Continuously from the beginning of the year until now, Vietnam’s yellowfin tuna exporters have faced many difficulties such as increased production costs, increased container rental prices, and higher transportation rates. However, with unremitting efforts and market acumen, the country’s tuna export results in the first half of 2021 still increased by 21% over the same period last year, reaching 355 million USD.
Positive Export Growth to Key Markets
In June 2021 alone, exports to the main import markets all grew positively, except for Japan and Israel, which decreased by 0.8% and 9% respectively. Vietnam’s tuna products have been exported to 103 markets worldwide.
USA: Second Largest Tuna Supplier
The rapid vaccination rollout and economic recovery in the US have led to an increased demand for tuna, as food service chains, restaurants, and hotels reopen. By the end of June 2021, the total value of Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US reached 153 million USD, up nearly 21% over the same period in 2020. Currently, Vietnam is the second largest tuna supplier to the US market.
EU: Continued Prosperity in Tuna Exports
Vietnam’s tuna exports to the EU market continue to prosper. In June 2021 alone, the export value to this market reached nearly 13 million USD, a 49% increase over the same period. The total export value in the first half of 2021 exceeded $74 million, up by 31% over the same period. Notably, tuna exports to Spain experienced a remarkable growth rate of 971% in June compared to the same period last year, making Spain the third largest single tuna import market for Vietnam in the EU.
CPTPP: Growing Exports to Member Countries
By the end of June 2021, the total value of tuna exports to CPTPP member countries reached 46 million USD, accounting for nearly 13% and increasing by 16% compared to the same period last year. In June 2021, the export value to Canada, the largest market in the bloc, increased by nearly 201% to reach 3.6 million USD. The value of tuna exports to Canada is accelerating.
Another prominent market within the CPTPP bloc in the first half of this year is Mexico, which experienced an impressive growth rate in June with 157%, reaching $1.3 million. After a continuous decline in the first quarter of 2021, tuna exports to Mexico have grown consistently. By the end of June, the export value of tuna to Mexico exceeded 6 million USD, a 53% increase over the same period.
Impressive Growth in Other Small Markets
In addition to the main markets, Vietnam’s tuna exports to several small markets have experienced impressive growth over the same period. For example, exports to Russia increased by 70%, Ukraine by 100%, Lebanon by 35%, South Korea by 87%, and Argentina by 79%.
