August 22, 2012 — The value of tuna exports since the beginning of the year has reached US$343.4 million, a yearly increase of 48.2 percent. In July, the value was $57.4 million, up 126.8 percent over the same period last year.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the US is Vietnam’s leading tuna importer.
In the first half of July, the US’ imports of Vietnamese tuna soared to 202.5 percent, accounting for 60 percent of the country’s total tuna exports.
It is forecast that tuna exports to the US continue to increase in the remaining months of this year.
The association added that despite the current economic difficulties, tuna exports to the EU market in the seven months of this year increased by 47.6 percent compared to the same period last year.
Vietnamese tuna is also one of the most popular aquatic products in Japan, a top-end market with strict food hygiene and safety regulations.
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