Canned Tuna Market - By Product Type , By Packaging Material , By Category , By Distribution Channel and By Geography - Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, 2024-2030

Canned Tuna Market Overview

Canned Tuna Market size is forecast to reach US$11 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during 2024-2030. Canned tuna is made by processing and canning various species of tuna fish, such as skipjack, albacore, yellowfin, or bulefin tuna. These canned tuna products may be packed in oil, water or brine and are widely consumed. Increasing demand for convenience, long shelf life, growing demand for protein, health and nutritional benefits, affordable pricing, expansion of retail and online distribution channels, product innovation and premium offerings, food security and emergency preparedness are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.The trends in the Canned Tuna Market include the increasing demand for seafood & rising need of sustainability. Seafood is a rich source of nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The global seafood demand per capita will continue to grow through 2050, with production growing exponentially to meet that demand, according to the Seafood Forecast by Norwegian firm, Det Norske Veritas (DNV). There is also a growing demand for sustainably sourced fish. In November 2024, the Australian Marine Conservation Society evaluated the nation’s most popular tuna brands and classed them as green, amber or red based on their sustainability credentials. Safcol’s No Net Tuna emerged as the only fully green-ranked product. 

Canned Tuna Market - Report Coverage:

The “Canned Tuna Market Report - Forecast (2024-2030)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Canned Tuna Market .

COVID-19 / Ukraine Crisis - Impact Analysis:  

• The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Canned Tuna Market positively. According to Central Bank of Ireland, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a positive trend in the European consumption of canned fish as more people turned to home cooking and retail purchases. As retail became the main outlet for fish and seafood, the demand for canned fish increased, especially during lockdown. This reinforced the trend that consumers want simple, ready-to-eat and convenient seafood. Quality, sustainability and traceability are also becoming more important for many European consumers. 
• The Ukraine crisis further exacerbated supply chain challenges, particularly affecting the canned tuna leading to higher costs for food production. This has impacted the prices of canned foods, as transportation costs and raw material shortages increased. However, the crisis has also reinforced the appeal of canned foods as a reliable, long-lasting food source. Consumers in regions affected by the crisis have turned to canned goods to secure food supplies amid ongoing uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Skipjack tuna is the Leading Segment

Skipjack tuna is the largest segment in the canned tuna market. According to the report of Starkist Skipjack is the smallest tuna and typically weights 6 to 12 pounds. Skipjack make up the largest share of tuna caught and eaten by people around the world. In fact, the majority of U.S. canned tuna is packed with skipjack. Skipjack live in warmer water temperatures and can be found in the central belt of water throughout the world. In early 2024, Vietnam’s government issued a revision of the law to strengthen its enforcement after continued criticism from the European Union. Under Decree 37/2024/ND-CP, fishers are only allowed to catch skipjack measuring 500 millimetres or larger, and businesses are prohibited from purchasing skipjack smaller than this size for processing and export purposes. The decree is designed to safeguard tuna populations and prevent the capture of undersized fish; failing to comply with this regulation is considered a violation under the nation’s IUU guidelines. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), skipjack tuna 500 millimetres or larger comprise only 5 -8% of each haul, so the new regulation has placed significant pressure on local fishermen. 

Online is the largest segment

The online retail segment is indeed growing rapidly and is becoming one of the largest channels for purchasing canned tuna. This dominance is primarily due to the wide availability and convenience these stores offer. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are preferred by consumers for their one-stop shopping experience, where a broad range of canned seafood products is readily available at competitive prices. Major global retailers, such as Walmart, Tesco, and Carrefour, drive significant sales in this segment, benefiting from large-scale operations and established supply chains. Walmart and Albertsons are among the global food industry stakeholders that have joined The Nature Conservancy’s recently launched Tuna Transparency Pledge—a program that increases on-the-water monitoring across all tuna fishing vessels within their supply chains by 2027 as per the Speciality Food Association.

Europe Dominates the Market

Europe dominates the global canned tuna market due to its high demand and production across key countries. As per the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI), the European canned seafood processing sector is mostly concentrated in Southern Europe, where Spain, Italy, France and Portugal are key players. Spain leads the production of canned food in Europe. The leading product is canned tuna, which comprises two-thirds of the produced volume. Notably, Spain produces almost 70% of the canned tuna processed in Europe, with major companies, such as Jealsa, Frinsa and Grupo Calvo. Canned tuna comprises 83% of the canned food Spain exports. According to the report of Eurofish Magazine, tuna is the most consumed fish product in the EU, with each person eating an average of 2.78 kg annually, mostly in the form of canned tuna. According to the report titled Spain Seafood Report 2024 by USDA, Spain is one of the world’s largest markets for fish and seafood. In 2023, Spain was the fourth largest importer of fish and seafood in the world after the United States, China, and Japan.

Health Benefits to Drive the Market

Significant health benefits of Tuna fish are a great driver of the Canned Tuna Market. Tuna is a rich source of omega 3, vitamins and minerals. Tuna is packed with two types of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which are linked to reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and a lowered risk of heart disease. Tuna is also a good source of vitamin B12, niacin, vitamin B6 and Vitamin D. Tuna also contains a significant amount of selenium, an antioxidant that supports immune function and thyroid health. The U.S. Tuna Foundation, a trade association representing U.S. tuna processors and U.S. tuna boat owners, released a statement about a study by the Harvard School of Public Health showing a link between canned tuna consumption and reduced macular (retinal) degeneration. These health benefits drive the consumption of canned tuna. 

Growing Concerns Mercury Contamination to Hamper the Market

Mercury contamination in canned tuna poses significant health risks, potentially impacting the market due to consumer concerns. According to a November 2024 report published by Envirotech and Le Monte, environmental NGOs Bloom and Foodwatch reported dangerously high levels of mercury in canned tuna across Europe. Their investigation found that over half of nearly 150 cans sampled from five European countries contained mercury levels above the threshold for other fish species, leading to concerns about the implications for consumer health, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.In an 18-month study, Bloom and Foodwatch analyzed canned tuna from Germany, the UK, Spain, France, and Italy, discovering that 57% of the cans had mercury levels exceeding 0.3 parts per million (ppm), the limit applied to other fish. Such concerns may hamper the sales of canned tuna.

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Key Market Players

Global Canned Foods top 10 companies include:

1. Thai Union Group
2. American Seafoods Group LLC 
3. Grupo Calvo 
4. Bumble Bee Foods
5. Century Pacific Food
6. Conservas Ortiz
7. Grupo Albacora
8. Wild Planet Foods
9. Golden Prize Canning
10. Dongwon Industries

Scope of the Report:

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