According to the VASEP, tuna exports earned the country US$225 million 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 US$123 million in the third quarter, up 5% against the same period, thanks to increasing tuna consumption in the US and the EU.
The increase in the third quarter would help tuna exports reach US$455 million 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% 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% 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.