Vietnamese tuna exports rake in nearly US$100 million

Estimates from the beginning of the year have showed exports of Vietnamese tuna at nearly US$100 million, up 100% in both volume and value over the same period in 2009.

According to the Association of Seafood Export and Processing of Vietnam (VASEP), the tuna export turnover of Vietnam to most traditional markets like the US Japan, Canada have strong growth; particularly, the US and Canada, which have increased over 500% over the same period last year.

With an average export price reached at US$3.83 per kg, US and Canada both maintained a positive growth rate in overall volume and value since 2009.

Besides the US and Canada, tuna exported to Japan, Taiwan and Israel is also growing strongly. Specifically, tuna exports to Japan reached more than 10 million, up over 100%, reaching over NT$1 million, up 200% in both volume and value.

However, in contrast to other markets, export tuna to the EU (Germany, Belgium, Italy) during this time reduced. Moreover, tuna exports are also constantly being devalued by the effect the provisions of European Commission (EC).

VASEP said tuna exports to the EU in the coming period will also face many difficulties and challenges as the certificate of seafood exploitation (CC license) plate has become travel tickets needed for Vietnam's tuna to be exported to the EU.

To enhance the competitiveness of tuna in Vietnam, the Vietnam Association of Fisheries is conducting a charity set up surveillance and protection of ocean tuna fishing at the national level.

The organisation will form the link between fishing vessels adapted for fishermen with vessels of the company, the ship owner with the business consumer product so as to protect the interests of the profession ocean tuna production in Vietnam.

According to experts, fisheries, ocean tuna products of Vietnam can compete with many other products and brand building ocean tuna are laid out quite urgent to raise the production value products.