Vietnamese tuna a favourite among Greek importers

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Greece until the end of July increased 104 per cent on-year to nearly US$1.8 million in comparison to last year’s corresponding period, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

VASEP noted that while the country’s tuna exports to major import markets throughout the EU declined, exports to Greece enjoyed impressive growth.

According to statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the export value of canned processed tuna to the European country accounted for over 94 per cent of Vietnam's total tuna export value to the market.

Greece’s canned tuna imports bounced backed after experiencing a drop in 2017, with the volume of imported canned tuna to the market falling from 6,934 tons in 2016 to 6,061 tons in 2017.

2018 saw the export of canned tuna to the Greek market recover, with a rise of 7 per cent to 6,511 tons over the previous year.  Indeed, this upward trend is expected to continue over the course of the coming year.

The supply source of canned tuna to the Greek market largely came from countries within the bloc, making up 58 per cent of the Southern European nation’s total tuna imports. In particular, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain represent the three largest suppliers.

In addition, the supply source of tuna from Asian countries to Greece has risen in recent years. Asian tuna processors provided 2,712 tons of canned tuna in 2018, a rise of 21 per cent compared to the previous year, of which, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Turkey are the four largest suppliers.

Although canned tuna exports to Greece are subject to a high tax of 24 per cent, Thailand’s canned producers take the lead among suppliers of canned tuna to the market, holding 16 per cent in volume, followed by the Philippines at 9 per cent, and Vietnam at 4 per cent.