Vietnamese tuna sells well in Europe

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, tuna export earnings reached US$155 million in the first five months of this year, up nearly 20 percent year-on-year.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) explains that the European market has increased tuna imports after a long period of importing only small amounts due to economic difficulties. 

However, the export value of Vietnamese tuna will rise sharply if fishermen stop using bright lights to attract tuna, VASEP says. This method makes catching cheaper but results in lower quality tuna. 

Together with tra fish, tuna is now one of Vietnam’s major seafood exports. 

Tuna shipments to 83 countries brought back US$380 million in 2011, accounting for 6.3 percent of the country's seafood exports. 

Its value rose to nearly US$570 million last year, with the US market consuming 42 percent and the European market 20 percent.