Canned Tuna Market

How big is Canned Tuna Market in 2026?

Demand for canned tuna is projected to expand at 3.5% CAGR between 2026 and 2036. Industry value grows from USD 14.1 billion in 2025 to USD 14.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 20.7 billion by 2036.

FMI analysts note that canned tuna has gained traction in recent years due to its long shelf life and low preparation requirement. The market is valued at USD 14.6 billion in 2026, increasing from USD 14.1 billion in 2025, and is anticipated to reach USD 20.7 billion by 2036 at 3.5% CAGR. This growth rate is not coming from one-time consumption, but from increasing household application of tuna in sandwiches, salads, rice dishes and other meals. FAO GLOBEFISH reported world tuna trade at 4.23 million tonnes in 2025, whereas imports of prepared and preserved tuna increased by 8.91% [1]. The increase in prepared tuna trade supports the view that consumers are shifting towards seafood which requires less cleaning, thawing and cooking. Apart from that, certified and traceable cans are gaining more space in retail stores. Due to these factors, canned food products are expected to face steady demand from households as well as foodservice operators during the forecast years.

Canned tuna demand is developing unevenly across regional markets, where Germany is expected to witness relatively high growth at 4.5% CAGR, followed by the USA at 4.1% CAGR through 2036. The higher rates are connected with import availability, retail reach and regular use of shelf-stable tuna, and not only with a general increase in seafood demand. Germany imports a large share of fish and seafood consumed in the country, due to which change in raw fish price, freight and import cost is expected to directly affect canned tuna prices. In the USA, NOAA stated that 240 fisheries from 46 nations were denied comparability findings, with affected imports restricted from January 1, 2026 [2]. Hence, German growth will remain connected with European seafood trade, whereas the  USA market will depend on eligible fisheries and complete harvesting records. Availability of tuna, sourcing documents and a retail price which consumers can continue to accept are expected to remain one of the important factors for market growth.

Key Takeaways of Canned Tuna Market

• Increasing demand for shelf-stable seafood protein is expected to support repeat purchase among the households during the forecast period.
• Based on species type, skipjack tuna is expected to account for 39.4% in 2026, owing to wider catch availability and regular use in light-tuna cans.
• By distribution channel, direct sales are estimated to hold 34.0% in 2026, supported by bulk orders from retailers and foodservice companies.
• In 2026, households are expected to lead end-use with 50.7% share, due to pantry storage and low preparation requirement.
• Germany is expected to grow at 4.5% CAGR, whereas the USA is expected at 4.1% CAGR owing to different import and retail conditions.
• Notable companies in the canned tuna market include Thai Union Group PCL, StarKist Co., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd., Bolton Group, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Chicken of the Sea, Wild Planet Foods, Inc., Nauterra, and American Tuna, Inc.

Analyst Perspective

“Canned tuna demand is expected to witness steady gains owing to increasing household application and affordable protein focus. Certified sourcing will create better opportunity where brands can retain familiar retail prices.”

- Nandini Roy Choudhury, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the Canned Tuna Market segmented?

Canned tuna market is segmented on the basis of species type, distribution channel, end-use, and region. Skipjack tuna is projected at 39.4%, direct sales at 34.0%, and households at 50.7% in 2026.

Species type covers skipjack tuna, albacore, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and longtail tuna.
Distribution channel covers direct, indirect, hypermarkets/supermarkets, specialty stores, convenience stores, online channels, and others.
End-use covers households and foodservice.
Region covers North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, and Middle East and Africa, with country coverage for the USA, UK, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.

Why does Skipjack Tuna anchor the Species Type category?

Based on species type, skipjack tuna is projected to capture 39.4% in 2026, driven by high catch availability and processing suitability.

In the FMI report, skipjack tuna is one of the highly used species for the preparation of light-tuna cans. It is available in comparatively higher volume and has suitable properties for regular fish processing. The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation reported that skipjack accounted for 58% of the 5.8 million-tonne commercial tuna catch in 2024 [3]. The wider availability of skipjack allows manufacturers to produce large volumes of retail packs without depending on limited supply of premium tuna species. Due to its wider catch base and regular use in low price canned tuna products, skipjack tuna is expected to account for 39.4% share in 2026 and is expected to remain prominent during the forecast period.

• Skipjack tuna is expected at 39.4% in 2026 owing to its wider availability for high-volume canned tuna production.
• Wider catch availability allows processors to maintain steady output across standard retail can sizes without relying on premium tuna species.

What keeps Direct central to the Distribution Channel category?

Direct sales are estimated to hold 34.0% of distribution channel revenue in 2026, supported by bulk purchasing and customized order specifications.

According to FMI, direct sales are facing higher preference from large retail companies and foodservice companies that require fixed can size, tuna species, label and delivery schedule. Through direct purchasing, the buyers are able to place bulk orders and communicate product specifications with processors or brand owners. In April 2025, Nauterra reported nine vessels including six tuna vessels, along with factory and commercial operations [4]. The presence of fishing, processing and sales activities helps companies to supply products according to the requirement of large customers. Increasing bulk purchase and need for regular supply is expected to support direct sales, which are estimated to hold 34.0% share in 2026.

• Direct sales are estimated to hold 34.0% in 2026 owing to bulk purchasing and direct product specification by large accounts.
• Direct relationships between processors and retail buyers streamline delivery schedules and eliminate intermediary handling steps.

Why do Households remain central to the End-Use category?

Households are expected to lead end-use with 50.7% share in 2026, reflecting pantry convenience, long shelf life, and everyday meal versatility.

FMI data suggests that canned tuna is widely used by households for the preparation of sandwiches, salads, rice dishes and other meals. It can be stored in the pantry and does not require thawing or cleaning before use, due to which it saves meal preparation time for consumers seeking convenient ready-to-eat food solutions. The MSC UK Tuna Shopper Report 2026 recorded 180 labelled tuna products from 364 products surveyed during February 2026 [5]. Out of these, 138 shelf-stable tuna products carried the MSC label. Availability of different can sizes, species and sourcing options is providing more choices to household consumers. Due to easy storage and meal preparation, households are expected to lead the end-use category with 50.7% share in 2026.

• Households are expected to lead end-use with 50.7% share in 2026 owing to pantry storage and easy meal preparation.
• The 2026 MSC shopper survey recorded 138 labelled shelf-stable tuna products, confirming that certified retail availability reinforces household purchasing.

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the Canned Tuna Market?

In the canned tuna market, convenient shelf-stable protein supports demand, raw-material and logistics volatility pressures margins, and certified traceability creates premium differentiation opportunities through 2036.

• Driver: Household and institutional buyers value ready-to-use seafood protein that can be stored without a fresh cold chain.
• Restraint: Fluctuating raw fish, fuel, and shipping costs compress processing margins and delay long-term contract finalization.
• Opportunity: Increasing consumer demand for certified sustainable tuna opens higher-value listing opportunities across major retail supermarket chains.

Convenient Shelf-Stable Protein Drives Everyday Consumption

FMI research indicates that canned tuna is a ready-to-use seafood protein which can be stored for a longer period and used in regular meals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration places canned light tuna in its Best Choices category under its fish advice [6]. The product does not require cleaning, thawing or bone removal and is directly used in sandwiches, salads and cooked meals. Hence, demand is being supported by the relationship between convenience, protein content and repeat household use. Increasing preference for foods which can remain in the pantry and still provide a meal component is one of the primary factors expected to boost the canned tuna market.

Raw Tuna Price Volatility Pressures Processing Margins

The fluctuating cost of raw tuna is one of the major factors that can hamper the growth of canned tuna market. In July 2026, FAO GLOBEFISH reported that tuna prices had risen, driven by higher fuel costs and raw material shortages [7]. Retail prices and annual supply contracts cannot always be changed at the same rate. As a result, increase in fish, fuel and freight cost is expected to narrow processor margins, reduce promotional activity and finally affect the affordability which supports repeat canned tuna purchase.

Certified Sourcing and Traceability Open Premium Retail Listings

Increasing preference for sustainable seafood products is creating growth prospects for canned tuna companies. The Marine Stewardship Council reported in 2026 that around two-thirds of the global tuna catch is certified to the MSC Standard [8]. Certification provides information regarding fishery origin and chain of custody, which is helping the retailers to meet requirement of sourcing documents and provides consumers with a visible basis for product selection. Expansion of certified skipjack and shelf-stable tuna is expected to create new avenues, especially where companies can maintain familiar can sizes and prices along with the sourcing claim.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the Canned Tuna Market?

Country	CAGR
Germany	4.5%
USA	4.1%
UK	3.6%
South Korea	3.0%
Japan	2.7%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the canned tuna market?

Canned tuna demand across the countries is affected by seafood imports, fish consumption, retail structure and local processing activities. Germany and the USA are anticipated to witness higher growth, whereas the UK market is supported by increasing availability of certified tuna products. South Korea has established tuna harvesting and export-linked processing activities. Japan is expected to witness moderate growth as overall seafood consumption has declined, but convenient tuna formats are expected to be used in quick meals.

• Germany: Heavy reliance on imported fish and seafood makes import efficiency, supplier qualification and EU tuna flows especially important to category economics.
• USA: A mature shelf-stable tuna base is supported by wider seafood consumption, yet import reliance and species-specific health guidance shape assortment decisions.
• UK: Supermarket sourcing policies increasingly reward certified tuna, making traceability and fishery credentials more important to brand and private-label qualification.
• South Korea: An established tuna catching and export base supports processing know-how and international supply links, while domestic growth remains measured.
• Japan: Long-term declines in domestic seafood consumption restrict volume growth, but shelf-stable cans retain steady demand in convenient meal preparation.

Full report country CAGRs cover: North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa.

Country-wise Analysis

• Canned tuna demand in Germany is expected to grow at 4.5% CAGR through 2036, owing to high dependence on imported fish and seafood. The EU Fish Market 2025 reported improvement in Germany fishery and aquaculture trade deficit during 2024 [9]. Imported tuna reaches German retailers through the wider European canned tuna supply and processing network. As a result, change in raw-fish price and freight cost can quickly affect the price of canned tuna. Increasing availability of certified products and private-label cans is expected to support Germany canned tuna market during the forecast period.
• The USA canned tuna market is anticipated to grow at 4.1% CAGR over the forecast period, due to wide availability across the retail stores and familiar use of light-tuna products. U.S. imports of canned and prepared tuna reached a record 230,557 tonnes in 2024, according to FAO GLOBEFISH [10]. Importers will require eligible fisheries and complete harvest information for affected seafood products. Canned light tuna remains a regular household product under the FDA fish advice. Continued availability of eligible imported supply is expected to support canned tuna demand in the USA.
• The UK canned tuna market is expected to grow at 3.6% CAGR between 2026 and 2036. Increasing availability of certified tuna is one of the key factors supporting the market. The UK Marine Management Organisation reported that UK imports of prepared and preserved tuna reached 114,000 tonnes in 2024, valued at GBP 412 million across retail and food manufacturing channels [11]. Supermarkets are expanding certified skipjack products across the United Kingdom canned tuna sector under branded and private-label ranges, which is expected to support market growth.
• South Korea canned tuna market is anticipated to grow at 3.0% CAGR during the forecast period, supported by tuna harvesting and export-linked processing. The Korea National Report to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission stated that Korean purse seine vessels caught 11,700 tonnes of tuna in the Indian Ocean during 2024 [12]. Existing fishing and processing activities provide supply knowledge and product development capability to manufacturers. Increasing application of tuna in portioned cans, protein products and gift formats is likely to keep the market growing, although mature consumption conditions are expected to hold the CAGR below Germany, the USA and the UK.
• Japan canned tuna market is expected to grow at 2.7% CAGR through 2036. Canned tuna is used in salads, rice dishes and other quick meals due to its convenient form. The Japan Fisheries Agency reported that per-capita seafood consumption declined to 21.3 kilograms in 2024 from 40.2 kilograms in 2001 [13]. This long decline limits the possibility of high volume growth in the wider seafood market. However, canned tuna removes cleaning and portioning before use. Due to this convenience, the product is expected to maintain demand and support moderate, rather than rapid, market growth in Japan.

Who are the notable companies in the Canned Tuna Market?

Notable companies include Thai Union Group PCL, StarKist Co., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd., Bolton Group, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Chicken of the Sea, Wild Planet Foods, Inc., Nauterra, and American Tuna, Inc.

The global canned tuna market includes integrated seafood companies, national retail brands, and traceable tuna specialists. Integrated companies such as Thai Union Group PCL, Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd., Bolton Group, Century Pacific Food, Inc., and Nauterra operate across fishing, processing, and branded distribution. StarKist Co., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, and Chicken of the Sea maintain extensive retail and foodservice market reach in North America. Specialist providers such as Wild Planet Foods, Inc. and American Tuna, Inc. focus on pole-and-line harvesting and traceable single-species sourcing.

• Integrated multinational tuna supply and brand platforms: Thai Union Group PCL, Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd., Bolton Group, Century Pacific Food, Inc., and Nauterra.
• Large retail and foodservice tuna brand specialists: StarKist Co., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, and Chicken of the Sea.
• Traceability-led specialist canned tuna brands: Wild Planet Foods, Inc. and American Tuna, Inc.

Competitive Benchmarking: Canned Tuna Market

Company	Canned Tuna Portfolio Breadth	Traceability & Sourcing Controls	Supply Chain Integration	Geographic Reach
Thai Union Group PCL	High	High	High	North America, Europe, Asia and other international shelf-stable seafood markets
StarKist Co.	High	Unscored	Medium	United States with documented links to Pacific production and supply operations
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC	High	High	Medium	United States with globally sourced tuna
Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.	Medium	Unscored	High	South Korea, United States and other export markets through group businesses
Bolton Group	High	High	High	Europe, the Americas and an international presence across more than 150 countries
Century Pacific Food, Inc.	High	Medium	Medium	Philippines and documented export businesses
Chicken of the Sea	High	High	Medium	United States retail and foodservice channels
Wild Planet Foods, Inc.	Medium	Medium	Unscored	United States retail with tuna sourced from multiple ocean fisheries
Nauterra	High	Medium	High	Spain, Italy, Brazil, Central America and Argentina
American Tuna, Inc.	Low	High	Medium	United States with Pacific albacore sourcing and domestic canning

High represents broad public evidence across the stated capability, Medium represents narrower evidence, and Low represents limited documented breadth. These ratings describe public company capability and do not indicate product quality, revenue share, or company ranking.

Key Developments in the Canned Tuna Market

• In June 2026, Thai Union Group PCL published its 2025 Sustainability Report and reported full vessel-level tuna traceability with more than 99.9% responsible tuna sourcing [14]. The development supports retailer requirement for documented fishery origin.
• In May 2026, Chicken of the Sea committed its branded U.S. retail tuna portfolio to MSC certification by the end of 2026 [15]. The commitment is expected to expand certified tuna availability in mainstream retail.
• In April 2026, Bolton Group published its 2025 Sustainability Report and stated that 79% of its tuna was sourced from MSC-certified fisheries, with 100% compliance with ISSF conservation measures [16]. The progress reinforces sustainable sourcing across European retail canned tuna lines.

Key Players in the Canned Tuna Market

Integrated Multinational Tuna Supply and Brand Platforms

• Thai Union Group PCL
• Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.
• Bolton Group
• Century Pacific Food, Inc.
• Nauterra

Large Retail and Foodservice Tuna Brand Specialists

• StarKist Co.
• Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
• Chicken of the Sea

Traceability-Led Specialist Canned Tuna Brands

• Wild Planet Foods, Inc.
• American Tuna, Inc.

Canned Tuna Market - Report Scope

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Species Type, Distribution Channel, End-Use
Quantitative Units	USD Billion
Market Definition	Revenue includes canned tuna products sold through the specified species, channel and end-use categories. It excludes fresh or frozen tuna, pouch-only tuna, downstream prepared meals and other canned seafood. Bundled downstream foods and adjacent seafood are excluded to prevent overlap.
Regions Covered	North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Countries Covered	USA, UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea
Key Companies Profiled	Thai Union Group PCL, StarKist Co., Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd., Bolton Group, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Chicken of the Sea, Wild Planet Foods, Inc., Nauterra, American Tuna, Inc.
Forecast Period	2026 to 2036
Approach	Primary and secondary research with market triangulation.

Canned Tuna Market - Research Methodology

Method	Approach
Primary Research	FMI analysts gathered input from manufacturers, service providers, technology developers, distributors, end users, procurement teams and subject-matter experts. Interviews examined purchasing decisions, product or service evaluation, adoption barriers, approval requirements, pricing considerations and expectations for technical or commercial support. Respondents were also asked what evidence is required before a trial, pilot, or initial order develops into regular purchasing.
Desk Research	Desk research covered government statistics, regulatory publications, trade data, industry associations, technical literature, standards, company filings, product information and official corporate announcements. Sources were reviewed for relevance, publication date, geographic coverage and consistency with the defined market scope. Claims relating to performance, applications, approvals, capacity, investment and commercial activity were retained only when supported by credible public evidence.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	The market model combined the baseline value with historical performance, segment structure, pricing and volume indicators, adoption levels, company participation and country-level demand conditions. Forecast assumptions considered economic activity, investment trends, regulatory developments, technology adoption, purchasing cycles, supply availability and barriers to wider market use. Segment and regional estimates were reconciled before the final market total was calculated.
Data Validation	Estimates were checked against multiple independent indicators, including public data, company activity, trade patterns, industry developments and findings from primary interviews. Validation also tested whether products, services, applications and company revenues fell within the defined market boundaries. Adjacent categories, unsupported claims, overlapping revenues and activities without direct market relevance were excluded to reduce double counting and maintain consistency across segments and countries.

Canned Tuna Market by Segments

Canned Tuna Market segmented by Species Type:

• Skipjack Tuna
• Albacore
• Yellowfin Tuna
• Bigeye Tuna
• Bluefin Tuna
• Longtail Tuna

Canned Tuna Market segmented by Distribution Channel:

• Direct
• Indirect
• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Online Channels
• Others

Canned Tuna Market segmented by End-Use:

• Households
• Foodservice

Canned Tuna Market by Region

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Türkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, GLOBEFISH. (2026, July 23). Fuel costs and raw material shortages lift tuna prices.
• [2] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2025, August 29). NOAA Fisheries bolsters American seafood industry with new import provisions.
• [3] International Seafood Sustainability Foundation. (2026, January 29). Status of the world fisheries for tuna: January 2026.
• [4] Nauterra. (2025, April 10). Financial results: Nauterra reports a 4.4% increase in revenue in 2024.
• [5] Marine Stewardship Council. (2026, May). MSC UK Tuna Shopper Report 2026.
• [6] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Advice about eating fish.
• [7] World Bank. (2025, April). Commodity Markets Outlook: Navigating maritime costs and food security.
• [8] Marine Stewardship Council. (2026). One in two tins of tuna labelled sustainable, overtaking cod as UK’s top-selling MSC certified fish.
• [9] European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products. (2025, December 1). The EU Fish Market 2025.
• [10] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2025, October). Food availability and per capita consumption data system.
• [11] UK Marine Management Organisation. (2025, September 25). United Kingdom sea fisheries statistics 2024.
• [12] Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. (2025). Korea national report to the Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, 2025.
• [13] Japan Fisheries Agency. (2026, June). FY2025 White Paper on Fisheries summary.
• [14] Thai Union Group PCL. (2026, June 15). Thai Union marks 10 years of leadership in responsible tuna sourcing.
• [15] Chicken of the Sea. (2026, May 2). Chicken of the Sea commits branded U.S. retail tuna to MSC certification.
• [16] Bolton Group. (2026, April 28). Our 2025 Sustainability Report is out.

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

• How large is the canned tuna market in 2026 and what value is forecast by 2036?
• Which industry pressures support repeat demand for shelf-stable canned tuna?
• Why does Skipjack Tuna hold the leading position in the Species Type category?
• Why does Direct hold the leading position in the Distribution Channel category?
• Why do Households hold the leading position in the End-Use category?
• How do the profiled country growth rates differ between Germany, USA, UK, South Korea and Japan?
• Which profiled companies supply or participate in canned tuna product categories?
• What limits adoption, margin stability or supplier switching in canned tuna procurement?
• What should buyers evaluate before purchasing canned tuna from a supplier?