Vietnam's tuna exports to Belgium increase continuously

According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, tuna export turnover to Belgium in the first 7 months of 2022 reached more than 12 million USD, up 95% compared to the same period in 2021. Among exported products, Belgium mainly imports frozen tuna meat/loin products (HS code 0304) from Vietnam, accounting for 91% of the total tuna export value to this market.

Currently, there are about 20 Vietnamese enterprises exporting tuna to the Belgian market. Trang Thuy Seafood, Bidifisco and Tithico are the 3 exporters with the largest export value to this market in the first 7 months of 2022.

Before, the Belgian tuna market was heavily dependent on suppliers from other EU countries, such as the Netherlands rather than imported from sources outside the bloc. However, due to limited imports from EU sources in the first months of 2022, Belgium is increasing tuna imports from non-EU countries.

According to ITC statistics, Belgium's tuna imports from non-EU sources are increasing rapidly in the first five months of 2022, up 49% over the same period in 2021.

Among the 20 sources outside the EU, Ecuador, the Philippines and Vietnam were the 3 largest tuna suppliers to this market in the first 5 months of 2022. Tuna imports from these three sources in this period all increased sharply, but the growth rate of imports from Vietnam was slower. With the advantage of a strong fishing fleet, Ecuador and the Philippines are rapidly expanding their market share in Belgium.

Compiled by Thuy Linh