Workers clean tuna (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam’s tuna exports are expected to bring much revenue as in 2015 despite a slight decline in orders from Japan, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
According to the VASEP, tuna exports earned the country 225 million USD in the first half this year, a slightly less than the same period last year. The decline happened in all markets except ASEAN countries.
VASEP predicts the tuna export value will reach 123 million USD in the third quarter, up five percent against the same period, thanks to increasing tuna consumption in the United States and the European Union.
The increase in the third quarter would help tuna exports reach 455 million USD for the whole year, equivalent to the revenue of 2015.
Among the major importers, Japan has seen the deepest decline with a decrease of nearly 34 percent in the second quarter this year.
According to Le Hang, Vice Director of the VASEP.Pro Centre, the main reason leading to the decrease of tuna exports to Japan is the high levy of 6.4-7.2 percent imposed on Vietnam’s tuna.
Besides that, high production costs entail the high price of Vietnam’s tuna.
Japan is the fourth largest importer of Vietnam’s tuna, after the US, EU, and ASEAN.-VNA
