Vietnam tuna exports hard to touch US$600 million

Tuna sales of the country abroad in 2013 is forecasted to be lower than that of 2012 (nearly US$600 million) because exports to two main markets tends to continue the decline in coming months.

According to Vietnam Customs, through September 2013, shipment of tuna products (HS code 03) reached more than US$230 million, down 19.14 percent over 2012 (US$284.4 million). Exports of dried/frozen/fresh/live tuna and tuna loin decreased 27.67 percent and 11.39 percent, respectively; however, exports of canned tuna increased 11 percent and exports of other processed tuna rose 90 percent.

The decline in Vietnam’s caught tuna production in recent months lessened raw tuna supply for processing. Besides, it was attributable to 10-15 percent increase in costs for fishing trips (fuel, materials, food, ice water and fishing gears, labour)

Backward techniques in pre-processing and post-harvest preservation in tuna vessels of Vietnam are negatively affecting the quality of tuna. Thus, Vietnam’s tuna exports find it hard to soar.

So far this year, Vietnam tuna exports to Japan have reported a deep fall. The figure in Sep 2013 was down 24 percent and 20 percent in Jan-Sep 2013.