According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, in January 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports reached more than 79 million USD, an increase of 58% over the same period in 2023, because January 2023 coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday. However, if compared from 2018 back to now, sales in January 2024 are still about 46% higher than the annual average; that is a positive signal for the opening month of the new year 2024.
Exports to all markets increased simultaneously
The top 10 main tuna export markets of Vietnam in January 2024 have changed, including the US, Israel, Russia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Poland. Compared to the same period in 2023, exports to the remaining markets increased except for Thailand.
In the EU market, the reopening of preferential tariff quotas as agreed in the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam (EVFTA) is creating momentum to boost export orders to this market in the first month of the year. Exports to most EU countries increased sharply. In particular, Italy continues to lead in import value in January 2024, with an increase of nearly five times over the same period. Along with Italy, exports to Poland and Sweden also increased dramatically.
In the Middle East market, although continuing to be affected by the war between Israel and the Islamic movement Hamas, exports to some markets in this region are increasing strongly. Specifically, exports to Israel increased 43%, Lebanon increased 13 times, and Egypt increased 43%. Currently, concerns about the increasing war are increasing the demand for food products that can be stored, such as canned tuna in these markets and promote imports.
Difficulties still pile up
Looking at the overall market and tuna industry in 2024, businesses said they are and will face many challenges and difficulties that will slow down the ability to recover production and exports.
Specifically, tensions in the Red Sea are causing many difficulties in the process of transporting export goods in general and seafood products in particular when shipping costs tend to increase. An increase in the selling price of the final product to consumers will greatly affect consumer demand. According to information from businesses, in the past month, the total freight payable for a container of goods transported to the West Coast has increased by 70%. Frozen goods exported to Europe have increased nearly four times. Tensions in the Red Sea also prolong transit time from Asia to Europe, cause difficulty in registering for charter ships, cause prolonged inventory, slow capital flow, high bank interest, etc. All these things will cause export businesses to face difficulties.
In addition, the "IUU yellow card" barrier when exporting to the EU market has not yet been removed, so businesses still encounter many difficulties when exporting to this market block.
It is expected that exports to other markets will continue to recover, but the growth rate will be slow.
With Tet (Lunar New Year) approaching, fishermen along Vietnam's central coast are capitalizing on favourable weather conditions to intensify their fishing efforts, meeting the burgeoning demand for seafood across the nation.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp exports in 2024 reached nearly USD 4 billion, a 14% increase compared to 2023. Reflecting on 2024, the shrimp industry demonstrated resilience and persistent effort in overcoming challenges, solidifying its strong position in exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company (ticker symbol FMC - HoSE), one of Vietnam's largest shrimp exporters, recently announced its 2024 business results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest importers and consumers of Vietnamese pangasius, primarily in the form of frozen fillets. However, in recent years, the country has significantly increased its imports of value-added pangasius products.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After reaching a peak of nearly USD 6 million in June 2024, the export value of Vietnamese tuna to Italy has stagnated and continuously declined in the last five months of the year. Cumulatively, by December 15, 2024, export turnover to this market decreased by 18% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching over USD 30 million. With this decline, Italy is no longer Vietnam's largest tuna import market within the EU bloc.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, with its 32-km coastline, is well-positioned to develop a thriving seafood industry. Recognising the importance of sustainable offshore fishing, local authorities have implemented policies to modernise the fishing fleet and support operations in offshore waters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the evening of December 23, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) held a ceremony to celebrate the seafood export milestone of 10 billion USD, with hopes for continued growth in 2025. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang, and representatives from various ministries, as well as domestic and international partners.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a market share exceeding 10% in Vietnam's aquafeed sector, Sao Mai Super Feed has affirmed its position as one of the leading brands, making a significant contribution to the development of the pangasius industry and elevating Vietnamese pangasius products on the international stage.
Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) Nguyen Hoai Nam said that in the past 5-6 years, Vietnam's seafood export value has only hovered around 8-10 billion USD/year. To reach the value of 16 billion USD by 2030, Mr. Nam proposed establishing corporations/enterprises to exploit the sea.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Hoan Seafood (stock code VHC) announced that its export turnover to three key markets— the U.S., EU, and China—grew between 32% and 40% in November 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
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
