The Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) expects tuna exports to grow by 7% this year while urging the government to speed up free-trade talks with the European Union (EU) to increase export competitiveness.
President Chanintr Chalisarapong said the government needs to push for the agreement in order to drive export growth.
"The tuna industry is one of the key sectors of the economy. It would help if the tariff is lower as the EU counts as one of the main markets for tuna exports," he said.
At present, the EU imposes a 24% tariff on Thai tuna, one of the world's most expensive import duties for the fish, whereas the US tariff is 12.5% and Japan and Australia have no tariff.
The US is the top export market, consuming 19% of Thai tuna exports with a value of 15 billion baht, followed by the EU at 15% or 12 billion baht, the Middle East at 13% or 10 billion baht, Australia at 9% or 7.1 billion baht, Canada at 6% or 5.2 billion baht and Japan at 8% or 6.1 billion baht.
Mr Chanintr said tuna exports are projected to increase by 7% this year from 86 billion baht in 2013.
"Thailand is the world’s largest producer of tuna with an average year-on-year growth of 5-10% in production," he said.
The main products are canned tuna and tuna loins with a combined export volume of more than 550,800 tonnes.
TTIA consists of 16 large tuna companies including Thai Union Frozen Products Plc (TUF), Global Frozen Food Co and Songkla Canning Plc. Its products consist of canned tuna, frozen cooked tuna loin and tuna-derived pet food.
Attapan Masrungson, TTIA's secretary-general and registrar of Songkla Canning, said the group has closely monitored ethical labour practices of members to address child labour issues.
"All members have announced their opposition to illegal labour, child labour and forced labour throughout the whole supply chain, from fishing boats to piers and processing facilities," she said.
Last November, TTIA affirmed its stance against illegal labour together with eight other Thai fishery associations.