Tuna exports to EU market reached 133 million USD

In July 2024, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU began to show signs of decline compared to the same period last year, down 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 133 million USD.

Photo: VASEP

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 growing continuously from March to June, tuna exports to the EU decreased by 14% in July.

Canned tuna is the main product exported to the EU, accounting for nearly 39% of Vietnam's total tuna export turnover to this market. Illustrative photo

VASEP compiled opinions from businesses saying 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 exploitation of 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. Some tuna enterprises have completely stopped purchasing domestically exploited skipjack tuna raw materials because they cannot ensure that 100% of the size is 0.5m or larger. Most fishing ports have now stopped certifying raw materials (S/C papers) for skipjack tuna shipments because the size of the exploited fish is smaller than the regulations of Decree 37.

Photo: VASEP

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

Therefore, the representative of the Institute of Marine Research proposed that there should be effective measures to manage aquatic resources. The world today applies not only input management but also output management measures for aquatic resources. Input management includes exploitation intensity, number of vessels, conservation, exploitation size... while output management includes management through exploitation quotas, total allowable exploitation output...

Source: https://congthuong.vn/xuat-khau-ca-ngu-sang-thi-truong-eu-dat-133-trieu-usd-343173.html