(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the recovery in the second half of 2016, Vietnam tuna exports to the markets has decreased in the first month of 2017. According to statistics of General Department of Vietnam Customs, tuna export value in the first month of this year reached almost US$34 million, down 8% compared with the same period in 2016. In particular, fresh/frozen/live tuna (HS code 03) accounted for 51.9% in total export value.
The U.S.
Until the end of January, 2017, the U.S. remained to be the largest importer of Vietnam tuna, accounted for 35.8% of the total export value, reached US$12.2 million. However, Vietnam tuna exports to the market downed 6% compared with that of the same period in 2016.
Sales of frozen tuna fillet/loin (HS code 0304) to the market reached US$7.4 million, down 10% year on year. Meanwhile exports of canned tuna up 9% with the sales of US$4.2 million.
EU
Vietnam tuna exports to the EU in Jan 2017 declined 8.4% compared with that of Jan 2016 and reached the sales of US$7.1 million. The EU accounted for 21% of total tuna export value of Vietnam in Jan 2017.
In Jan 2017, Vietnam tuna exports to Italy- the largest single market of Vietnam tuna in 2016 – reported the decrease. Meanwhile, Vietnam exporters strengthened shipping to the Netherlands. Thus, the Netherlands has become the second largest market of Vietnam tuna in the EU bloc. Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are in turn three leading markets of Vietnam tuna in the EU.
Japan, Isarel and ASEAN
Tuna exports to these three markets in Jan 2017 has changed the trend compared with Jan 2016. Tuna exports to Japan and Isarel increased while that to ASEAN decreased.
With the year-on-year growth of 87.6% in tuna imports from Vietnam, Israel has become the 3rd largest market of Vietnam tuna, making up 11% of total tuna exports by Vietnam.
Tuna exports to Japan in Jan 2017 showed sharp growth of 113%. Exports of all tuna products to these two markets showed the increase. Sales of canned tuna to Israel rose 213%; sales of frozen/live/fresh tuna to Japan (HS03 ext 0304) rose 1,524%.
In this month, Vietnam tuna exports to Thailand- the largest tuna import market in ASEAN, accounting for 62% in the total import value of the bloc, has 58% decrease compared with that of Jan 2016. Tuna exports to ASEAN downed 54% to reach US$1.9 million.
Amid the decline in tuna exports to main markets like the U.S. and the EU, Vietnam boosted exporting tuna to the emerging and potential markets such as the Middle East or North African countries.
According to the prediction, due to high tuna price in global market, tuna imports to US and EU will be still low. Tuna exports to the emerging markets like Isarel, Tunisia…will continue to increase in the first half of this year.
Written By Nguyen Ha