(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics of the Vietnam Customs, Vietnam exported $429 million worth of tuna products in the first 7 months of 2019, up 20.3% over the same period in 2018. Thus, July is the 7th consecutive month that Vietnamese tuna exports have increased compared to the same period in 2018.
However, in July, Vietnam's tuna exports to some main markets have tended to go down. Specifically, tuna exports to Israel and ASEAN continued to decline. Besides, after a period of good growth, exports to the EU and China in July dropped. In contrast, exports to Japan have a good recovery.
The US
In July, the US continued to increase tuna imports from Vietnam. The share of the US in total tuna exports of Vietnam is increasing and now accounts for 44%. By the end of July 2019, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US reached US $ 189 million, up nearly 61% over the same period in 2018. This shows the export trend in the first half of this year, most of the Vietnamese tuna products are exported to the US market after exports to EU and Israel slid.
EU
This year, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU were not very favorable. After the recovery in the second quarter of 2017, Vietnam's tuna exports in July were not satisfactory. Tuna export value of Vietnam to this market in July 2019 decreased by 20%, reaching US$10 million. Therefore, in the first 7 months of 2019, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU was only nearly US$82 million, down by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2018.
In July, while exports to Italy continued to increase incredibly by 337% over the same period.Tuna exports to Germany and the Netherlands continuously dropped.
The US have increased import tax on Chinese tuna products in this year, so China have switched to export tuna to the EU.This has led to increased competitiveness in the EU tuna market. Besides, tuna inventory in the EU is currently at a high level. All of these have affected EU tuna imports from Vietnam.
Japan
Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan continued to have good growth in July 2019. This has helped to raise the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to this market in the first 7 months of 2019, up from the same period in 2018. Exports of frozen tuna loin/fillets from Vietnam to this market continuously declined.
ASEAN
In July, Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN reversed to increase. Tuna export value of Vietnam to this market increased by 47% over the same period, reaching US$5.5 million. However, due to the decline in previous months, the total export value in 7 months still declined by 2.5%. The growth in exports to ASEAN in July was due to the growth in tuna exports to Thailand in this month. This year, exports of processed tuna from Vietnam to Thailand decreased, while exports of fresh/live and frozen tuna increased over the same period.
It is forecasted that Vietnam's tuna exports in the coming months will continue the current growth momentum.