Canned Tuna and Sardines Market

CANNED TUNA AND SARDINES MARKET OVERVIEW

Canned Tuna and Sardines Market was valued at USD 12.67 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13.42 billion in 2025, growing to USD 21.20 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.

In recent years the canned tuna and sardine market show sustainable growth indicated by the increasing consumer interest for easily accessible cheap convenient protein options. The popularity of canned fish is partly the result of its superior shelf life, convenience for storage, and versatility on the local foodservice and private households market. We are seeing an uptrend in the popularity of canned tuna and sardines as a superior snack option for high protein healthier food urban lifestyles with their schedules. Furthermore, the transition to alternative sustainable buying practices and sustainable consumer consciousness about overfishing has led to an attempt toward green fisheries methods eco-certifications incorporated in canned fish products. Market growth is expected to be propelled by several drivers such as increasing disposable income in emerging nations, urban increase in population and increasing growth in demand of healthy diets

Likewise, the expansion of distribution channels into supermarkets, hypermarkets to online store is contributing to higher availability of canned tuna and sardines input goods. As e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales portals increase in numbers, consumers found it easy to purchase these products especially since home delivery became a common phenomenon due to COVID-19. The market can exploit higher growth in eco-friendly packaging innovation not only by utilizing BPA free can packaging material to fulfil demand for "green" or "health-first" consumer friendly packaging choice. But outside-in market growth is affected by raw material cost volatility and supply chain shocks.

COVID-19 IMPACT 

"Canned Tuna and Sardines Industry Had a Negative Effect Due to supply chain disruption during COVID-19 Pandemic"

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the canned sardines and tuna market, consumer buying and supply chains for its impact on the retail sector. In the wake of worldwide first lockdowns, where certain food products such as shelf stable foods like canned tuna and sardines become depleted due to higher demand from stocking non-perishable products. As demand grew with increasing manufacturing and distribution channels disrupted, factories were shut down for short time frames and the distribution networks went into overdrive. Moreover, labour shortages at processing plants and involvement of third-party shipping and warehousing put product on store shelves at risk. The pandemic increased consumer consciousness of the importance of food security in the long term, which ensured the need for canned goods. But production schedules were set back and production costs increased due to the pandemic that impacted supply chains, especially due to raw material sourcing and packaging materials. Due to the changing consumer demands amidst pandemic conditions, manufacturers started adding to their product lines in line with the current consumer trend which includes premium and value-added canned tuna and sardines. All this notwithstanding, pandemic magnified the market’s resiliency and consumption never really slowed down for even one day of convenient, healthy and long shelf-life food products.

LATEST TREND

"Sustainability and Health-Conscious Offerings to Drive Market Growth"

The canned tuna and sardines’ industry is one with the new trend of more and more demand for sustainable products such an which the canned seafood industry is seeing rapid shifts. Thanks to increasing consumer awareness about the environment, few post their food's source and packaging on their minds. This has led to greater consumption of sustainably caught tuna and sardines, with more businesses going the certified route such as the Marine Stewardship Council, or MSC to assure consumers they are harvesting responsibly. In addition, there is the push of companies toward sustainable products i.e. packaging made from reusable or biodegradable materials. Health-conscious consumption: rising is a second trend of high demand for canned fish predominantly appealing to the protein and fat rich consumers, backed by improving health consciousness. Canned tuna and sardines, high in omega-3 fatty acids are being marketed as a potential snack or meal option to provide healthier alternatives to the traditional snack. Product innovation is also ramping up, with companies introducing tuna and sardine varieties in flavours to suit a broader palate and increase marketability of these products to more consumers. Resulting in a dynamic of the market to drive higher growth as consumers turn to sustainability and natural health when making food choices.

CANNED TUNA AND SARDINES MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into canned tuna and canned sardines

• Canned Tuna: Canned tuna is the leading player in the canned seafood market owing to its versatility, shelf life, and richness in protein. It is utilized across a range of salas, sandwiches, and ready meals, thus becoming an integral component in households and foodservice operations.

• Canned Sardines: Canned sardines held great nutritional values as well been rich in omega-3 fatty acids and continued consumption of calcium It is also a common item across several instances in dishes & flavors as well, owing to its increasing popularity among international cuisines and availability in seasoned form.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retailers and others

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets: The largest market share segment due to large product range, low promotional prices and the single stop shopping available with supermarkets and hypermarkets. This is a price transparent and brand comparison store for shoppers.

• Convenience Stores: These are the easiest for customers to get seafood canned products at quick moments when they are on-the-go. Increasing volumes of outlets in urban areas are making it the driver for single-service and impulse base sales.

• Online Retailers: with the trend of e-retail and home delivery being increasingly popular, online channels get more traction. Availability of gives discounts and a wider range of product online is one factor that fuels segment.

• Others: Specialty stores and direct-to-consumer channels that serve niche customer tastes are included here. These channels are usually favored for premium or sustainably certified canned seafood products.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.                         

DRIVING FACTORS

"Rising Demand for Convenient Protein Sources to Boost the Market"

As consumer demand for convenience, health and readily available foods is increasing, which in turn impacting the canned tuna and sardines market growth. As per the hustle of urban life, the growing need for convenience food that nourishes and can be quickly consumed canned seafood fills that requirement. The canned sardines, tuna are a perfect replacement of those burgers and hot-dogs for they are quite high on quality protein and nutrients such as Omega 3 fatty acids, eliminated the fast foods over processed meats. Also, because of the increasing efforts in research about seafood, especially in heart health, one observes a double-digit growth for canned tuna and sardines. Added the shift in the nature of global demand favoring sustainability and environmentally friendly food have cemented canned sardines and tuna as a major player in their space, since they are more sustainable than other animal proteins, this will help grow the canned sardines and tuna market still further.

"Expansion of Organized Retail and E-Commerce Channels to Expand the Market"

Organic retail such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, with quick growth momentum along with e-commerce platform has a major contribution attributed towards rise in canned tuna and sardines market demand. With the increase in online shopping for food due to consumers opting away from offline physical stores completely especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the available accessibility to purchase canned seafood products online has widened the horizon of market reach beyond store settings. Online shopping sites have enabled the customers to shop conveniently with a comparison of multiple brands, diverse products and fostering subscription models that drive repeat purchases. Also, online advertisements and discounts make people buy canned tuna or sardines in mass due to that This market is expected to increase with the expanding of these shopping channels as natural in physical-store and virtual form.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

"Environmental and Sustainability Concerns to Potentially Impede Market Growth"

One of the major constrained that affect the canned tuna and sardines’ market potential growth is increasing adverse publicity on the account of environmental sustainability along with overfishing. Overfishing has depleted the fish stocks, especially species like yellowfin and bluefin tuna leading environmentalists and regulators to sound alarms. This translates into tougher fishing legislation and certification standards that are pushing costs higher for producers. Furthermore, consumers are getting more and more informed about their environment and like to buy seafood that can be acknowledged as a responsible company. Being out-of-compliance with these sustainability requirements can result in backlash, ratcheted down brand loyalty and limited market access for companies that practice in markets with rigorous eco-labeling laws. All of these challenges working together hold the market from a drag to succeed. Moreover, efforts to better offset marine biodiversity have initiated campaigns that implore against some types of fish in the market, some hourly could directly affect sales. Distributors and retailers are also turning to collaborations with ethical sourcing brands as well, which helps put extreme pressure on the conventional producers in canned tuna and sardines.

OPPORTUNITY

"Rising Demand for Healthy and Sustainable Protein Sources to Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market"

The growing phenomenon of health-aware food consumption presents a massive opportunity for canned sardines and tuna market growth. Consumers are opting more and more for protein foods with essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, present in tuna and sardines. Millennials and urban consumers are leading the trend especially hard in search of convenient and shelf-stable nutrition. In addition, the pressure for sustainable sourcing of seafood offers a platform for companies to innovate on eco-labeling and sustainable fisheries methods. Companies that lead in embracing transparency, traceability, and sustainable packaging can command a significant share of the market. In addition, governments and health agencies advocating for seafood as healthy diet elements are also playing a role in further propelling demand. Growth into expanding markets with higher disposable incomes and retail infrastructure expansion is expected to open up new growth prospects for market players.

CHALLENGE

"Sustainability and Overfishing Concerns Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers"

Among the most significant challenges facing the market for canned tuna and sardines is growing concern about environmental sustainability and overfishing. The marine life is confronted with too high levels of fishing, which has raised the alarm among environmental groups and conscious consumers. These fears have placed growing pressure on companies to engage in sustainable fishing strategies, which tend to be more costly to run. Furthermore, conflicting worldwide regulation and ineffective enforcement in some places hinder efforts to ensure levels of consistency in sustainability. Transparency through such inconsistent practices leads to consumer loss of faith, causing dilution in brand equity. With higher volumes of consumers worrying about obtaining seafood in a moral way, companies have to incur investment on certification, traceability, and agreements with sustainable fishing enterprises if they have to fit into the emerging market. Furthermore, climate change poses a threat to the market in the form of the danger of having stable supply chains under its impacts. Unpredictable weather such as storms and rising sea temperatures could disrupt the fishery business, affecting supply as well as price of canned tuna and sardines. Therefore, companies must innovate through diversifying sources of supply and spending on technology that helps enhance forecasting as well as managing these threats.

CANNED TUNA AND SARDINES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• 

• North America 

The United States is still a leading power in North America for canned sardines and canned tuna. As more and more consumers make convenience a priority, ready-to-eat convenient canned seafood products have been on the rise. The United States canned tuna and sardines market has witnessed rising demand for premium, sustainably produced products in recent years, as American consumers become more environmentally conscious about the effect of their shopping. This trend towards sustainability is also being echoed in the response of the industry, with companies taking up certifications for sustainably caught fish. In parallel, health-conscious consumers prefer canned tuna and sardines as inexpensive, high-protein, and omega-3 content foods and therefore driving the market growth as a whole. Besides, due to availability of canned seafood in the form of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online shopping avenues, United States canned sardines and tuna market will continue to grow.

• Europe

Europe holds a substantial portion of the global canned tuna and sardines market share, with countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy being major producers and consumers of canned seafood. The increasing demand for sustainable, organic, and responsibly sourced products has driven the adoption of eco-friendly fishing practices in the region, which in turn impacts the canned tuna and sardines market share. Mediterranean countries are particularly significant in the sardine segment, with traditional production methods adding to the appeal of these products. In addition to sustainability, European consumers are increasingly looking for healthier food options, fueling the demand for products rich in protein, such as canned tuna and sardines. As health-conscious lifestyles continue to grow in popularity across the region, the market share of canned fish in Europe is projected to expand, with both premium and budget-friendly products continuing to meet diverse consumer preferences.

• Asia

Asia is rapidly emerging as a key region in the global canned tuna and sardines market. With a large population base and growing urbanization, demand for convenient and affordable food options, such as canned tuna and sardines, is on the rise. Countries like Japan, China, and Thailand are major contributors to the market growth, driven by strong local production and consumption. The United States Canned Tuna and Sardines Market has led the charge in promoting sustainable seafood sourcing, and this trend is being increasingly adopted in Asian markets as well. Furthermore, rising disposable incomes and a growing middle class in Asia are making premium canned tuna and sardines more accessible to a broader consumer base. With consumers becoming more health-conscious, there is a shift towards products offering high nutritional value, such as omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein, which is fueling canned tuna and sardines market growth in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion"

Key industry players in the canned tuna and sardines market are increasingly focusing on sustainability, product innovation, and expanding their product portfolios to cater to changing consumer preferences. Leading brands are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable sourcing for tuna and sardines and reducing the environmental impact of packaging. Many companies are introducing premium products with added nutritional benefits, such as omega-3-rich options or products free from preservatives and artificial additives. Additionally, these companies are investing in expanding their presence in emerging markets, especially in Asia, where there is a growing demand for canned seafood. Partnerships with retail chains and online platforms are also a focus, enabling industry players to reach a broader consumer base. This strategic approach is helping to increase their market share and meet the evolving consumer demand for both convenient and health-conscious food options.

List of Top Companies              

• Dongwon (South Korea)
• Bumble Bee Foods (United States)
• Thai Union Group (TUF) (Thailand)
• Crown Prince, Inc. (United States)
• Natural Sea (United States)
• Wild Planet (United States)
• American Tuna (United States)
• Century Pacific Food (Philippines)
• Frinsa del Noroeste (Spain)
• Hagoromo (Japan)
• Bolton Group (Italy)
• Grupo Calvo (Spain)
• Camil Alimentos (Brazil)
• Goody (Saudi Arabia)
• Al Alali (UAE)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

March 2024: Thai Union Group (TUF) (Thailand) launched a new line of sustainable canned tuna products under their "Ocean Hero" brand. This initiative aims to provide eco-friendly packaging and tuna sourced from sustainable fisheries, contributing to reducing the environmental impact of the canned tuna industry. The company plans to expand the product line globally, starting with key markets in Europe and North America. Thai Union's commitment to sustainability aligns with growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products. By promoting traceability and responsible sourcing, the brand is positioned to capture a larger share of the growing market for sustainably sourced seafood, addressing the increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly alternatives.

REPORT COVERAGE

The canned tuna and sardines market is experiencing steady growth, driven by consumer demand for convenient, nutritious, and shelf-stable food options. Key segments include canned tuna and canned sardines, with applications ranging from retail stores like supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores to the rising trend of online retail. The market is also supported by the growing awareness of the health benefits associated with seafood consumption, such as high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content. However, challenges such as supply chain disruptions and the impact of global events like the Russia-Ukraine war have created market fluctuations.

Despite these hurdles, there are significant opportunities in the growing preference for sustainably sourced products. Major players in the market are focusing on eco-friendly packaging, sustainable sourcing, and enhancing product traceability to cater to increasingly environmentally conscious consumers. This trend is expected to contribute significantly to the canned tuna and sardines market growth in the coming years. Moreover, the industry's growth is further bolstered by the increasing popularity of online retail channels, which offer consumers greater accessibility and convenience in purchasing canned seafood products.