Vietnamese tuna is gaining a competitive edge in the UK market thanks to tariff incentives under the United Kingdom-Vietnam trade agreement (UKVFTA), Vietnam News reported.

The agreement has heavily reduced or completely eliminated tariffs on fresh, frozen, and canned tuna products, bolstering export growth.

Vietnam, currently the 13th largest tuna supplier to the UK, saw its tuna exports to the market rise by 56% in June, reaching $742,000.

This brought total exports in the first half of 2023 to $3.6 million, with frozen tuna meat and loins accounting for 92% of that volume.

Despite strong performance, Vietnam faces competition from Ecuador, which also benefits from a free trade agreement with the UK. To maintain momentum, Vietnamese producers must meet strict origin rules under the UKVFTA, ensuring all raw materials are sourced domestically, according to the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Industry insiders said Vietnam’s seafood industry should invest in modern processing technologies, diversify products, and align with UK market preferences.

October marked a record month for Vietnam’s total tuna exports, which reached nearly $93 million. If growth continues, Vietnamese tuna annual exports could exceed $1 billion, an 18% year-on-year increase, according to VASEP.