In the first 6 months of the year, tuna export turnover reached US$553 million, up 56% over the same period last year.
This is the data that has just been cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) from Customs.
Currently, tuna exports to main markets are all growing well, in which, the US has the strongest increase. In the first half of the year, the total value of tuna exports to this market reached more than 300 million USD, up 96% compared to the same period in 2021. The reason is due to increased demand in the US, in which, tuna catches in the region East Pacific region (EPO) is low, which has affected the catches of the US fishing fleet. Besides, high inflation has pushed up the demand for canned tuna.
In addition, tuna exports to the CPTPP were also quite positive, in which, exports to Canada increased by 68%, to Japan by 26% and to Mexico by 30%. In addition to the three major markets above, in the first 6 months of the year, tuna exports to Thailand increased by 59%; Philippines up 86%...
With the EU market, tuna exports in the first 6 months reached 77 million USD, up 4% over the same period. This is the group with the lowest growth rate due to the continuous decline in exports in the last 3 months. The depreciation of the EUR, while the strong increase of the USD pushes up the price of expensive goods.
VASEP forecasts that tuna exports in the second half of the year will grow well. Export turnover this year is estimated at 1.1 billion USD, up 45% compared to 2021.
Although VASEP predicts a positive export situation in the second half of the year, high oil prices are causing many fishing vessels to lie ashore, causing a decrease in supply. Therefore, tuna processing and exporting enterprises must import from countries and territories that do not have trade agreements (FTAs) with Vietnam. This has prevented Vietnam's tuna shipments from taking advantage of the advantages of the FTA compared to other rival countries.