Vietnam conquers Egypt with canned tuna – Tuna exports to Egypt represent a strategic opportunity for Vietnamese companies. In the first four months of 2025, according to official Vietnamese customs data, the value of exports reached $4 million, an increase of 72% compared to the same period last year.
The dominant product is canned tuna, which alone accounts for over 82% of turnover. This clear preference reflects Egyptian consumption patterns and the competitive positioning of the Vietnamese canning industry.
Thailand in the lead, but Vietnam is catching up
Historically, Thailand has been the main supplier of canned tuna to Egypt. However, several local importers are diversifying their supply, focusing on alternative players such as Vietnam to reduce the risk of dependence on a single supplier.
This opening favours Vietnam, which manages to combine price competitiveness, consistent production volumes and growing industrial quality. Other regional operators, such as China, are also entering this market, ready to compete for a share.
A favourable macroeconomic environment
Egypt has recently overcome a currency crisis that lasted over two years, facilitating a return to more stable and structured imports. The improvement in foreign currency availability has boosted demand and reactivated market dynamics.
With an estimated GDP of $347.59 billion (IMF, April 2024), Egypt is now the second largest economy in Africa and the continent’s most attractive country for foreign direct investment. Not surprisingly, it is Vietnam’s main trading partner in North Africa.
In 2023 alone, trade between the two countries reached $486.6 million, with Vietnamese exports accounting for about 90% of this total: from fish and agricultural products to textiles and industrial components.
Prospects and growing competition
Tuna exports to Egypt are strengthening at a time when established markets such as the United States and the European Union are experiencing economic difficulties. This situation is prompting many Asian companies to look with interest at North Africa.
However, competition is set to increase. To maintain their advantage, Vietnamese companies are urging the national government to facilitate access to raw materials and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that slow down the supply chain.
At the same time, Egyptian importers are becoming increasingly selective: they demand high quality standards, functional packaging and continuity of supply. Price, while important, is no longer the only deciding factor.
The case of Vietnamese canned tuna in Egypt highlights the evolving dynamics of a strategic market for the entire fishing industry. Asian exports are growing, North Africa is consolidating its position as a commercial hub, and competition requires increasingly sophisticated industrial strategies.
Vietnam conquers Egypt with canned tuna
