Vietnam's tuna exports to Germany surged 221 percent and its Belgian exports rose 116 percent as part of a 70 percent monthly increase in in its exports to the European Union in August 2022.
Overall, Vietnam made USD 92 million (EUR 91.7 million) from its tuna exports in August, up 86 percent year-over-year, though that increase is partially the results of the nationwide COVID-19-related lockdown Vietnam entered in August 2021, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Vietnam's E.U. tuna exports were up 70 percent year-on-year in the month, which helped raise its total sales to the E.U. to USD 106 million (EUR 105.6 million) in August. Its sales to the U.S. rose 65 percent year-over-year, and its sales to Canada, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Russia also grew in August compared to both 2021 and 2019, though its exports to Spain declined, VASEP said.
Vietnam currently ships its tuna products to 97 countries and territories globally, with sales to most of its major markets up 55 percent through 2022 year-to-date, reaching a total value of USD 730 million (EUR 727.7 million). While export volumes of fresh, frozen, and dried tuna products are all up, the total export volume for processed tuna products has doubled year-over-year through August.
VASEP said consumers in the U.S. and E.U. are tightening their spending due to concerns about high inflation, and many are looking for cheaper food alternatives, such as canned tuna. That increased demand is expected to result in rising sales of frozen tuna loins through at least the end of the year.
Photo courtesy of Renata Apanaviciene/Shutterstock
