Vietnam becomes largest tuna exporter of Israel

Fishermen bring tuna to storage in Tien Chau port, Tuy An district of Phu Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

The export value of Vietnamese tuna exports to the Israeli market by mid-August jumped by 34 percent to nearly 25 million USD compared to the same period last year, or accounted for 5.6 percent of the total tuna export value, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Israel continues to be Vietnam’s third-largest single tuna export market, behind the US and Italy.

According to VASEP, tuna export turnover was estimated at over 410 million USD in seven months of this year, up 21 percent annually. Vietnam’s major importers include the US, Europe, Israel, Canada and Japan. The US was the largest importer with a value of over 170 million USD.

Despite experiencing a decline in 2019, since the end of 2020, tuna exports to the market have consistently bounced back, with the average export price in the market hovering at 5,464 USD per tonne.

Most notably, Vietnamese frozen tuna fillets coded HS03048700 remain the key export product in the market, accounting for 47 percent of the total export value.

According to statistics released by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the first half of the year saw Vietnam surpass Thailand to become the largest tuna supplier to Israel, accounting for roughly 31 percent of their overall import value.

Furthermore, Israel simultaneously reduced tuna imports from other countries, while also increasing imports from the Vietnamese market.

At present, there are eight local enterprises, including Tuna Vietnam, Bidifisco, and Havuco which are actively involved in exporting tuna to the Israeli market./.