Vietnam's tuna exports continued to maintain good momentum in March, increased 58% year-on-year to $104 million, according to the General Administration of Customs.  In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam's tuna exports reached 259 million US dollars, increased 72% year-on-year, 1.6 times that of the same period in 2019 before the epidemic, and ranked the highest level in the same period in last five years.

According to an analysis by Ruan He, VASEP tuna market expert, export orders for high-value frozen tuna meat and fillet products with HS code HS0304 showed a significant growth trend in the first quarter of this year, increased 123% year-on-year to 184 million US dollars.  Vietnam's tuna exports to major markets continued to grow in March as market demand is recovering.  

  Vietnam's tuna exports to the United States totaled nearly to $137 million by end of March 2022, increased  116% year on year.  Exports in march approached $57 million, increasing by 84%.  The United States continues to be Vietnam's largest export market for tuna.  

Tariff incentives under the EU-Vietnam- Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in March continue to attract Vietnamese tuna products to the market.  However, while most goods are exported at CFR prices, rising freight rates affect exports to the EU market to some extent.  

Pace for tuna exports to the EU market is slowing down,  by 10% to $14 million in March.  Vietnam's exports to the EU market totaled nearly $38 million in the first quarter of this year,  increased 33% year-on-year.  

Compared to the EU, Vietnam's tuna exports to CPTPP member markets have shown an increasing trend.  Exports to the CPTPP market rose 49% to nearly $14 million in March.  In the first quarter of this year, the cumulative export was $30.4 million, increased 40% year-on-year.  Exports to Canada totaled $14 million, increased 70%;  Exports to Mexico were $4.3 million, increased 79%;  Exports to Chile reached $2.4 million, increased 71%.  However, exports to Japan continued to decline by 20% year-on-year to $6 million.  

In addition to these major export markets, tuna exports to other potential markets such as the United Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic and Panama also showed good year-on-year growth.