The Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reports that in 2011, total tuna export value was estimated to hit about US$380 million.
Compared to the corresponding period of 2010, tuna export price in 2011 climbed sharply in which the tuna export price to Japan witnessed the highest increase of 100 per cent, the export price to Canada, Israel, the US, and Switzerland increased 50 to 80 per cent. However, export price to Iran, Taiwan, and Germany rose slowly.
In Jan-Nov 2011, tuna (live, fresh or frozen) exports hit US$210.7 million, occupying 61.3 per cent of total export value while tuna (preserved and prepared) exports reached US$133.1 million, representing 38.7 per cent. In Jan-Nov 2011, there were 92 markets importing Vietnamese tuna, in which the US, Japan and the EU are thre three top importers.
The US is the biggest and the most stable tuna importer of Viet Nam. The export price to the market increased comparatively from 40 to 60 per cent on that of the same period of 2010. Consuming demand of tuna in the market is firm.
In Jan-Nov 2011, Vietnamese tuna export to the market reached US$157.6 million, up 31.2 per cent over 2010. The US imported mainly processed skipjack tuna and frozen yellowfin tuna from Viet Nam.
EU: Tuna exports to the EU hit approximately US$71 million, up 23.2 per cent in value over 2010. In 2011, the export price to the market reported a slowest and instable growth. Vietnamese tuna export value to Germany increased 78 per cent, Italy up 36 per cent and Belgium down slighly 6.2 per cent.
Japan: Among all tuna importers of Viet Nam, tuna export value to Japan reported a sharp growth, up from 80 to 150 per cent in the first eleven months over the same period of 2010. However, Japan is also a partner with strict requirements to Viet nam tuna exporters.
In the last five months of 2011, tuna exports to the market kept growing. As of November 2011, tuna exports to Japan reached nearly US$39 million, increasing 86.8 per cent and rising over 200 percent in value in November alone compared to the same period of 2010.
