Last year, EU countries imported processed tuna products while fresh, frozen and dried tuna products are staple imported items for this year reaching nearly US$49 million in 10 months, up 22%.

Exports of processed tuna stood at just US$39 million, down 10%.

Vietnam tuna products are shipped to 20 EU countries, primarily to Italy, Germany and Belgium.

High tax rates have driven canned tuna products from Vietnam in a fix to compete at the EU market while similar products from Ecuador and the Philippines enjoy a zero percent tariff.

Experts forecast that tuna exports to the EU continue to increase in the remaining months as holidays of the year begin to come.