Major Importers

Major importers of canned tuna

In 2000, total world canned tuna imports stood at 736,000 tons, slightly increased by 2 percent from 1999, and sharply increased by 36 percent from 1995. The US is the main canned tuna importer in terms of both quantity and value.

In 2000, total US imports of canned tuna stood at 128,000 tons, accounting for 17 percent of total world canned tuna imports in terms of quantity, down 19 percent from 1999. The total value of US canned tuna imports stood at US$ 252 million, down 30 percent from 1999. Thailand continues to be the main canned tuna supplier to the US market.

European countries are among the top canned tuna importers, with a strong increase in imports experienced by France and the US. In 2000, total French imports of canned tuna increased 38 percent from 80,000 tons in 1999 to 110,000 tons in. France imports very little from Asia or the Pacific, and almost all its imports come from Africa. In the past, Western Africa dominated the French canned tuna market, but in recent years, canneries on Indian Ocean islands have become important suppliers to the French market.

Table 15 Annual world imports of canned tuna into major importing countries, unit = 1,000 tons

Table 16 Annual world imports of canned tuna into major importing countries, US$ million