Up 50% in Vietnam tuna exports to Israel

In 2016, thanks to brighter economy and higher private consumption in Israel, the country raised importing tuna from the the world, including Vietnam. In 2016, Israel is an important market of Vietnam tuna exporters. Vietnam tuna sales to the market reached US$26 million, up 50% compared to the same period of 2015. This is the 4th largest importer of Vietnam tuna.

Tuna products of Vietnam exported to Israel except for canned tuna reported the increase against 2015. In 2016, Vietnam exported the most other processed tuna to the market. The export value of the item in 2016 reached US$12 million, up 748% from 2015. Sales of frozen tuna loin/fillet hit US$11 million, up 9.3% compared to 2015. Meanwhile, canned tuna exports to the market decreased 69%.

According to statistics of the International Trade Centre (ITC), in the first 9 months of 2016, Israel imported US$59.5 million of tuna products from 17 countries around the world, an increase of 5.7% compared to 2015. Among tuna products imported into the country, Israel imported the most canned tuna and frozen tuna fillet/loin.

Israel currently raised importing canned tuna and reduced importing frozen tuna loin/fillet. Specifically, in the first 9 months of 2016, imports of canned tuna into Israel rose 7.8% over the same period in 2015, reaching US$47 million. Meanwhile, imports of frozen tuna loin/fillet into Israel touched only US$7.3 million, down 12% compared to the same period in 2015.

Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and China is the leading tuna suppliers to Israel, with the market share of 34%, 23%, 15% and 10%, respectively. Among them, Israel raised tuna imports from Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, reduced imports from China.

With respect to canned tuna products, Israel raised imports of the item from Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, reduced imports from China. In particular, Thailand took the lead in supplying the item to Israel in the first 9 months of 2016, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines. Despite subjecting to the import duty of 4%; the ASEAN countries, including Vietnam are dominating canned tuna exports to the market. Therefore, Vietnam's products must compete with the same products originated from Thailand and the Philippines. With frozen tuna fillet/loin, Vietnam dominates the Israel market and almost has no competitors.

In the coming time, Vietnam exporters can strengthen exporting frozen tuna fillet/loin to Israel.

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Compiled by Kim Thu