The strict American rule imposed on tuna imports will not negatively affect Thai tuna exporters as Thailand still maintains more than half the world's tuna export, Thira Sutabutr, Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister said Monday.

After meeting U.S. congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Thira said Washington focused on food safety standards and harmful residues in food such as mercury contamination.

Thailand affirmed to the American authorities that food safety is part of Thailand's national agenda, including agricultural products to be exported to the U.S., which are certified by food standards agencies both to boost confidence among consumers and competitiveness in the world market.

Thailand is the world's largest canned tuna exporter, with over 50 percent of total market share. The country earns 600 million U.S. dollars annually. In 2006, Thai tuna exports to the U.S. were recorded at 106,297 tons, worth 287.9 million U.S. dollars.

During the past five years, the U.S. imported most of its tuna products from Thailand. However, the U.S. tuna imports slowed in the past three years because health conscious consumers were afraid of mercury residue in canned products.

Thira said it's likely, nonetheless, that Thai tuna exports to the U.S. will increase this year because consumers are aware that tuna is nutritious food.

During the talk with the U.S. congressman, Thira said that he also discussed Thai fruit export opportunities in the U.S. market.

The U.S. will allow imports of six irradiated Thai fruits from July 23 onwards. Those are mango, longan, rambutan, mangosteen, guava, and pineapple, treated with irradiation, he added.