Tuna exports: a 3-digit growth rate in the first month of 2022

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), information from the General Department of Vietnam Customs shows that turnover from tuna export in January 2022 reached nearly $88 million, up 108% over the same session of 2021.

Frozen tuna meat/fillets merchandise remained as the "trump card" in Vietnam’s tuna export, accounting for more than 66% of export turnover in January. In which, export of frozen tuna meat/fillets and other processed tuna products (mainly frozen steamed tuna loin) to other markets increased sharply with 3-digit growth, up 172% and 278% over the same period, respectively.

In 8 major markets for Vietnam’s tuna, which are the US, EU, CPTPP, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and China (accounting for more than 90% of the total export turnover), export experienced an increase, except for China.

Of which, the US remains the largest import market of Vietnam’s tuna, making up to nearly 50% of the total export value in January, reaching nearly $44 million, up 210% over the same session of 2021.

Along with the US, tuna export to EU countries has also accelerated in the first month of the year. Most notably, in January, the Netherlands and Lithuania appear in the top 3 leading markets of the EU in terms of tuna import value from Vietnam. The value of tuna export to these two markets in January increased at a very strong rate of 243% and 1,938%, respectively, over the same session of 2021.

In the CPTPP market bloc, after a decline in the fourth quarter of 2021, tuna export to a number of markets in this agreement bloc have improved in the first month of 2022. For example, export to Canada and Peru increased by 26% and 2,289% respectively over the same session of 2021.

Despite Chile not being in the top 4 leading markets, exports to this market also increased sharply by 219%, Meanwhile, exports to Japan decreased by 17% over the same period.