Thailand, the world’s largest tuna producer, is facing immense pressure to perform well as big obstacles such as high raw material prices and a tough US market continue to undermine its efforts.
Recent data shows the country’s export of tuna products to the US – the top destination for Thai tuna – is suffering at the hands of declining American tuna sales. In 2012, Thai processors reduced their total tuna shipments to the US by a severe 23%, compared to 2011.
At last year’s World Tuna Conference in Bangkok, which took place in May 2012, Chanintr Chalisarapong, chairman of the Thai Tuna Processors’ Group, spoke about the changing Thai industry and addressed what he viewed to be the new challenges. In particular, he emphasized their strategy to export to as many countries as possible, including a growing European market and the important Middle East.
To gain more insight from tuna industry experts and to discuss vital issues concerning “The Economics of Tuna,†be sure to attend the 4th European Tuna Conference in Brussels on April 22, 2013: www.europeantunaconference.com