Positive signals for canned tuna exports

The proportion of fresh, frozen or dried tuna stayed at 54.07%.Canned tuna occupied the rest. 

Due to the lack of raw material, exports of all tuna products, except for tuna loins continued to fall.

From January to July, Vietnam sent tuna to 100 markets around the globe. Export value of tuna to 8 major markets accounted for nearly 82%. Exports to Russia and Mexico surged, with the rate of 136% and 112%, respectively.

The US continued to be the most attractive market. Tuna exports from Vietnam to the US in first 7 months this year reached over US$ 111 million, up more than 13% over the same period in 2014.

Statistics of the International Trade Centre (ITC) revealed that tuna imported by the US increased by 2% in terms of volume and by 4% in terms of value. Average import price slightly increased over the same period last year. Vietnam is currently the second biggest source of tuna to the US.

The EU - This year, Tuna exports from Vietnam to the EU continued to decrease, reaching nearly US$ 61 million, down 23%. Germany, Spain and Italy continued to be  biggest importers in the EU. It is noted that exports to Spain increased by more than 23% to more than US$ 8 million. 

This year, demand for tuna in EU markets is low, and this lower tuna import price. Tuna exports from Ecuador and the Philippines to the EU also fell. Vietnam is now ranked 9th in EU's top tuna suppliers. 

Japan - Similar to the EU, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan declined. After a rebound in June, in July, decreased again. In the first 7 months of 2015, Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan touched US$ 11.6 million, down 23% from the same period in 2014.

The second half of 2015 is expected to be a difficult time. Raw material import is needed. Exports to the EU and Japan will remain low as demand has not recovered and currencies weaken. Exports to the US, ASEAN and other markets will offset the decline and total tuna exports in the second half of this year can be better.