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According to preliminary statistics from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processors and Exporters (VASEP), Vietnam’s tuna exports in March reached nearly USD 84 million, up 17% compared to February 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, tuna products brought in USD 215 million, up 19% compared to the same period in 2023.
All tuna export products are experiencing strong growth compared to the same period last year, such as fresh, frozen and dried tuna up 195%, frozen tuna meat/loin up 2%, canned tuna recorded an increase of 49%,…
In terms of markets, the US continues to be the largest market for Vietnamese tuna with over USD 32 million, up 12%. Along with the US, orders to Europe also grew again in March, with the European market group reaching a turnover of USD 19 million, up 30%.
Tuna exports to Italy and Germany, the two markets that import the most tuna from Vietnam in this bloc, continued to grow well with an increase of 192% and 2%, respectively. However, many markets in the EU bloc such as the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania… are reducing imports from Vietnam.
Exports to Israel and Canada are also continuing to accelerate this March, with growth rates of 95% and 143%, respectively. Notably, after a period of instability, tuna exports to Russia began to grow in March. In the first quarter, exports to this market increased by 65%, reaching nearly USD 9 million.
Also according to VASEP, as of the end of March 2024, Vietnam’s tuna had been exported to 86 markets worldwide. Of which, exports to major markets such as the US, EU, the bloc of countries participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Israel, Russia, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand accounted for 90% of total export value.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the output of marine exploitation in the first 3 months of 2024 is estimated at 833.6 thousand tons, a slight decrease of 0.1% compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of tuna alone, the output of tuna exploitation in the first 3 months of 2024 in the 3 key tuna exploitation provinces is estimated at 5,392 tons, a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to the same period last year, in which: Phu Yen is estimated at 1,008 tons, an estimated decrease of 12% compared to the same period; Binh Dinh is estimated at 3,916 tons, up 4%; Khanh Hoa is estimated at 368 tons, down 12%.
Not only has it been a billion-dollar export item for Vietnam since 2022, tuna is also known as a “superfood” due to its many health benefits. Tuna has the ability to reduce cardiovascular disorders, stimulate growth and development, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and aid in weight loss.
Tuna also has the ability to boost the immune system, increase energy, support skin care, increase red blood cell count, and prevent cancer. Besides, it also protects against various kidney diseases, prevents age-related macular degeneration, reduces general inflammation, and inhibits cell membrane damage.
Given the difficulties the tuna industry is facing, VASEP predicts that tuna exports this year will find it difficult to reach the “billion-dollar” mark as in 2022.
