(atuna.com) The export value of Thai tuna products to the Middle East and North Africa increased by 17% from 2010/2011, despite a 9% drop in export quantity, according to Chanintr Chalisarapong, chairman of Thai Tuna Processors’ Group.
In 2011, Thailand exported 109,241 tons of tuna to these regions at a value of USD 371.5 million. Specifically, Thailand exported less tuna products to Libya and Egypt – two important export markets that also faced political unrest and revolution during the Arab Spring. From 2010/2011, the volume to Libya declined by 37% to 15,001 tons, while the exports to Egypt shrank by 9% to 47,280 tons.
Despite the decrease in export volume to Egypt, the export value increased by 19% to USD 138 million. The export value of tuna products to Libya, however, dropped alongside its volume, by 22% to USD 54 million.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s export value to Saudi Arabia, a country with no uprisings but with much more stable economy and higher consumer confidence, significantly increased by 44% to USD 85 million, while the export volume grew by 10% to 21,037 tons. Thailand actually gained a larger market share of Saudi Arabia in 2011 over Libya, making Saudi Arabia the second biggest export market behind Egypt.
While the decline in exports to the Middle East and North Africa could be a result of the disruptions associated with the conflict in 2011, the higher price for raw tuna might also be a factor. Certainly, the increased price of raw materials combined with the lack of food resources, especially in Egypt, caused the export value of Thai tuna products to rise.