Source: The FishSite

In the first 11 months of 2011, tuna exports reached USD 343.8 million, up 29.4 percent over that of the same period of last year and accounted for 6.3 percent of the total seafood export value of Viet Nam.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reports that in 2011 total tuna export value was estimated to hit about USD 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 percent, the export price to Canada, Israel, the US, and Switzerland increased 50 to 80 percent. However, export price to Iran, Taiwan, and Germany rose slowly.

In Jan-Nov 2011, tuna (live, fresh or frozen) exports hit USD 210.7 million, occupying 61.3 percent of total export value while tuna (preserved and prepared) exports reached USD 133.1 million, representing 38.7 percent. In Jan-Nov 2011, there were 92 markets importing Vietnamese tuna, in which the US, Japan and the EU are the 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 percent 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 USD 157.6 million, up 31.2 percent over 2010. The US imported mainly processed skipjack tuna and frozen yellowfin tuna from Viet Nam.

EU: Tuna exports to the EU hit approximately USD 71 million, up 23.2 percent 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 percent, Italy up 36 percent and Belgium down slightly 6.2 percent.

Japan: Among all tuna importers of Viet Nam, tuna export value to Japan reported a sharp growth, up from 80 to 150 percent 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 USD 39 million, increasing 86.8 percent and rising over 200 percent in value in November alone compared to the same period of 2010.