Viet Nam's tuna exports to the US (the biggest consumer) reached over 16 thousand MT, valued at $103.4 million, making up over 50 per cent of the total tuna export turnover for the country.
From January to June 2011 the monthly tuna export volume and value to the US grew on last years figures.
VASEP states that in February 2011, due to decreased global demand, tuna exports to the US only reached 1.8 thousand MT, worth $12.2 million. However, the average export price reached $6.75 per kilogram, up 18.4 per cent on those of the same period of 2010.
In June 2011, tuna export value to the US was $11.7 million with the average price at $5.07 per kilogram. This was up 11.4 per cent June 2010 prices.
VASEP states that according to Viet Nam Customs, there are 41 Vietnamese tuna exporters to the US. Hong Ngoc PTE is the leading exporter, with export value of $16.2 million, followed by Thanh Son PTE and Yueh Chyang Co with export values of $12.4 million and $11.7 million, respectively.
In the first six months of 2011, tuna export value to the US accounted for 20.6 per cent of the total seafood exported from Viet Nam to the US. The main tuna product exported is raw tuna, valuing $73.8 million and representing 71.4 per cent of total tuna exports.
According to the statistics of Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), in the first five months of 2011, the US imported tuna from 54 countries worldwide with total volume of 122.4 thousand MT, worth almost $537.2 million.
In the ranking table of tuna exporters to the US, Viet Nam ranks fourth after Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. With the volume of 9.87 thousand MT, worth over $52 million, Viet Nam accounts for 9.7 per cent of the total tuna import value of the US. Thailand showed the highest tuna export value to the market ($212.2 million).
VASEP states that in recent years, Viet Nam ranked after Ecuador in tuna export value to the US. However, in 2011, Viet Nam overtook Ecuador, who was downgraded to fifth.
This is an opportunity for the Viet Nam tuna sector to promote processing and exporting to the US.
Tuna Export Growth To US Maintained
VIET NAM - According to Viet Nam Customs, in the first six months of 2011, Viet Nam tuna was exported to 81 countries and territories worldwide, reaching nearly 45 thousand MT and worth $206.5 million. This was an increase of 9.3 per cent in volume and 32.8 per cent in value on those of the same period last year, reports the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exports (VASEP).
