Tuna exports soar

Vietnam exported $74 million worth of tuna in April, a 50 percent year-on-year surge, with the U.S. and E.U. buying more.

Tuna processing in a factory in Binh Dinh Province, south central Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Tri Tin.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), tuna exports to the U.S. saw the highest growth with a 56 percent year-on-year surge in April.

The association also reported a change in the export structure with the export of fresh and frozen tuna to the U.S. rising in April, while that of canned products decreased.Exports to the E.U. and members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP) trade pact also saw increases of 31 percent and 42 percent in April, respectively.

The association said tuna exports to these major markets will continue to rise because preferential tariffs under free trade agreements are attracting foreign importers.

Vietnam has exported $226 million worth of tuna by the end of April this year, up 15 percent year-on-year, even as the number of importing markets reduced to 63 from 90 last year.