After three straight years of decline, Vietnam’s tuna exports have turned around this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Total earnings in the first eight months were USD 309.8 million, a 2.1 percent rise from last year, it said.

Workers processing tuna at Hai Nguyen Seafood Co., Ltd. in Binh Dinh province

Except in February, the value rose every single month.

According to customs, fresh and frozen tuna accounted for 58.3 percent of the exports and the ratio of processed tuna fell to 41.7 percent from 45.6 percent last year.

The US, EU, ASEAN, China, Israel, Japan, Canada, and Mexico were the largest markets, accounting for 88.2 percent of the total exports.

Shipments to China increased by 68.5 percent year-on-year. It was followed by ASEAN with a 26.7 percent rise and Israel with 18 percent.

However, exports to the EU fell by 11.5 percent.

Source: VNA