(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the last month of 2018, Vietnam's tuna export continued to grow. In 2018, Tuna export increased by 10% compared with 2017, reaching nearly US$ 653 million. Relative to 2017, the export growth rate to most major export markets was lower.
The U.S
In December, Vietnam's Tuna export to the US continued to grow well. Tuna export value to this market reached nearly US$ 21 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2017. In 2018, Tuna export value to the US still increased by 1.7% compared to 2017; this helped the US retain its leading position in Vietnam's Tuna export markets. However, the proportion of Tuna export to the US in 2018 was only 35%, lower than in 2017.
EU
In the last 3 months of 2018, the export value of Vietnamese Tuna to the EU continued to decline. The reason was due to large inventories having prevented EU importers from buying. Besides, the price of Tuna in the last months of the year cooled down, causing the export value of this market in December fell 0.6%, reaching US$ 13 million. Due to the export of Tuna to EU having improved in the previous months, the total value of Tuna export in 2018 still increased by 11.5%, reaching US$ 158 million.
The top 3 biggest Tuna export markets of Vietnam in the EU changed in 2018. With the impressive growth continuously at 3 digits in the past months, Spain was occupying the top position with a total export value of US$30 million, followed by Netherlands with US$ 25 million. Meanwhile, export of Tuna to Germany continued to decline, which caused this market to drop to the 3rd position. This year, supply from Ecuador was limited due to lower catches. At the same time, pushing high price of Tuna in Malta made Spain and the Netherlands increased imports of Tuna from Vietnam and other countries to compensate for the shortage.
Israel
After a period of stable growth, Vietnam's Tuna export to Israel in December suddenly dropped. Tuna export value to this market decreased by 15%. However, the decrease was not so much, therefore the total value of Tuna export to Israel in 2018 still increased 42% year on year, reaching US$ 63 million, accounting for 9.6%. The proportion of Tuna export from Vietnam to Israel was higher, accounting for 9.6% in 2018. Israel continued to be the 4th largest Tuna export market of Vietnam for two consecutive years.
ASEAN
Like the EU, Vietnam's Tuna export to ASEAN continued to decline in the last 3 months of 2018. However, thanks to good growth in the previous months, the total value of Tuna export to this market in 2018 still increased by 14%, reaching US$50 million.
Thailand continued to be Vietnam's largest Tuna export market in ASEAN. Contrary to 2017, Vietnam's Tuna export to Thailand in 2018 increased. Tuna export value to this market reached US$33 million, up 29% compared to the same period in 2017.
Japan
Tuna exports to Japan in the last months of the year were very bleak. The value of Tuna export decreased continuously every month. However, including 2018, exporting Tuna to this market still increased by 1.7%, reaching US$25 million. This year, although Japanese seafood imports improved due to economic recovery and increased incomes, this trend has not been seen in Tuna industry. Besides, due to the high supply of domestic Tuna from Japan thanks to the support policy of the Japanese government, importing fresh and frozen Tuna of this country decreased.
It is forecast that Tuna export of Vietnam in 2019 is likely to prosper.