Thai Processed Tuna Exports To USA Down By 19%ff

According to data from the Thai Customs Department, the country’s total cumulative value of canned tuna exports into the US market declined between January and November 2002, by 19%. The value in 2002 was 127 million USD while during the same period in 2001 it was 156 million USD.

Overall cumulative exports of processed tuna from January to November 2002 went down by 0.4% in terms of quantity and 7.5 % in terms of value when compared to the same time period last year. Thailand’s total processed tuna exports in November 2002 were 33,227 tons. The number includes canned tuna and frozen pre-cooked tuna loins.

This indicates that Thailand has made an important move in switching its exports to other tuna markets during 2002, thus coping with the loss of U.S exports.

This represents a 22,7 % more than the 27,079 tons in previous month October, and a 12,5% increase compared to the 29,539 tons exported in November 2001.

The export value of Thailand’s canned tuna also increased. November’s 2002 value increased by 25% compared to October and by 1.5% compared to November 2001.

Thailand’s main export market for its canned tuna is the United States. In November 2002 exports to the U.S. represented about 30% of Thailand’s total canned tuna export that month. In November 2002 the U.S exports increased by 102% compared to October 2002 and by 8.3% compared to November 2001.