Expected by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep), in 2019, seafood exports will increase by 17% and reach 3.5 billion USD, of which, tuna products with many advantages are expected. It is hoped that seafood export will grow strongly. However, by the end of 2019, seafood export turnover reached only US $ 3.2 billion, up 8% compared to 2018, not reaching the expected target, but this is still the highest export level ever. ...
In 2019, seafood export is estimated at US $ 8.6 billion, down 2.3% compared to 2018. In particular, seafood export is estimated at US $ 3.2 billion, up 8% compared to 2018. exported seafood, including: tuna; other sea fish; molluscum; crab and crustacean.
The three main markets of tuna
Tuna has contributed greatly to the growth of seafood, with export turnover reaching 728 million USD, up 12%, accounting for 8.5% of total seafood export turnover. Export turnover of other sea fishes reached 1.65 billion USD, up 15.8%, accounting for 19.4%.
Notably, 65-70% of revenue from tuna and other marine fishes comes from imported raw materials. Mollusk export turnover is estimated at USD 672 million, down 11.2%, accounting for 7.9%; crab and crustacean turnover reached USD 147.5 million, up 12.3%, accounting for 1.7% of total export turnover.
In 2019, the US, EU and ASEAN are the three largest tuna export markets of Vietnam. If in 2018, the US, EU and ASEAN accounted for only 67% of Vietnam's total tuna export, this number increased to 71% in 2019. Tuna exports to all three markets in the past year were generally unstable.
The US continues to be Vietnam's No. 1 tuna export market, accounting for about 46% in 2019. With this proportion, changes of the US market have greatly affected the situation of fish exports. tuna from Vietnam. Compared to last year, this year, Vietnam's tuna exports to the US tended to increase sharply in the first half of the year, and increased slowly in the second half. However, if calculating for the whole year, Vietnam's tuna market share in the US market this year has increased compared to last year.
Tuna exports in 2019 to ASEAN were also unstable and fluctuated, but for the whole year, Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN region still increased over the same period.
Seafood exports to the EU market in 2019 decreased by 11.5%, of which, tuna decreased by 11%, squid, octopus decreased by 20%; bringing EU from 2nd to 5th position on Vietnam's seafood export, after the US, Japan, South Korea and China. This result reflects the consequences of IUU gold card on Vietnam's seafood exports in recent years.
Attempt to remove IUU yellow card
If in 2018, Vietnam's tuna exports to the EU still grew well over the same period, this year exports to this market decreased compared to the same period. In 2019, due to the low price of tuna in the world market, plus procedural concerns to meet EU recommendations for fighting illegal, undeclared and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This year, Vietnam's tuna export to this market was not favorable, most of tuna products exported to the EU decreased over the same period. Currently, only fresh and frozen live tuna have a growth over the same period.
According to Truong Dinh Hoe, Vasep General Secretary, seafood exports have contributed a large part of the total export turnover of the whole seafood industry. In 2019, seafood export turnover will reach 8.6 billion USD, then seafood export turnover will be 3.2 billion USD, accounting for 37.2% of total seafood export turnover. However, this year, seafood exports did not have many mutations, so maintaining the current export speed is an effort and is highly appreciated by the market for Vietnam's seafood products, especially After the Formosa incident, the market has been stabilizing.
The Directorate of Fisheries said that the second inspection result of the European Commission (EC) Inspection Delegation on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) in order to overcome the "yellow card", Vietnam's seafood industry has temporarily been relegated. After the inspection, on December 19, the EC issued a letter announcing its opinion on the contents examined in Vietnam.
Accordingly, the EC Delegation appreciated and acknowledged the political commitment, determination and thanks for Vietnam's great efforts in combating IUU fishing, implementing EC recommendations, and acknowledging Vietnam's efforts to improve the legal framework, has created a comprehensive legal basis against IUU fishing in accordance with international regulations including the revision of the Fisheries Law.
