HANOI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese tuna has been exported to 87 markets, nearly double the number earlier this year, thanks to high demand from foreign market, local Vietnam News reported on Monday quoting the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) as saying.

Tuna exports reached 314 million U.S. dollars in October, up 28. 6 percent year-on-year. The United States is the main consumer of Vietnamese tuna, leading the top three importers including Europe and Japan. The U.S. makes up 46 percent of the country total tuna exports, worth 145 million U.S. dollars in the first ten months.

Vietnam also exports tuna to 21 countries in the EU bloc, with Germany, Italy and Belgium being the top three importers. In October, Italy surpassed Germany and became the biggest importer, with a growth up 258 percent year-on-year.

Tuna exports to Japan are also on an increase, with a growth of over 82 percent, the highest level so far, equal to 36.6 million U. S. dollars. This is attributed to Japanese economic recovery from the tsunami earlier this year, said VASEP.

In contrast, tuna exports to China's Taiwan have declined since early this year. The export value last year was 127 percent higher than 2009, but it fell this year, with 60 percent drop in one month, reported VASEP.

Source: Xinhua