Canned food production in Vietnam has grown significantly over the years, driven by both domestic consumption and export opportunities. The industry benefits from the country's rich agricultural resources, enabling the processing of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Vietnam has a growing and increasingly sophisticated canned food production industry, driven by both domestic consumption and export demand. Here's a concise overview of the sector:
🇻🇳 Overview of Canned Food Production in Vietnam
✅ Key Products
Vietnam produces a variety of canned foods, including:
● Canned seafood (tuna, sardines, mackerel, clams, squid)
● Canned fruits (pineapple, lychee, mango, jackfruit, longan)
● Canned vegetables (baby corn, bamboo shoots, pickles, mushrooms)
● Ready-to-eat meals (meat stews, soups, rice dishes)
● Condiments and sauces (chili sauce, soy-based sauces)
🏭 Industry Landscape
🌊 Seafood Sector
● Vietnam is one of the world’s top seafood exporters.
● Canned tuna is especially important, with exports to the EU, U.S., and Japan.
● Major players: **Hai Nam Co., Vinh Hoan Corp, BIDIFISCO, and others.
🍍 Fruits and Vegetables
● The Mekong Delta and Central Highlands are key growing regions.
● Canned tropical fruits are widely exported to Asia, Europe, and North America.
● Companies often combine canning with fresh/frozen product lines.
In Vietnam, the most important canned fruit products inlude canned lychee, canned longan and canned pineapple. Lychee and longan are particularly popular due to their sweet flavor and are often exported. Canned pinepaple is also significant, as is widely used both domestically and for export.
📈 Market Trends
● Export-driven growth: Vietnam exports canned food to over 100 countries.
● Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like the EVFTA and CPTPP enhance access to international markets.
● Modernization: More firms are investing in automation and international food safety certifications (HACCP, ISO, BRC).
● Rising domestic consumption, especially among urban populations seeking convenience.
⚙️ Challenges
● High logistics and shipping costs, especially post-COVID.
● Raw material supply fluctuations, especially seafood.
● Competition from Thailand, China, and Indonesia in both price and scale.
● Strict quality and safety standards in key export markets.
🌍 Export Snapshot
* Top export markets: EU, U.S., Japan, Middle East, South Korea
* Canned tuna, pineapple, and lychee are among top exported items.
* EU is a fast-growing market due to tariff cuts under the **EVFTA**.
Vietnam's canned food export industry has experienced notable developments in recent years, with significant growth in certain sectors despite facing various challenges.
📊 Canned Tuna Exports: A Highlight
In 2024, Vietnam's canned tuna exports reached a record **USD 299 million**, marking a **17% increase** from 2023. This growth occurred despite global economic challenges and domestic raw material limitations. Vietnam exported canned tuna to over 80 countries, with the **U.S., Israel, Germany, Lebanon, and Egypt** comprising more than 62% of the total export value. Notably, exports to **Israel** and **Lebanon** surged by **43%** and **155%**, respectively.
The **U.S.** remains Vietnam's largest market for canned tuna, accounting for **36%** of the total export value. In October 2024, exports to the U.S. rebounded, reaching nearly **USD 12 million**, a **16% year-on-year increase**. Over the first ten months of 2024, exports to the U.S. exceeded **USD 87 million**, up **17%** compared to the same period in 2023.
Vietnam has become the second-largest supplier of canned tuna to the U.S., surpassing Mexico and following Thailand, with a market share of 16%. The average export price of Vietnamese canned tuna to the U.S. stands at **USD 4,670 per tonne**.
🇪🇺 European Union Market Trends
In the EU, canned tuna became the most exported Vietnamese tuna product in 2023, accounting for over 40% of the total export turnover to this market, estimated at about USD 71 million, a 28% increase from 2022. Exports to **Italy** saw a remarkable rise of **456%** compared to the previous year. This surge is attributed to the resumption of preferential quotas under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and disruptions in Ecuador's exports due to droughts affecting the Panama Canal.
📉 Overall Canned Food Export Performance
While canned tuna exports have shown significant growth, the broader canned food export sector faced challenges. In 2023, Vietnam's total canned food exports declined by 25.1% in volume to 68,000 tons, with the export value falling to USD 132 million. This downturn followed two consecutive years of growth and is attributed to various factors, including global economic uncertainties and increased competition.