Tuna exports soar early this year

Tuna exports have rebounded from stagnation due to the global financial crisis with rises of 150 percent in quantity and 170 percent in export value year-on-year.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP), the US took the lead among importers in the first months of this year, buying over 3,000 tonnes of tuna with revenue topping 15 million USD—both five-fold increases over the same period last year.

Aside from the US, exports to Japan, Taiwan and Canada also got off to a roaring start with triple digit growth rates in both quantity and quality.

During the first two months of this year, local exporters are exploring new markets like the Bahamas and Libya, yet the prices are said to remain less attractive.

The VASEP said tuna prices are likely to be buoyed up in the coming months due to uncontrolled fishing activities. Many fishermen are still unaware of the need to keep a fishing diary as required by the European Commission’s regulations on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Tags: Vietnam Seafood, Vietnam seafood exports, vietnam tuna exports