(vasep.com.vn) Over the past 5 years, the UK has been one of the 17 largest tuna export markets for Vietnam. But in 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports to the UK were unstable. The export value of Vietnamese tuna to this market reached nearly 7 million USD, going down by 2% compared to 2019 due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic and Britain's departure from the European Union (EU) changed British consumer behavior.

In the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnam's tuna exports to Canada in the first 11 months of 2020 still increased by 25% over the same period. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), effective from January 14, 2019, has created leverage for tuna exports to this market.

(vasep.com.vn) In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic spread out all over the world that had a tremendous impact on the world tuna industry in general and the Vietnamese tuna industry in particular. Despite the difficulties, Vietnamese tuna processing and exporting enterprises have still been making efforts to overcome drawbacks.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of continuous decline, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US have risen again. Yet, the growth rate is still low. Specifically, the value of Vietnam's tuna exports to the US in August and September spiked by 5.2% and 1.6%, respectively. Therefore, the total export value in the first 9 months of the year to the US was only over US$208 million, down 13.8% over the same period in 2019.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is the 7th largest tuna importer for Vietnamese tuna, accounting for 2.4% of the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to markets in the first 8 months of 2020. Although the proportion is not large, the export of tuna to Egypt in the first 8 months of 2020 was quite impressive (especially in the past two months - July and August 2020). By the end of August 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports to Egypt reached more than 10 million USD, up nearly 65% over the same period in 2019.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first half of 2020, demand for German tuna (especially canned tuna) rose. The volume of tuna imports of this country reached the highest level in the past 5 years. This is mainly due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused many families in Germany to stock up on tuna to ensure a healthy and long-term source of protein.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On August 1, 2020, the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam (EVFTA) was officially implemented. Besides, Vietnamese tuna industry recorded a growth in exports to the EU. Along with the EU's gradual control of the Covid-19 epidemic, the effect of EVFTA has had a positive impact on Vietnam's tuna exports.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After recovering in July, Vietnam's tuna exports in August did not grow as expected, the export value decreased by 6% compared to the same period in 2018. However, tuna exports to some of the main markets were brighter.

A workshop was held in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on October 10 to promote tuna supply chain, and tuna exports to the EU under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of July 2020, the total value of Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan reached more than $ 16.8 million, up 8% over the same period in 2019. However, after continuous growth in the first five months of 2020, Vietnam's tuna exports to this market decreased in June and July.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Covid-19 outbreak in the Japanese market continued to affect the tuna industry in this country. Japanese people are changing their tuna consumption habits by switching from eating at restaurants to eating at home. Although sushi restaurants have converted to take-out, sales have still declined.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp and tuna exports to EU markets showed signs of recovery in July and August despite the impact of COVID-19, rising slightly against previous months and the same period last year.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic has not come to an end, the tuna industry is facing the second wave of the pandemic, which impacts severely on the global tuna market and tuna exports of Vietnam in particular. By the end of June, Vietnam's tuna exports in the first 6 months of 2020 continued to fall, down 20% over the same period in 2019, reaching nearly US$ 293 million.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In May 2020, Vietnam's tuna export value to major markets remained low. This indicated that the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the tuna industry is still lasting.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect Vietnam's tuna exports to markets. By the end of April 2020, Vietnam's total tuna export value reached US$ 196 million, down 16% compared to the same period in 2019. So far, Vietnam's tuna exports to markets have not been signs of recovery. However, there are also some good signals from import markets such as Japan and Egypt. Tuna exporters are also trying to expand exports to new markets to offset the decline in traditional markets.