(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the rebound in April 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports posted a fall in May. According to the statistics of Vietnam Customs, tuna sales in May 2016 hit nearly US$38.45 million, down 7.3% over the same period. The figure in first 5 months of this year estimated at US$179.9 million, down 4% year on year.
In Jan-May 2016, Vietnam's tuna was exported to 87 markets, fewer than last year. The U.S, the EU, ASEAN and China were the largest importers of Vietnam tuna. Out of top 8 leading importers of Vietnam tuna, only ASEAN and China raises importing tuna from Vietnam.
In the period, Vietnam’s exports of tuna loins/fillets registered a climb, while sales of live/fresh/frozen/dried tuna (except for tuna loins/fillets) and processed tuna dropped. Specifically, exports of tuna loins/fillets reached nearly US$94 million, up 18.3% year on year; exports of canned tuna and other processed tuna hit US$71.2 million, down 19.7%; exports of live/fresh/frozen/dried tuna (except for loins/fillets) reached US$14.4 million, down 25.3%.
The U.S
In May 2016, Vietnam's tuna sales to the U.S achieved US$ 17.4 million, down 4% compared to May 2015. The figure in Jan-May 2016 was US$73.7 million, down 3.5% from the same period last year.
Imports of frozen tuna fillets/loins into the U.S. from Vietnam reached US$49.7 million, up 22.6% while imports of canned tuna, other processed tuna and fresh/live/frozen tuna reduced.
The EU
In May 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU hit over US$8.1 million, down 9.2% year on year. The figure in Jan-May was US$41.3 million, down 10% over the same period in 2015.
Italy remained to be the largest importer of Vietnam tuna in the bloc, followed by Germany and Belgium. In the first 5 months of this year, tuna exports to Italy and Belgium reported a rise while shipments to Germany showed a decline.
In Jan-May 2016, the EU increased imports of frozen tuna fillets/loins from Vietnam and reduced imports of other tuna items. In which, shipments of frozen tuna fillets/loins from Vietnam reached US$16.3 million, up 27%, whereas, exports of processed/canned tuna from Vietnam reached US$12.7 million, down 40% over the same period last year.
ASEAN
Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN continued the growth in May 2016. The shipments to this market in May 2016 reached US$3.4 million, up 18.3% year on year. The figure in Jan-May 2016 estimated at US$17.2 million, up 28.1% over the same period last year.
Most of tuna items exported to the market posted a rise from the same period last year, except for canned/processed tuna. In which, exports of live/fresh/frozen tuna (excluding frozen tuna fillets/loins) showed the largest increase of 78.6% with the export value of US$3.4 million.
China
In May 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the China reached US$1.5 million, up 14.6% year on year. The figure in the first 5 months this year was US$10.5 million, up 134.7% over the same period last year.
In Jan-May 2016, China increased by 183.8% in importing live/fresh/frozen tuna from Vietnam with the import value of US$9.4 million.
Written by Nguyen Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy