Total earnings in the first eight months were US$309.8 million, a 2.1% rise from last year, it said.

Except in February the value rose every single month.

According to customs, fresh and frozen tuna accounted for 58.3% of the exports and the ratio of processed tuna fell to 41.7% from 45.6% last year.

The US, EU, ASEAN, China, Israel, Japan, Canada, and Mexico were the largest markets, accounting for 88.2% of the total exports.

Shipments to China increased by 68.5% year-on-year. It was followed by ASEAN with a 26.7% rise and Israel with 18%.

But exports to the EU fell by 11.5%.