Jan-Jul 2016: Vietnam tuna exports creep up

According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s exports of fresh/live/frozen tuna (HS code 03) continues to take the largest proportion. However, exports of the item reported a fall of 9.6% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, shipments of processed tuna (HS code 16) increased by nearly 12%. Notably, exports of fresh, frozen tuna (except for frozen tuna loins HS code 0304) and canned tuna in the first 7 months of this year increased over the same period.

In general, through July 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the main markets witnessed the positive growth. Of that, exports to the U.S. and Canada rebounded.

The U.S.

In July 2016, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. gained US$18.8 million, up 3.8% over the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 estimated at more than US$111.6 million, up 0.5% year on year.

The U.S. remained as the largest importer of canned tuna from Vietnam. However, this year the country increased imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam, especially frozen tuna loins, and reduced imports of canned tuna. The U.S’ imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam reached more than US$76.8 million, up nearly 11% from the year before. Meanwhile, imports of processed tuna (HS code 16) hit US$34.7 million, down more than 16%.

EU

Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU in July touched over US$5 million, down 21.8% from the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 was more than US$55.8 million, down 8.2%.

Italy stayed as the biggest importer of Vietnam tuna in the bloc. Meanwhile, the exports to Germany continued to decline.

This year, the EU increased imports of fresh/live/frozen tuna from Vietnam, while reduced those of processed tuna. Vietnam exports of fresh/live/frozen tuna to the EU in the first 7 months of the year hit US$31.7 million, up 19.3%; those of processed tuna reached more than US$24.4 million, down 29.5% year on year.

ASEAN

Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN still showed the good growth. In July, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market totaled nearly US$4.3 million, up 26.7% over the same period. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 estimated at US$25.5 million, up 24.9% over the same period last year.

Other processed tuna remained the major export items of Vietnam to this market. In the first 7 months of this year, exports of tuna products from Vietnam to the region increased over the same period last year.

Japan

As of July 2016, Japan has slipped to rank the 6^th in the main importing markets of Vietnam tuna. Vietnam's tuna exports to Japan in July reached US$1.7 million, down 10.8% compared to the same period last year. The figure in Jan-Jul 2016 was US$10.3 million, down 10.6% over the same period last year.

While exports of Vietnam processed tuna (HS code 16) to the market went up nearly 10%, those of frozen and fresh tuna decreased by 26.5% compared to the same period last year.

In the coming time, Vietnam's tuna exports to the U.S. will continue the rise thanks to the effects of the TPP. Meanwhile, exports to the EU remains low due to high taxes. However, with the offset from the ASEAN importing markets such as China, Vietnam's tuna exports expected to increase.

Written by Nguyen Ha

Compiled by Dieu Thuy