Egypt: A bright spot in Vietnam tuna exports in the first six months

The tuna industry is being heavily impacted by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Vietnam's tuna exports experiencing a 20% decrease in the first half of 2020 compared to the previous year, totaling nearly US$ 293 million. This decline is predominantly seen in fresh, frozen, and processed tuna products, while canned tuna exports have seen growth. The US and EU are among the major importers that have reduced their tuna imports from Vietnam, although the US has seen a 10% increase in canned tuna imports. The ASEAN region and Egypt present opportunities for Vietnamese tuna exporters, with Vietnam's tuna exports to ASEAN Surging by 1,265% and to Egypt by 74% due to reduced imports from other countries.

Additionally, the article mentions the potential effects of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which is set to take effect in the coming months, on the recovery of tuna exports to the EU. However, businesses do not expect an immediate recovery and note that the situation remains uncertain due to the ongoing pandemic.