Tensions Rising In French Tuna Price Battle Between Canners And Retailers

News 09:11 27/02/2013 502
French tuna canners are urging retailers to raise the retail price of their products, and if the demands aren’t met, they will be less likely to invest in sustainable fishing due to lower profits, says Pierre Commere, director of Adepale, the country’s association of processors.

The canners have been dealing with higher raw material prices over the past 18 months, while the selling price of the finished product in France has barely budged. The prices of raw yellowfin and skipjack tuna have risen by 41% and 74% respectively, while canned tuna is retailing for EUR 8.30 per kilo, an increase of only EUR 0.20 from 2009.

Besides the surge in raw material prices, which represent about 45-65% of the finished product, steel and vegetable oil prices have also increased globally, according to FIAC Poissons, the fish division of the French canners association.

Over the past two years, the canners managed to pass on “only between 20-40% of the increase that they would have needed to maintain their profitability,” says Commere.

If the retail prices are not raised to reflect the higher production costs, “then profitability is lower and the capacity to invest in sustainable fishing production improvement is lower, and French canners will be in a more difficult situation,” says Commere.

In 2011, about 88% of French households bought canned tuna for a total of roughly 66,350 tons – making it the most popular canned fish product in France. It is purchased by consumers from all income levels and is popular especially in the spring and summer, according to FIAC.

Tuna was also the most produced canned fish item in 2011 in France, with French canners producing 115 million tuna cans or 20,700 tons.

With supermarkets battling to have the lowest prices possible for consumers, tensions are “high” during the annual negotiations, which have to be settled before Feb. 28, says Commere. 

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

VASEP published Report on Vietnam seafood exports in 2025

 |  11:00 11/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.

Ca Mau’s shrimp-rice model proves effective in climate change adaptation

 |  09:28 09/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.

Lam Dong tightens fishing vessel management in decisive crackdown on IUU fishing

 |  15:02 06/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Can Tho’s fishery output hits nearly 783,000 tons in 2025.

 |  15:12 04/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.

Pangasius exports in 2025 exceed USD 2 billion, with strong growth in multiple markets

 |  16:26 02/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain shift sharply toward processed segments

 |  09:48 26/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.

VIFTA expands opportunities for Vietnamese seafood enterprises in the Israeli market

 |  09:02 22/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...

Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports surge, EU market emerging as a late-2025 growth driver

 |  09:43 20/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.

Ca Mau leads the nation in shrimp output

 |  10:08 16/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.

Pangasius fingerling prices hit record highs

 |  15:21 14/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC