(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2021, Vietnam's tuna export decreased by 22% compared to the same period in 2020, reaching nearly 43 million USD. Accumulated in the first two months of the year, the total export value of tuna reached 85 million USD, down by 10% compared to the same period in 2020. Vietnam has exported tuna to 54 markets around the world.
The US - EU
In the first two months of 2021, the total value of tuna exports to the US reached 32 million USD, down by 17% and to the EU worthed 16 million USD, down by 5% over the same period last year. However, among EU countries, tuna exports to Italy and the Netherlands increased sharply over the same period last year, especially exports to Italy recorded three-digit growth, up by 136%.
Earlier this year, a global supply chain disruption and large-scale foreign trade disruption left 25 million empty containers scattered all over the place, affecting Vietnam's tuna exports to the US and EU. In addition, the sea freight for the US and EU routes increased, the shipping lines prioritize dry cargo because of favorable freight rates. This has resulted in a decrease in Vietnam's tuna exports to the US and EU countries. It is expected that, after the service industry has rebounded in the US and EU, retail consumption will decrease, canned tuna products imports will decrease, instead imports of fresh and frozen tuna , steamed tuna loin… will increase.
CPTPP
By the end of February 2021, the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to this market reached nearly 13 million USD, down by 9% over the same period last year. Tuna exports to Canada increased by 36% and Chile increased by 22%, while exports to Japan decreased by 16% and Mexico decreased by 28% year-on-year. In 2020, the Japanese tuna market was strongly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, so Japan's tuna imports decreased. And this trend continued in the first quarter of this year.
Contrary to Japan, Vietnam's tuna exports to Canada continued to increase in the first two months of this year. The CPTPP agreement taking effect continues to have a good impact on Vietnam's tuna exports to this market. Vietnam's exports of canned tuna and frozen tuna are attracting Canadian importers.