According to a survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Thailand's canned tuna exports in 2008 amounted to 560,000 tons, up 7.4% from 4746,000 tons in 2007 and 560,000 tons in 2006. Thailand exported 95,000 tons of canned tuna to the United States in 2008, an increase of 7.6% over 2007. One quarter of canned tuna food in the United States came from Thailand. In the same year, Thailand exported 39 thousand and 700 tons of canned tuna to Australia and 34 thousand and 600 tons of Egypt.

 

The head of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said the high prices of raw materials in 2007 led to a drop in exports, especially in the demand for canned tuna from traders in traditional European markets. However, export warmed up in 2008, and exports fell 52% in the fourth quarter, down from 225,000 tons in the fourth quarter of 2007 to 108,000 tons, as a result of the global financial crisis. In the fourth quarter of 2008, except for the United States, all aquatic markets in the world showed a downward trend.

 

The official also said that raw fish prices rose to $1,100 a tonne in January due to reduced fishing output, resulting in a downturn in the tuna market. Despite the holidays in April, suppliers continued to fish in the western and central Pacific, with raw fish prices falling to $950 a tonne and $150 a tonne in May.

 

However, demand increased significantly at the end of April, and forecasts below market demand have begun to reverse the trend of market prices. But the unstable supply situation makes some wholesalers wait for the market to stabilize further. The decline in raw material prices has led to a decline in the price of canned tuna. However, due to the global economic crisis, the demand for canned tuna proprietary brand labels has increased, providing benefits for tuna packers.