Vietnamese tuna exports to the UK are experiencing significant growth thanks to the benefits afforded by the UK-Vietnam free trade agreement (UKVFTA), reports Voice of Vietnam. 

The latest data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, VASEP, shows a resurgence in tuna exports to the UK, with a notable 56% increase in the export value to $742 million after three consecutive months of drops.

Frozen tuna meat and loins remain the cornerstone of Vietnam's exports to the UK, making up 92% of the total tuna export volume. Vietnam currently stands as the second-largest non-EU supplier of frozen tuna meat to the UK, trailing only South Korea.

The UKVFTA, which continues the provisions of the EU-Vietnam FTA, outlines a phased reduction of tariffs on Vietnamese tuna imports. Import tariffs on fresh and frozen tuna products are set to be gradually eliminated, with tariffs on frozen tuna fillets decreasing from 18% to zero over three years.

Similarly, the tariff on processed tuna for canned products will reduce from a base rate of 24% over a seven-year period. For canned tuna and tuna pouches, a duty-free quota of 11,500 metric tons per year is established, after which the original tariff of 20.5% will decrease by 3.5% annually.