Vietnam boosts canned tuna exports to Germany

According to International Trade Center (ITC), in the first 5 months of 2013, canned tuna imports into Germany were up 21 percent from that of the same period of 2012. The country imports this item from 25 suppliers in the world, in which, Ecuador was the largest supplier, followed by Philippines, Papua News Guinea and Vietnam.

Through May 2013, Ecuador’s canned tuna exports to Germany surged over 120 percent compared to the same time of 2012. The increase in Ecuador’s tuna exports to Germany was attributable to advance in Ecuador’s tuna catch landings in the late 2012 and lower raw tuna price in Ecuador than that in Bangkok.

While Philippines, the second largest canned tuna exporter to Germany, slashed its tuna exports to the market on par with that of the same time of last year because Philippines does not get tariff preferences like Ecuador. Philippines is making effort to boost negotiations with EU on lowering the tax on canned tuna exported to EU by next year.

In Jan-May 2013, Vietnam’s canned tuna shipment to Germany reported a tremendous increase of 43.98 percent from that of the same period last year.

According to ITC, through May 2013, Vietnam took the lead in exporting tuna loin (HS code 0304) to Germany, followed by Ecuador, the Netherlands and South Korea. Vietnam’s tuna loin exports to Germany, accounting for 32 percent of Germany’s total tuna loin imports, were twice higher than that of Ecuador.