Vietnam tuna scoops Netherlands market

With export turnover of tuna to the Netherlands increasing by more than 60 percent, the Netherlands is the largest import market of Vietnam tuna in EU.

Exported Frozen tuna to Netherlands has increased. Photo: T.H

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in recent years, exports of Vietnam tuna to the Netherlands has continuously grown, especially frozen tuna. Statistics of Vietnam Customs showed that exporting Vietnamese tuna to this market from January to May of 2019 achieved positive growth over the same period (exluding February due to Tet holiday) with a fluctuation from US$1.2 – $3.2 million/month.

The total turnover in the first five months of 2019 reached increased more than 60 percent over the same period in 2018, achieving over $12 million. Of that, it was mainly the group of fresh tuna and frozen tuna which accounting by 89 percent. Comparing to the same period last year, the export of frozen tuna fillet reach the highest result with an increase of 63 percent, achieving $10.4 million.

Meanwhile, thr Netherlands is is importing a lot of processed canned tuna products from countries(HS code is 16). According to the statistics of International Trade Center, the Netherlands imported nearly $62 million of these products in the first quarter of 2019, accounting for nearly 85 percent of the country's total import value of tuna. Ranked second is the products were frozen tuna fillet (HS code 0304), accounting for 13 percent, reaching $9.3 million. Compared to the same period in 2018, imports of processed canned tuna of the Netherlands tended to decrease while the import of frozen fresh tuna has increased.

If Vietnam was only the 6th largest source of tuna for this market in last year, currently, Vietnam is the 3rd largest source of non-EU export tuna for the Netherlands market, and also the largest source of frozen fresh tuna for this market.

With the advantage of trade deals, Ecuador continues to dominate the market of tuna in the Netherlands. Ecuador currently accounts for 23 percent of the total value of tuna imports into the Netherlands. Similarly, an agreement about tuna exploitation with the EU is also helping Mauritius (the second largest source), dominate this market. Mauritius currently accounts for 16 percent of total import turnover of tuna of the Netherlands. However, compared to the first quarter of 2019, Ecuador's market share of tuna tends to decrease, while those of Mauritius and Vietnam have increased.

The signing of the Free Trade Agreement with the EU is a driving force for exporting Vietnam's tuna to this market. Under the EVFTA commitment, the EU will abolish tariffs on fresh and frozen tuna products (except for frozen tuna fillets; HS code 0304) as soon as the agreement comes into effect.

For products of frozen tuna fillet (HS code 030487), the EU will eliminate tariffs for Vietnam under a three-year schedule, from the basic tax rate of 18 percent, as soon as the agreement comes into effect. With this advantage, the products of frozen tuna fillet (HS code 030487) will continue to maintain its position in this market.

Moreover, as the Netherlands is currently an EU transit centre, it is forecasted that in the future, Vietnam's tuna export to the Netherlands will continue to be positive.