January 23, 2013

Vietnam exported over US$44.6 million worth of tuna products in November 2012, an increase of 51.7% on-year.

Between January and November, tuna exports were valued at US$526.5 million, up 53.1% over January-November 2011, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

During this period, the US was the largest consumer of Vietnamese tuna with a proportion of 43.6% at US$19.5 million in November (up 51.3%) and US$232.1 million in January-November (47.3% higher).

The US was followed by the EU and Japan. The EU consumed US$10.3 million worth of Vietnam's tuna in November 2012, taking up 23.1% and showing growth of 26.8%, and imported US$101.6 million worth of the fish in January-November 2012, representing 19.3% of the market and showing an expansion of 43.2%. Japan imported US$1.6 million worth in November 2012, taking up 3.7% of sales with a drop of 27.3%, and US$50.6 million in January-November 2012, representing 9.6% of the market and showing growth of 30%.

Next is Israel at US$1 million in Vietnamese tuna purchases in November 2012, up 99% at 2.5% of the market, and at US$11.4 million in January-November, up 165.9% and taking up 2.2% of the market. Canada followed with US$284,000 in November, representing 0.6% of the market and down 64%, and with US$9.7 million in January-November 2012, up 40.3% and taking up 1.8% of sales. Shipments to most markets in the top 10 increased in value, except Iran with a decline of 5%.

In January-November 2012, Yueh Chyang was the leading exporter of tuna products with more than US$63.65 million of revenue. Havuco ranked the second with nearly US$60 million and was followed by Thinh Hung Co, Ltd with over US$51.5 million.

In fourth place came Tin Thinh Co with US$50.8 million, with Foodtech Co ranking fifth with US$50.78 million, and Hai Long Nha Trang Seafood Co in sixth place with US$40.2 million. In seventh place is Highland Dragon with US$36 million, followed by Toan Thang Co in eighth place with US$35.8 million, Hong Ngoc PTE in ninth with US$33.5 million and Bidifisco in 10th with US$28.7 million.