'...the industry must continue to cultivate the domestic market while simultaneously expanding its share of the international market.'

China becomes the third largest tuna exporter

CHINA
Monday, September 16, 2024, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

On August 29, 2024, the International Tuna Industry (Shanghai) Summit Forum was held in Shanghai. The summit forum was jointly organized by Frozen Food Guide, Zhejiang Ocean Fisheries Association, and Shanghai International Fishery Expo. More than 200 participants including industry leaders, authoritative experts, and industry elites attended the meeting to exchange new development trends in the global tuna industry and grasp the latest and most comprehensive industry development dynamics and new trade challenges.

Professor Xu Liuxiong of Shanghai Ocean University gave a keynote speech entitled "The Current Status and Challenges of Sustainable Development of Tuna in China", pointing out that China's total tuna catch will reach 395,000 tons in 2023, with 49 fishing companies and a total of 486 fishing vessels involved in fishing operations. Between 2018 and 2022, the average number of vessels was between 498 and 511, including 14 to 16 purse seine fishing vessels and 483 to 495 longline fishing vessels. However, the industry is facing major challenges that threaten its long-term viability. The main difficulties include ensuring reliable labor, sluggish demand in the international market, and rising operating costs due to rising fuel prices and labor costs.

Bill Holden, Director of the Global Tuna Project of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), delivered a speech titled "Recent Status and Market Opportunities of Sustainable Development of the Global Tuna Industry". He introduced that China is currently the world's third largest exporter of tuna products, second only to Thailand and Ecuador. In 2022, China accounted for 7% of the global tuna product export market, Thailand dominated with a share of 29%, and Ecuador ranked second with a share of 15%. Holden emphasized that Thailand and Spain are the main markets for China's tuna exports, of which 25% of the total exports are sold to Thailand and 17% to Spain.

Liu Youqian, Chairman of the China Canning Industry Association, delivered a speech titled "Developing the Domestic and International Canned Tuna Market: Keeping Up with the Times." In his address, Liu highlighted key developments in China's canned tuna industry. In 2015, the market was valued at RMB 507 million (approximately US$71.1 million), experiencing rapid growth through 2019, when it reached RMB 565 million. However, growth has slowed in recent years, with the market size increasing by only RMB 58 million since 2019. As of today, the market is estimated at around RMB 623 million (US$87 million).

Despite this stagnation, Liu remains optimistic about the future, particularly in China’s larger cities, where canned tuna is gaining popularity among middle- and upper-income households, driven by growing health consciousness. He emphasized the potential for continued growth in the domestic market, while also noting significant developments in the export sector.

Illustration generated by FIS

China’s canned tuna exports are on the rise, reaching 139,100 metric tons in 2023, up from 130,300 tons in 2022 and 135,300 tons in 2021. In the first half of 2024 alone, exports surged by 70% year-on-year, amounting to 90,500 tons. China is solidifying its position as the third-largest exporter of canned tuna globally, with export values hitting US$832 million in 2023—a remarkable 100% increase from US$416 million in 2017.

Chairman Liu stressed that the industry must continue to cultivate the domestic market while simultaneously expanding its share of the international market.

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