Tuna exports up 9.8%
(VOV) - Tuna export earnings saw a modest increase of 9.8% in the first five months of this year to US$253 million, reports the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).
The domestic tuna industry achieved a monthly growth rate of more than 50% during the whole of 2012.
However, it suffered a major setback in March with the growth falling 16 percent, and the downward trend has continued in the following months.
The industry is currently encountering numerous difficulties in production, including capital and material shortages, and especially the “Dolphin Safe” certification required by the Earth Island Institute (EII).
VASEP warns if Vietnamese businesses do not meet the EII’s strict requirements, they will lose out to regional rivals and their tuna products will not be sold in major lucrative markets.
So far, Vietnam has had 15 tuna fishing businesses certificated by the EII to export their products to the EU, US and Australia.