(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first half of 2020, demand for German tuna (especially canned tuna) rose. The volume of tuna imports of this country reached the highest level in the past 5 years. This is mainly due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused many families in Germany to stock up on tuna to ensure a healthy and long-term source of protein.
According to Eurostat's statistics, the total volume of German tuna imports in the first half of 2020 reached more than 58 thousand MT, up 47% over the same period in 2019, equivalent to more than 18.5 thousand MT. German tuna imports are still mainly canned tuna, accounting for nearly 98% of the total import volume. Compared to the same period in 2019, German tuna imports went up. Specifically, in the first half of 2020, German canned tuna imports elevated by 48%, while imports of live, fresh, and frozen tuna rose by 19%.
The Philippines, with the advantage of enjoying preferential tariffs from the GSP, is leading the supply of tuna outside the EU for the German market, especially in the canned tuna segment. This country currently supplies 24% of the total volume of tuna imported to Germany.
Ecuadorian processors are also trying to increase exports to this market by 12% compared to the same period in 2019. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, their sales are still lower than last year.
Notably, exports of Papua New Guinea and Vietnam are recovering in the German market after the decline in 2019. Papua New Guinea's tuna processors are very successful in the German market in 2020 with an 84% growth over the same period in 2019.
Meanwhile, Vietnam's tuna processors achieved a growth rate of 12% over the same period in 2019. Vietnam's exporters are offering very competitive prices. However, due to the impact of the yellow card and unfavorable tariffs, Vietnam's market share in Germany has not been much improved during this period.