (such as MSC) products, but are also affected by inflation and rising living costs, resulting in a slight decrease in seafood imports and more rational, price-sensitive consumption behaviors.

Currently, Vietnamese enterprises facing US anti-dumping tax pressures are actively seeking EU and Asian markets to reduce dependence on the US. However, to open diverse markets, enterprises urgently need government assistance in resolving domestic raw material acquisition and fishing certification "bottleneck" issues. Vietnam's tuna industry international competitiveness is facing comprehensive challenges from raw material guarantees to trade policies.