Vietnamese Tuna Exports To Russia Up 15% In Q1 2025

Russia is emerging as a promising growth consumer market for Vietnamese tuna exporters, with increasing export volumes and favourable trade conditions, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

According to data from Vietnam Customs, the value of tuna exports to Russia reached nearly US$45 million in 2024—five times higher than in 2020—marking the highest level in the past decade. In just the first three months of 2025, tuna exports to Russia exceeded US$10 million, up 15% compared to the same period in 2024.

Trade officials highlight that the current Vietnam–Russia relationship presents favourable conditions for economic and trade cooperation. VASEP said the two economies are highly complementary: Vietnam imports Russian products for production and consumption, while Russia imports tropical agricultural products, seafood, and food from Vietnam.

Russia is also one of the top 30 tuna-importing countries globally. Its tuna imports have doubled over the past five years, reaching nearly US$90 million in 2023, reflecting a steady increase in demand.

Many of the recent challenges in bilateral trade—such as transportation, payments, and travel for businesspeople—are being actively addressed. Vietnamese goods can be shipped directly to Russia via the Vladivostok–Haiphong or Ho Chi Minh City sea routes, taking approximately eight to 11 days. Alternatively, international rail transport through China and Kazakhstan to Moscow takes about 35 to 40 days.

For payments, businesses from both countries can conveniently use the Russian ruble and Vietnamese dong for bilateral trade. Additionally, Russia’s issuance of electronic visas allowing Vietnamese citizens a 15-day stay facilitates travel for trade purposes.

Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Russia is a member, signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in 2015, which took effect in October 2016. As a result, most traded goods between Vietnam and Russia enjoy zero or very low import tariffs.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mishustin met with To Lam, Vietnam’s General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, last month, with the two sides confirming a target expansion of bilateral trade turnover to US$15 billion by 2030. 2024 bilateral trade was about US$5 billion.

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