The General Department of Customs informed that 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.
In this context Lebanon 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.
It is fact that tuna exports to two big markets, Japan and the EU that has decreased dramatically. The exports to Japan went down by 33.7 percent, while the exports to the EU have dropped by 3.2 percent. It is said that 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.
