Vietnam’s tuna market sees export growth

Vietnam's tuna export soared between January and November 2012 to register an increase of 53.1 per cent over January and November 2011

The US was the biggest importer of Vietnam's tuna between January and November 2012. (Image source: Ali San/Flickr)

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), tuna exports were valued at US$526.5mn between January and November last year.

The US was the largest consumer of Vietnamese tuna during the period with a proportion of 43.6 per cent at US$19.5mn in November and US$232.1mn between January and November 2012. The US was followed by the European Union (EU) and Japan.

The EU consumed US$10.3mn worth of Vietnam’s tuna in November 2012 and imported US$101.6mn worth of the fish between January-November 2012, representing 19.3 per cent of the market.

Japan imported US$1.6mn worth of tuna in November 2012 and US$50.6mn between January-November 2012, representing 9.6 per cent of the market.

Israel and Canada were also significant Vietnamese tuna importer in the period.

Shipments to most markets increased in value during the period, except Iran which registered a decline of five per cent.

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