Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) proceeds to boost confidence in Thai canned and processed Tuna among global trade partners, stressing on the COVID-19 Prevention Best Practices and kicking off Thailand Delivers with Safety campaign. The Thai Tuna Industry Association also fully cooperates with the government while this year Thai tuna exports are expected to grow constantly. DITP highlights Thailand's unique strengths in the skilled labor and integrated production technology that meets international standards, ready to develop products that meet each market demand. As a result, Thailand has set to achieve 73,838.33 million baht in tuna product export this year.
Mr.Somdet Susomboon, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) revealed that the market for canned and processed tuna in 2021 is speculated to grow continuously, targeting to reach 73,838.33 million baht this year. This target can be achieved with the strengths and readiness of Thai labor, complemented with its advanced manufacturing technology that meets international standards. As a result, it is certain that Thailand can efficiently develop products in response to the demands of each market. In addition, Thailand has competitive advantages in terms of its prime location for buying tuna from around the world, while the Thai business operators also maximize their integrated supply chain network covering ingredient sourcing, manufacturing to distribution channels in the global key markets.
Despite Thailand's potentials and competitive advantages in canned and processed tuna export that are widely recognized across the world, Thai government still needs to keep the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic under control. Therefore, it is crucial that Thailand proceeds to boost confidence and reassure the global trading partners and buyers. DITP, thus, joins forces with partner organizations both public and private sectors in ensuring the compliance of COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice in food products among manufacturers, exporters, business operators, raw material suppliers, as well as logistics operators. Such measures will be implemented in conjunction with the strategies for canned and processed tuna export, which include increasing exports to the new markets with high potential and expanding the production bases to the target markets for the tax benefits and logistics cost reduction. In addition, Thailand aims to reduce foreign exchange risks, create more value-added products for market expansion, as well as to maximize leftovers from the tuna processing industry for sustainable development goals," affirmed Mr. Somdet.
For this safety measures, business operators and suppliers related to ingredient shipping from ships and piers must comply with the following practices.
- Intensify the effort to reduce the risk of contamination from ingredients and containers.
- Manufacturers must implement strict quality and safety controls throughout the production line, from receiving ingredients from ships and piers, storing in chilled room, processing, packing, cleaning and disinfecting the interior of the vehicle containers.
- Monitor personal hygiene and work environment as well as the manufacturing buildings
- Cleaning and disinfecting: manufacturers shall prioritize sanitation and strictly clean and disinfect the machinery, manufacturing buildings, floors, walls, as well as common areas which are prone to contact in appropriate frequency.
- Monitor personal hygiene of workers before entering the building. Also, workers would be trained to protect themselves from COVID-19 to properly prevent any contaminations during operation.
Meanwhile, DITP has kicked off "Thailand Delivers with Safety" campaign to ensure that manufacturers, exporters, business operators, ingredient suppliers, as well as logistics operators strictly follow COVID-19 Prevention Best Practice in every procedure. The objective is to retain trust and confidence among buyers and trade partners around the world, highlighting the strong potential and the advanced technology of international standards utilized from sourcing ingredients, harvesting, transporting, manufacturing with high level of personal safety, packaging to delivering at the consumers' doorstep.
Correspondingly, the Thai Tuna Industry Association on behalf of the private sector, shows its readiness to cooperate in implementing these prevention measures by asking its members to strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention measures. Prior to this, the Association has held several meetings to discuss solutions along with frequently visiting the supply chain factory sites.
As for the market overview in January 2021, canned and processed tuna from Thailand had an export volume of 41,447 tons or 6.59% year-on-year growth, generating up to 4,919.71 million baht, or 6.37% expansion compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the largest importers of Thai canned and processed tuna were the United States, Egypt, Japan, Australia and Canada, altogether accounting for 64.45%, while the markets with high growth rates were Argentina (268.39%), Malaysia (106.41%), Egypt (83.92%), Lebanon (70.92%) and Israel ( 67.37 %).