Tuna fishing faces difficulties despite growth

News 09:22 16/05/2013 502
Vietnam’s tuna exports have earned 154 million USD so far this year, a year-on-year increase of 19 percent, and the highest growth among seafood exports.

However, its growth also causes concerns – a drop in tuna quality has resulted in a sharp fall in price.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the US has so far this year imported 57 million USD worth of Vietnamese tuna, an increase of 3 percent from the same period last year. It is followed by the European Union with 32 million USD (a rise of 37 percent) and ASEAN with 9.4 million USD (an 81 percent increase).

Nevertheless, despite the high output of tuna in the first months of 2013, the quality of tuna is being threatened by an increasing number of fishermen using high pressure lamps to reduce costs and increase productivity. This has reduced quality and disqualifies the product for export, say experts.

As a result, tuna prices have seen a continuous decline over the past months. In early March, prices in central coastal Khanh Hoa province ranged from 60,000 VND to 65,000 VND (3 USD) per kilo, now they reach only 50,000 VND to 55,000 VND (2.5 USD).

Meanwhile, increases in fuel price, ice and other necessities raise fishing costs.

Nguyen Van Giang, a ship owner of ship in Khanh Hoa province, said the cost of a 30-day fishing trip used to be 150 million VND (7,200 USD). At present, it costs an extra 20 million VND. After deducting expenses, many make a loss.

Low incomes have made many fishermen quit and do other jobs. Now, a large number of ships in central provinces like Phu Yen and Binh Dinh cannot go fishing due to a lack of labour.

Chairman of the Vietnam Tuna Association Vu Dinh Dap forecasts a record tuna output of 17,000-18,000 tonnes this year. To enhance the quality, fishermen should avoid using high pressure lamps and use traditional methods to fish for tuna.

Sharing the same view, Chairman of the Phu Yen Tuna Association Nguyen Khac Tan said that the industry needs to make regulations to prevent fishing by high pressure lamps and ensure the quality, value and trademark of Vietnamese tuna in the global market.

Besides, the Government needs to issue more preferential policies for the industry.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Tuna fishing faces difficulties despite growth tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

VASEP Data Power – A comprehensive data and tool ecosystem for Vietnam’s seafood businesses

 |  21:09 17/12/2025

Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community

An Giang: Developing climate-resilient marine aquaculture

 |  09:01 16/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.

Vietnam pangasius in China: Stable demand, intensifying competition

 |  10:02 11/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.

Vietnam’s lobster exports set for another strong surge in 2025

 |  08:58 09/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.

Da Nang city takes strong action against IUU fishing

 |  11:12 05/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel drop nearly 50% in the first 9 months of 2025

 |  09:13 04/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.

Vietnam exports first shipment of 700 tons of tilapia to Brazil

 |  09:42 02/12/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.

Pangasius Exports in October 2025: Positive Growth Momentum Led by China's Recovery

 |  12:40 28/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.

Appeal letter: Calling for Support to overcome the consequences of flooding in the central provinces

 |  10:39 27/11/2025

In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.

Raw shrimp prices remain stable, slight declines in some sizes at the end of October 2025

 |  09:04 26/11/2025

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC