Thai Minister Discusses Tuna Exports With Samoan Senatorff
4 July 2007
Thailand The strict American rule imposed on tuna imports will not negatively affectThai tuna exporters as Thailand still maintainsmore than half the world's tuna export, ThiraSutabutr, Agriculture and Co-operatives Ministersaid Monday.
After meeting US congressman EniFaleomavaega, the Thai minister said Washingtonfocused on food safety standards and harmfulresidues in food such as mercurycontamination.
Thailand affirmed to theAmerican authorities that food safety is part ofThailand’s national agenda, including agriculturalproducts to be exported to the US, which arecertified by food standards agencies both to boostconfidence among consumers and competitiveness inthe world market.
Thailand is the world’slargest canned tuna exporter, with over 50 percent of total market share. The country earns US$600 million annually. In 2006, Thai tuna exportsto the US were recorded at 106,297 tons, worthUS$ 287.9 million.
During the past fiveyears, the US imported most of its tuna products -tuna loins, tuna in foil pouches, and cannedtuna - from Thailand.
However, the US tunaimports slowed in the past three years becausehealth conscious consumers were afraid of mercuryresidue in canned products.
Mr. Thira saidbut it’s likely, nonetheless, that Thai tunaexports to the US will increase this year becauseconsumers are aware that tuna is nutritiousfood.
