DIRECTORATE OF FISHERIES

According to a statistics by General Department of Viet Nam Customs, Viet Nam’s tuna export value to Japan market in the second quarter of 2018 reached US $ 7.7 million, up 36% compared with the second quarter of 2017, raising the total value of tuna export to the market in the first 6 months of this year to nearly US $ 14 million, up 32% over the same period in 2017.

Frozen tuna fillet was the main Viet Nam export product to Japan in the first half of 2018, taking 50% of the total tuna export value to the market. Compared with the same period of 2017, frozen tuna fillets and other processed tuna exports of Viet Nam to Japan were increased. Meanwhile, canned tuna, fresh/frozen tuna exports were declined. According to statistics by the International Trade Center (ITC), in the first five months of this year, Japan's tuna imports were only 117 thousand tons, valued at US $ 956 million, decreased by 5% in volume and increased by 9.5% in value.

Even though Japan’s imports of fresh and frozen tuna was declining constantly, imports of frozen and canned tuna was increased over the same period in 2017. Despite the fact that frozen tuna import was increased, the main imported product was frozen fillets of skipjack and albacore tuna which are the main raw materials for producing sushi products and canned tuna.

In addition, tuna sashimi has become a seasonal product to Japanese consumers. Demand for tuna sashimi during the spring festival season has increased. Therefore, Japan's frozen tuna imports during first months of the year are consequently raised up.

Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and China are the top 5 sources of canned tuna supply for the Japanese market in the first five months of this year. Vietnam occupies only 3% market share in this segment, while Thailand is dominating this market with 58% market share. Indonesia and the Philippines hold 19% and 17% respectively.

The average price of imported canned tuna into Japan this year is higher than last year. Last year, the average price of imported canned tuna into this market ranged from USD 5.15 to 5.4 per kilogram. This year the price ranges from USD 5.59 to USD 6 per kilogram.

In the market segment of frozen tuna fillet, Viet Nam is currently ranked 14th out of 28 countries exporting this product to Japanese market. Currently, the island nations are the main source of this product for Japan.

Phuong Hoa