(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam tuna exports in August 2015 continued to post a year-on-year reduction of nearly 10% to reach US$39.8 million. The figure in the first 8 months of the year hit US$303.5 million, down 7% year on year. The decline was attributable to lower demand from main importing market and year-on-year drop in global tuna price.
Among total tuna exported in Jan-Aug 2015, tuna HS code 0303 took the largest proportion of 45%, followed by canned tuna with the proportion of 33%. Proportion for frozen/live/fresh tuna reported a slight increase comparing to the early 2015.
Tuna in the US is on the rise
In August 2015, Vietnam tuna exports to its largest market, the US, surpassed US$16 million, but still 1.6% lower that last year's result. The first 8 months of 2015 experienced a 11% year on year rise of tuna exports to this market, reaching US$127.3 million.
Through August, exports of frozen/live/fresh tuna to the US touched US$78.8 million, up 19% year on year. Exports of processed tuna to the market reached US$48.4 million, up 0.3% year on year.
Tuna exports to EU: look for recovery
Vietnam tuna export to EU was still in search of recovery. The export value in Jan-Aug 2015 reached nearly US$69 million, down 25% year on year.
Spain, one of EU's top 3 tuna importers reported postivie growth in tuna imports from Vietnam. In Jan-Aug 2015, exports of frozen/live/fresh tuna to the market touched US$31.4 million and exports of processed and canned tuna were US$37.5 million.
Exports to ASEAN ups 8%
ASEAN, ranking the third in Vietnam's top importing markets for tuna, reported 8% rise to US$23.3 million in Jan-Aug 2015. Vietnam tuna exports to Thailand, the biggest market in the bloc, stood at more than US$1.5 million.
Vietnam's canned tuna sales in Japan rise
Vietnam tuna sales to Japan in Jan-Aug 2015 reached US$14 million, while sales of frozen/live/fresh tuna reached US$9 million. Canned tuna sales to the market, being quite modest at US$4.8 million, increased by 16%.