(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2021, Vietnam's tuna export value to the Middle East reached US$57.5 million, an increase of 15% over the same period in 2020. The Middle East continues to be a market. Vietnam's fourth largest tuna exporter after the US, EU and CPTPP. Currently, there are many tuna companies redirecting their exports to the Middle East markets.
Israel, Egypt and Lebanon are the three largest tuna import markets of Vietnam in this market block.
Israel is Vietnam's second largest single tuna export market after the US, accounting for 6% of the country's total tuna value in the first 10 months of the year. Compared to the same period in 2020, tuna exports to this market increased by 39%.
Meanwhile, exports to Egypt fell again after booming last year. In 2021, exports to this market will be suspended. The value of tuna exports to this market in the first 10 months of the year decreased by 4% over the same period, reaching nearly 12 million USD, accounting for 20% of the total value of tuna exports to this market region.
Along with Egypt, Vietnam's tuna exports to Lebanon also decreased slightly by 4% over the same period. The export value to this market reached nearly $3.4 million, accounting for 6% of the total tuna export value to this market area.
In 2021, there are 28 enterprises participating in exporting to the Middle East market. In which, led by Vietnam Tuna Company Limited (Tuna Vietnam), Tan Phat Canned Joint Stock Company and Binh Dinh Seafood Joint Stock Company (Bidifisco), accounting for nearly 60% of the total export value to this market.
Currently, the Covid-19 pandemic has been gradually controlled in the markets, and the demand for canned tuna has stabilized again. The demand for tuna imports from the Middle East is expected to continue to grow well, especially in markets such as the UAE or Yemen.