(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tuna sector faced numerous challenges in the latter half of 2024. While the year proved memorable, with export turnover reaching nearly USD 1 billion, maintaining this growth trajectory requires renewed impetus for the tuna industry.
Impressive seafood export turnover
According to data from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam's tuna exports in December 2024 reached nearly USD 86 million, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Cumulatively for the entire year 2024, tuna export turnover reached USD 989 million, a 17% increase compared to 2023.
Over the past year, exports of all Vietnamese tuna product groups increased year-on-year. Notably, exports of other processed tuna products, after a continuous decline in the first months of the year, experienced continuous growth in the final months, increasing by 24% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of total export turnover. In contrast, exports of canned tuna products tended to decline in the latter half of the year. Cumulatively for 2024, canned tuna exports increased by 17%.
Vietnam's frozen tuna meat/loin products still hold the highest proportion. Exports of this product group in 2024 rebounded and showed a rapid upward trend in the final months of the year.
Across markets, by the end of 2024, tuna exports to key markets remained higher than in 2023. However, export growth rates tended to be unstable in the second half of the year. Notably, tuna exports to the EU saw a slight rebound in December.
Along with the EU, tuna exports to Canada, after a period of decline, also accelerated in the final two months of the year. In December 2024 alone, tuna exports to Canada increased by 40% compared to the same period in 2023.
Conversely, exports to Japan have been declining continuously in the last two months of the year. In December 2024, exports to this market decreased by 27%. Exports to Israel also experienced a decline in December, with a 28% decrease compared to the same period.
Opportunities and challenges in 2025
Vietnam's tuna industry is expected to maintain its growth momentum in 2025 due to continued growth in demand for products. Furthermore, innovations in tariff policies in international markets, particularly in the US, are expected to provide a boost to exports.
Analysis suggests that in a potential second term of a US presidency under the previous administration, Vietnam could continue to benefit from high tariffs imposed on products imported from China. Additionally, the initial months following the reinstatement of tariff preferences under trade agreements present a favorable opportunity for businesses to increase exports to various markets.