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Tuna export facing difficulties
Vietnamese tuna exporters are facing difficulties, because they cannot import materials for processing, while export markets are narrowing.
According to the General Department of Customs, by mid September 2009, Vietnam had exported 36.7 trillion tonnes of tuna, earning $118 million. However, the figure represents a 6.1 percent decrease over the same period last year in terms of quantity and 15.2 percent in value.
Lebanon remains the country which has seen the most sustainable growth rate in tuna imports from Vietnam. By September 15, the country’s imports had reportedly increased by 137.6 percent over the same period of 2008.
Meanwhile, the US, Switzerland and Australia kept the same imports with the same period of the previous year.
Tuna exports to two big markets, Japan and the EU have decreased dramatically. The exports to Japan decreased by 33.7 percent, while the exports to the EU have dropped by 3.2 percent.
Nevertheless, local agriculture departments have warned that the tuna export will continue to drop in the future. Ketsana typhoon, which devastated the central region, has made processing workshops run slow due to a lack of materials.
Tuna exports will also face new technical barriers. From October, the IUU regulations (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) of EC will take effect. Under IUU, the exporters of seafood consignments must show documents about the origin of products. However, to date, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have not completed the drafting of regulations on providing seafood origin certificates.
vietnamnet, vneconomy
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