Vietnam's tuna export value to the EU as of August 15, 2024 increased by 28% over the same period in 2023, reaching more than USD 133 million.

In July 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU began to show signs of decline compared to the same period last year, a decrease of 14%. In the first half of August, although Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU increased, exports of canned tuna products continued to decline sharply.

According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the value of Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU as of August 15, 2024 increased by 28% over the same period in 2023, reaching more than USD 133 million.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), canned tuna is currently the main product exported to the EU, accounting for nearly 39% of Vietnam's total tuna export turnover to this market (accumulated from the beginning of the year to August 15).

In the first months of this year, tuna exports to the EU market have fluctuated. After achieving continuous growth from March to June 2024, tuna exports to the EU fell by 14% in July.

According to a synthesis of opinions compiled by VASEP from businesses, it is known that the reason for the decline in tuna exports to the EU in recent months is that the preferential tariff quota is gradually running out and businesses are facing difficulties in the supply of skipjack tuna of pure Vietnamese origin (the main raw material for the canned tuna processing and export industry).

Decree 37/2024/ND-CP (effective from May 19, 2024) stipulates that the minimum length allowed for caught skipjack tuna is 0.5m. According to VASEP, this regulation is making it impossible for tuna processing and exporting enterprises to purchase tuna raw materials in accordance with the new regulations. A number of tuna businesses have completely stopped purchasing domestically caught skipjack tuna because they cannot guarantee 100% of the size to be 0.5m or larger. Most fishing ports have now stopped certifying raw materials for skipjack tuna shipments because the size of the caught fish is smaller than that in the regulations of Decree 37.

Meanwhile, at a meeting to discuss about difficulties and obstacles in implementing Decree No. 37 held on August 30 in Hanoi, Director of the Research Institute for Marine Fisheries Nguyen Khac Bat said that Vietnam's marine seafood resources have decreased by over 30% since 2005, especially for the bottom fish species. For skipjack tuna, resources have decreased by 80% from 2000 - 2005 to present.

Kylie Nguyen