While the global tuna industry hauled in over 5 million metric tons last year, its multi-billion dollar story is one of staggering scale, complex challenges, and stark regional contrasts.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the global tuna catch totaled 5.02 million metric tons, with skipjack tuna accounting for 2.91 million metric tons or 58% of the total
- Pacific bluefin tuna spawning stock biomass was estimated at 28,466 metric tons in 2022, up 15% from 2021
- Yellowfin tuna catch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean reached 580,000 metric tons in 2022, representing 42% of global yellowfin catch
- US per capita tuna consumption was 3.1 pounds in 2022, highest among fresh/frozen tuna varieties
- Global canned tuna consumption reached 3.1 million metric tons in 2022, up 2% from 2021
- Japan consumed 450,000 metric tons of tuna in 2022, 40% as sashimi
- Global canned tuna market value was $14.5 billion in 2022
- Tuna industry generated $10 billion in export revenue for Pacific Island nations in 2022
- Thailand's tuna processing sector employed 50,000 workers in 2022
- 45% of major tuna stocks are sustainably managed per 2022 ISSF report
- Pacific bluefin tuna is subject to 50% spawning potential reduction target, achieved 48% in 2022
- 72% of tuna Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) have harvest control rules in 2022
- Global tuna exports reached 3.5 million metric tons in 2022, valued at $12 billion
- EU was top tuna importer with 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, $4 billion value
- Thailand exported 400,000 metric tons of tuna products worth $2.5 billion in 2022
The global tuna industry is large but faces significant sustainability challenges in 2022.
Consumption and Markets
- US per capita tuna consumption was 3.1 pounds in 2022, highest among fresh/frozen tuna varieties
- Global canned tuna consumption reached 3.1 million metric tons in 2022, up 2% from 2021
- Japan consumed 450,000 metric tons of tuna in 2022, 40% as sashimi
- EU imported 1.2 million metric tons of tuna products in 2022, 70% canned
- US canned tuna consumption was 300,000 metric tons in 2022, down 5% due to price increases
- Thailand's domestic tuna consumption grew to 100,000 metric tons in 2022
- Global sashimi-grade tuna demand was 200,000 metric tons in 2022, led by bluefin
- Italy consumed 80,000 metric tons of canned tuna in 2022, per capita 1.3 kg
- Australia's tuna consumption was 25,000 metric tons in 2022, 60% canned skipjack
- France's tuna pouch consumption increased 15% to 50,000 metric tons in 2022
- Brazil imported 120,000 metric tons of canned tuna in 2022 for domestic market
- Germany's tuna consumption was 70,000 metric tons in 2022, mostly private label
- Canned tuna sales in the US reached $2.5 billion in 2022
- Japan's bluefin tuna auction prices averaged ¥3.5 million per fish in 2022 at Tsukiji
- Spain's per capita tuna consumption was 5.2 kg in 2022, highest in EU
- Global ready-to-eat tuna pouch market grew 8% to 400,000 metric tons in 2022
- UK's tuna consumption fell 3% to 45,000 metric tons in 2022 amid inflation
- Iran's domestic canned tuna consumption was 30,000 metric tons in 2022
- Canada consumed 20,000 metric tons of tuna products in 2022, 80% imported
- Nigeria's urban tuna consumption reached 50,000 metric tons in 2022
- Private label canned tuna held 55% market share in EU in 2022
- US albacore consumption was 15,000 metric tons in 2022, premium segment
- China's growing middle class drove tuna consumption up 10% to 150,000 metric tons in 2022
- Mexico's per capita tuna intake was 2.5 kg in 2022
- Organic/sustainable labeled tuna sales grew 12% globally to 100,000 metric tons in 2022
- Russia imported 25,000 metric tons of canned tuna for consumption in 2022
- Global tuna oil consumption in pet food was 50,000 metric tons in 2022
Consumption and Markets Interpretation
It seems the world remains deeply hooked on tuna, both as a fancy feast in Japan and as a humble staple everywhere else, with the global appetite swimming steadily upward despite the occasional price shock making waves.
Economic Value and Employment
- Global canned tuna market value was $14.5 billion in 2022
- Tuna industry generated $10 billion in export revenue for Pacific Island nations in 2022
- Thailand's tuna processing sector employed 50,000 workers in 2022
- Ecuador's tuna industry contributed 1.5% to national GDP in 2022, valued at $1.2 billion
- Global tuna supply chain employs 4 million people directly and indirectly, per 2022 ISSF report
- US tuna canneries generated $3 billion in economic output in 2022
- Japan's tuna market valued at ¥1.2 trillion ($8.5 billion) in 2022
- EU tuna imports worth €3.8 billion in 2022, supporting 100,000 jobs
- Indonesia's tuna exports earned $1.8 billion in 2022
- Seychelles tuna sector GDP contribution was 25% or $400 million in 2022
- Global tuna processing capacity was 4 million metric tons in 2022, valued at $20 billion
- Iran's tuna industry employed 20,000 in processing, generating $500 million in 2022
- Spain's tuna canning industry worth €1.2 billion, employing 12,000 in 2022
- Papua New Guinea tuna cannery investments totaled $200 million in 2022, creating 5,000 jobs
- US West Coast tuna fleet generated $500 million in landings value in 2022
- China's tuna imports valued at $2.5 billion in 2022
- Maldives pole-and-line tuna fishery supports 20,000 jobs, $150 million revenue in 2022
- Global FAD management costs tuna fleets $100 million annually as of 2022
- Brazil's tuna sector exports reached $300 million in 2022, employing 10,000
- Vietnam's tuna processing exports valued $1.1 billion, 40,000 employees in 2022
- France's tuna processing industry €800 million turnover, 8,000 jobs in 2022
- Global insurance premiums for tuna vessels exceeded $500 million in 2022
- Kiribati government tuna access fees collected $120 million in 2022
- Italy's canned tuna exports $600 million, supporting 15,000 jobs in 2022
- Tuna bycatch mitigation technologies cost fleets $200 million yearly in 2022
- US albacore fishery landings value $120 million in 2022
- Global skipjack tuna price averaged $1,800 per metric ton in 2022
Economic Value and Employment Interpretation
The ocean serves up a serious business, with a can of tuna representing a global economic engine worth tens of billions, millions of livelihoods from pole to plate, and entire nations balancing their books on the back of a fish.
Production and Harvesting
- In 2022, the global tuna catch totaled 5.02 million metric tons, with skipjack tuna accounting for 2.91 million metric tons or 58% of the total
- Pacific bluefin tuna spawning stock biomass was estimated at 28,466 metric tons in 2022, up 15% from 2021
- Yellowfin tuna catch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean reached 580,000 metric tons in 2022, representing 42% of global yellowfin catch
- Bigeye tuna landings in the Atlantic Ocean were 52,000 metric tons in 2021, with purse seiners contributing 70%
- Albacore tuna catch worldwide was 302,000 metric tons in 2022, down 4% from 2021 due to quota reductions
- Skipjack tuna in the Indian Ocean had a catch of 450,000 metric tons in 2022, stable from previous years
- Purse seine vessels caught 3.1 million metric tons of tropical tunas in 2022, 62% of total tuna catch
- Pole-and-line fishing for skipjack tuna in the Maldives produced 85,000 metric tons in 2022
- Longline catch of bigeye tuna in the Pacific was 140,000 metric tons in 2022
- Ecuador's tuna fleet landed 250,000 metric tons in 2022, primarily skipjack and yellowfin
- Japan's distant water longline fleet caught 80,000 metric tons of tuna in 2022
- Indonesia's tuna production reached 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, leading Asia
- Purse seine FAD-associated sets accounted for 62% of tropical tuna catch in 2022
- South Africa's tuna longline catch was 12,000 metric tons in 2022, mainly albacore
- Kiribati's purse seine transshipment of tuna exceeded 300,000 metric tons in 2022
- Spain's purse seine fleet in Indian Ocean caught 120,000 metric tons of tropical tuna in 2022
- US purse seine vessels in Pacific caught 180,000 metric tons of skipjack in 2022
- Taiwan's longline bigeye tuna catch was 45,000 metric tons in 2022
- Philippines small-scale tuna fishers landed 400,000 metric tons in 2022
- Non-FAD purse seine sets caught only 5% of tropical tunas in 2022
- Mexico's tuna catch was 110,000 metric tons in 2022, mostly yellowfin
- Seychelles purse seine fleet produced 200,000 metric tons of tuna in 2022
- Global canned tuna production reached 3.2 million metric tons in 2022
- Handline catch of yellowfin in Indonesia was 150,000 metric tons in 2022
- EU purse seine tuna catch totaled 350,000 metric tons in 2022
- Papua New Guinea licensed 250 purse seiners, catching 500,000 metric tons in 2022
- Brazil's albacore longline catch was 8,000 metric tons in 2022
- Thailand's tuna processing from catch was 300,000 metric tons in 2022
- China's distant water tuna fleet caught 450,000 metric tons in 2022
- Global juvenile bigeye tuna catch by purse seine was 40,000 metric tons in 2022
Production and Harvesting Interpretation
While we cheer a 15% rebound in Pacific bluefin, the staggering 5 million-ton global tuna catch reminds us that our oceans are being relentlessly vacuumed, with over 60% of it hauled in by purse seine nets—a testament to both modern efficiency and the fragile line between harvest and depletion.
Sustainability and Conservation
- 45% of major tuna stocks are sustainably managed per 2022 ISSF report
- Pacific bluefin tuna is subject to 50% spawning potential reduction target, achieved 48% in 2022
- 72% of tuna Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) have harvest control rules in 2022
- FAD numbers in use reached 70,000 in Pacific purse seine fishery in 2022
- Bigeye tuna in WCPO overfished status unchanged in 2022, fishing mortality 150% above target
- 92% of EU tuna vessels use biodegradable FADs as of 2022
- IUU tuna catch estimated at 10-20% of total, 500,000 metric tons annually pre-2022 measures
- Pole-and-line tuna fisheries certified MSC increased to 15 in 2022
- Shark discards in tuna purse seine reduced 60% since 2010, to 1% of catch in 2022
- Tropical tuna FAD fishing mortality on bigeye reduced 20% via encirclement bans in 2022
- 85% of skipjack stocks not overfished in 2022 assessments
- RFMO adoption of electronic monitoring reached 50% compliance in tuna fleets by 2022
- Juvenile yellowfin tuna catch fraction was 25% in purse seine in 2022
- Bluefin tuna ICCAT TAC set at 33,580 metric tons for 2022-2023
- Global tuna aquaculture production 20,000 metric tons in 2022, mostly bluefin
- FAD-biodegradable compliance 100% for ISSF participants in 2022
- Seabird bycatch in longline tuna fisheries reduced 90% via tori lines in 2022
- Albacore South Pacific stock healthy, biomass 60% unfished levels in 2022
- Tuna carbon footprint averages 3.5 kg CO2 per kg canned skipjack in 2022 studies
- 65% of tuna products carry sustainability labels like MSC or pole-and-line in 2022
- Plastic waste from FADs estimated 100,000 metric tons annually before 2022 regs
- WCPO bigeye rebuilding plan progress 10% toward targets in 2022
- Global tuna traceability coverage 80% via blockchain pilots in 2022
- Overcapacity in tropical tuna purse seine fleet 30% above sustainable levels in 2022
- Dolphin mortality in ETP purse seine tuna fishery below 0.1 animals per set in 2022
- Yellowfin Indian Ocean stock overfished, SSB 20% below MSY in 2022
- Global tuna vessel monitoring systems cover 95% of large vessels in 2022
Sustainability and Conservation Interpretation
The industry's report card shows a determined but still-stumbling student: while we've aced our homework on biodegradable gear and shark conservation, we're barely passing the vital tests on bluefin recovery and combating illegal fishing, proving that managing the seas requires both high-tech vigilance and old-fashioned political will.
Trade and Supply Chain
- Global tuna exports reached 3.5 million metric tons in 2022, valued at $12 billion
- EU was top tuna importer with 1.2 million metric tons in 2022, $4 billion value
- Thailand exported 400,000 metric tons of tuna products worth $2.5 billion in 2022
- Ecuador tuna exports totaled 350,000 metric tons, $1.5 billion in 2022
- China imported 800,000 metric tons of raw tuna for processing in 2022, $3 billion
- US imported 500,000 metric tons of canned tuna in 2022, mostly from Thailand
- Indonesia exported 600,000 metric tons of tuna, $2 billion revenue in 2022
- Spain exported 250,000 metric tons of canned tuna to EU markets in 2022
- Vietnam tuna exports 250,000 metric tons, $1.2 billion to US/EU in 2022
- Papua New Guinea exported 500,000 metric tons frozen tuna, $800 million in 2022
- Iran exported 100,000 metric tons canned tuna to Middle East in 2022
- Japan imported 300,000 metric tons frozen tuna loins in 2022
- Seychelles licensed transshipments 400,000 metric tons tuna in 2022
- Mexico exported 150,000 metric tons tuna products to US in 2022
- India re-exported 200,000 metric tons processed tuna in 2022
- Global tuna cold chain logistics valued at $5 billion in 2022
- US-EU tuna trade volume 100,000 metric tons under agreements in 2022
- Ghana canned tuna exports to EU 20,000 metric tons in 2022
- Korea imported 150,000 metric tons tuna for sashimi market in 2022
- Brazil imported 80,000 metric tons frozen tuna from Asia in 2022
- UAE re-export hub handled 100,000 metric tons tuna in 2022
- Russia banned EU tuna imports affecting 50,000 metric tons in 2022
- Global tuna container shipments 1 million TEU in 2022
- Senegal processed 30,000 metric tons tuna for EU export in 2022
- Turkey imported 50,000 metric tons raw tuna for canning in 2022
- Australia exported 15,000 metric tons sashimi tuna to Japan in 2022
- WTO tuna trade disputes resolved 5 cases impacting $500 million in 2022
- Blockchain-tracked tuna shipments reached 200,000 metric tons in 2022 pilots
Trade and Supply Chain Interpretation
The global tuna industry, a finely orchestrated ballet of aquatic commerce, sees billions of dollars and millions of metric tons flow across every ocean and continent, proving the world’s appetite for this fish is matched only by the intricate, high-stakes logistics required to deliver it from hook to plate.
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