I. Overview
Tunas concentrate mainly in the Central Vietnam and the center of East Sea. Tuna resources of Vietnam are estimated at over 600 thousand MT; in which skipjack is the major species, accounting for more than 50% of the total pelagic fish stocks.
Annual landings (including yellowfin tuna, big-eye tuna, skipjack tuna and others) are more than 200 thousand MT. Yellowfin tuna and big-eye tuna have average stock of over 45 thousand MT, with annual catch of 17,000 to 21,000 MT.
Yellowfin tuna and big-eye tuna are caught in the 6 month period from December to June of the next year. While skipjack tuna can be caught all year round.
Tuna output in the EEZ of Vietnam is estimated at 27,000 MT. Binh Dinh is the top tuna catching province with 9,400 MT, followed by Khanh Hoa with 5,000 MT and Phu Yen with 4,000 MT.
Vietnam has been active in adopting international rules on sustainability such as IUU of EU or “Dolphin Safe” labeling of EII. In 2018, Vietnam’s tuna exports contributes around 7.4% of total national seafood exports.
II. Tuna exports in 2018
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Vietnam tuna products for exports in 2018 (US$)
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Products
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2018
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Proportion (%)
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Variation(%)
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Tuna HS code 03 (1)
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346,651,777
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53.1
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7.5
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- Live/fresh/frozen/dried tuna (HS code 03) (except for HS code 0304)
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36,336,666
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-26.8
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- Tuna (HS code 0304)
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310,315,112
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13.7
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Processed tuna HS code 16 (2)
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306,253,701
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46.9
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13.3
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- Canned tuna (HS code 16)
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173,305,475
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-3.2
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- Other processed tuna (HS code 16)
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132,948,226
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45.8
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Total (1 + 2)
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652,905,479
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100.0
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10.1
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Source: Vietnam Customs
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