The nation’s exports of tuna to traditional markets so far this year increased sharply over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

The export values to those markets saw three-digit increases, with the Republic of Korea generating the largest growth of 412 percent, followed by Taiwan at 328.8 percent and Canada, 198.3 percent.

According to the Vietnam General Department of Customs, by June 15, the country exported 37,500 tonnes of tuna worth 147 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 71.2 percent in volume and 98 percent in value.

At present, the US is the largest and most stable market for Vietnam’s tuna. The US imported 15,000 tonnes of tuna from Vietnam worth over 75 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 103.8 percent in volume and 179.8 percent in value.

During the review period, the nation also exported 2,600 tonnes of tuna to Japan for nearly 16 million USD, an increase of 50.7 percent in volume and 119.9 percent in value.

However, it is difficult for Vietnamese tuna in Japan to compete with similar products from other regional countries like Thailand and the Philippines due to a higher tax rate.

In addition, export of Vietnamese tuna to the EU decreased due to the effects of the EU’s IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) regulation. Up to June 15, Vietnam’s export of tuna to the EU hit 7,000 tonnes worth over 24.6 million USD, a year-on-year decrease of 14 percent in volume and 6.6 percent in value./.