US Canned Tuna Sales Fall Again By Almost 4%

News 14:02 22/06/2012 KT
(atuna.com) Unlike the progress of the European market, recent trends show U.S. volumes of canned tuna keep shrinking. It is not only the common size of the tuna cans that is shrinking from 6oz to 5oz, but it also the amount of consumers buying them.

A continued major worry for the Big Three, who do not seem to have found a way to turn the trend yet. The U.S. sold about 1.5 billion cans of tuna during the 12-month period ending March 2012, a decrease of 3.6% - or about 58 million cans less - from year-end 2010. These figures are based off equivalization factor, where case volume has been equivalized to a case of 48 five-ounce cans. “The decline in volume for both albacore and lightmeat tuna is the direct result of increased retail prices - everyday and promotional price points.  The leading brands took pricing action due to escalating fish costs,” says Dave Melbourne, senior vice president of marketing at U.S. tuna processor Bumble Bee Foods.

Tight supply of tuna raw materials is not only causing higher retail prices, but it’s also led to the closure of one tuna cannery. In May, Bumble Bee announced it could no longer sustain its packing plant in Puerto Rico due to the reduced production.

With the rising costs, U.S. consumer demand for canned tuna also continues to wane. Since 2000, about 11% of American families have stopped eating tuna. Light tuna, which represents about two-thirds of the country’s tuna consumption, could now especially lose its budget-friendly appeal to those households with lower incomes.

Young consumers – 35 years of age and under – are also less inclined to buy tuna due to the high prices, availability of alternative lunch options and an overall less favorable perception.

But, while the retail prices of canned and pouch tuna have increased, the positive news is that they have not increased in the same proportion as many other U.S. consumer staples, says Melbourne.

Since 2003, the average price of lean ground beef per pound has sharply climbed 49.2%. Meanwhile, the price of a 5-ounce can of “solid white” albacore tuna has increased by 16.7% and a can of “chunk light” tuna has risen by 41.7%.

With the problem of obesity in the spotlight and the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines last year urging consumers to eat more seafood, Melbourne says tuna couldn't be better positioned as a "go to" food.

“Canned and pouch tuna is one of the healthiest food options available in the U.S. market. It is convenient, versatile, and affordable.”

The leading U.S brands – Bumble Bee, StarKist, and Chicken of the Sea – are expected to step up their marketing efforts to educate and engage consumers.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết US Canned Tuna Sales Fall Again By Almost 4% tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Ca Mau promotes scaling up RAS-IMTA shrimp farming model toward sustainable development

 |  10:11 01/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).

Ho Chi Minh City approves aquatic animal disease prevention and control plan for 2026–2030

 |  10:07 30/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Chile’s tuna imports surge in 2025, can Vietnamese tuna accelerate?

 |  09:59 28/03/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.

Vinh Long promotes sustainable development of brackish water shrimp farming

 |  09:28 26/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.

Ha Tinh tightens shrimp seed management to reduce risks for spring–summer crop

 |  09:25 24/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.

Vietnam pangasius exports in February 2026: China remains the leading market

 |  09:23 22/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.

Da Nang promotes high-tech shrimp farming

 |  09:06 20/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.

Shrimp seed industry 2025: A turning point in technology, management and broodstock self-sufficiency

 |  14:57 18/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.

Shrimp exports in the first two months of 2026: China drives growth, lobster surges

 |  08:42 16/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.

Vietnamese pangasius shows positive growth across major market blocs

 |  09:09 13/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.

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