ANALYSIS: Is the Frozen Tuna Market Poised for A Rebound?

As seasonal warm weather envelops the nation, a traditionally revitalized phase of food service and retail demand emerges. This seasonal shift entices consumers outdoors, whether they're firing up grills at home or embarking on vacation adventures. Many market participants are optimistic that this transition will breathe new life into the frozen tuna market, lifting it from its stagnant state.

Throughout 2023 and into the first half of 2024, the economy grappled with the impact of elevated interest rates and pervasive economic uncertainty, leading to...

February Sales of Imported Fresh Tuna at Toyosu Market Plummet 

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, 180 imported tuna arrived at the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in February; about a quarter of the 670 in the same month last year. In addition to sharp declines in bluefins and southern bluefin tuna, no bigeye tuna arrived.

Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported that the total number of bluefin tuna was 93 (compared to 398 in the same month last year). This year there were no Korean purse seine fish, compared to 350 fish a year ago. The mainstay...

NASEM Committee Announces Findings Between Seafood Consumption and Child Growth 

A committee with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a webinar this week, examining the connection between seafood consumption — particularly in women of a child bearing age, pregnant and breastfeeding women — and child growth and development. 

The Committee on the Role of Seafood Consumption in Child Growth and Development looked at finfish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and marine and freshwater fish. The aim of this research was to better understand the nutritional benefits of seafood consumption weighed against the health risks. The group found that...

Pokeworks Expands Plant-Based Tuna Launch After Summer Success in Irvine Location

Fast casual poke brand Pokeworks is set to expand their plant-based tuna launch after initially having a limited roll out at their Irvine, California, location in June 2023. 

Beginning on February 26, Pokeworks diners in California’s Bay Area will be able to order the minimally processed, 100% plant-based, sushi-grade tuna. The plant-based option can be used in any one of Pokeworks’ signature poke bowls, or can be added to a custom creation. Pokeworks customers in New York City will find the option available...

Japan: December Fresh Tuna Imports Plummeted 49% to 131 Fish Year-on Year

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, the number of imported tuna arriving at the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in December 2023 was 131, a decrease of about 49% compared to 255 in the same month last year. Although bigeye tuna increased slightly, sales of bluefin tuna decreased significantly despite the end of the year, the peak demand period, due to no delivery of imported farmed bluefins at auction sites, the Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 89...

East Coast Tuna Candy Disrupting Seafood Snack Industry With New Flavors, Nationwide Distribution

Seafood in the morning, seafood in the evening…and seafood at snack time! Get ready, because East Coast Tuna Candy is ready to disrupt the snacking sector! 

New Jersey-based East Coast Tuna Candy, an innovator in the seafood industry, is not only launching new flavors of their mouthwatering product, but also received approval for nationwide distribution. 

“This is a significant milestone for East Coast Tuna Candy,” said David Iacono, CEO of East Coast Tuna Candy. “We’re looking forward to bringing our products...

StarKist Debuts New Tuna Pouches and Kits

StarKist is introducing some new options for tuna lovers that are always on the go. 

“At StarKist, we’ve always been dedicated to not only offering the highest quality products but also innovating with tuna, salmon and chicken to meet the growing consumer demand for nutritious, convenient and flavorful protein options,” said Tom Aslin, the Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at StarKist. “Our new products in the ‘Creations’ Pouch and ‘Lunch-To-Go’ Kit line embody this commitment, bringing convenience and lean protein without sacrificing taste.”

StarKist’s Tuna Creations line is expanding with a...

Tuna Workshops Lead to Progress in Developing Favorable Management Measures in the Pacific

Sometimes informal workshops can lead to faster -- and stronger -- outcomes.

Such is the case with the potential bigeye tuna fishing, especially, in the Western and Central Pacific.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority convened an informal meeting last week to discuss longline fishery management components of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission conservation and management measure for tropical tunas. Held at the WCPFC headquarters ...

Chicken of the Sea Partners with Spice Giant McCormick to Create New Tuna Packet Flavors

Chicken of the Sea has partnered with McCormick, one of the biggest spice and extract firms on the planet to create three new tuna packet flavors.

The company said the new options would be a perfect fit for consumers on the go and provide both nutrition and taste in a convenient way.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three new varieties:

- McCormick Lemon Garlic: This zesty wild caught tuna in a convenient single serve packet is loaded with 14g...

Fresh Tuna Sales Strong at Toyosu Market in August Despite a Sharp Increase in North American Bluefins

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, the number of imported tuna in the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in August was 3,190, an increase of 45.1% compared to last year. Although the number of bigeye tuna decreased, wild bluefins and southern bluefins increased significantly, reported Minato Shimbun.

The total number of bluefin tuna was 454, an increase of approximately 3.5 times compared to the same month last year. Nearly 90% of the total was...

Owner of F/V Ocean Provider Fined $6,000 Over 30,000 Pounds of Tuna

The owners of fishing vessel Ocean Provider have been fined $6,000 after pleading guilty to fishing for albacore tuna without a valid license between the period of July 22, 2022 and August 15, 2022.

Routine fisheries inspections conducted by fishery officers on board the CCGS Tanu boarded the Ocean Provider one day when it was approximately 42 nautical miles offshore of Barkley Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Officers found that the crew were actively fishing, but that the vessel did...

AQUA Cultured Foods’ New Partnership To Aid In Development, Advancement of Alternative Seafood 

Food technology company AQUA Cultured Foods has announced a new partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks. 

Chicago-based AQUA has developed the world’s first whole-cut seafood alternatives through microbial fermentation. This process produces sustainable, fish-free tuna, scallops and more using less resources than traditional aquaculture. And now, Boston-based cell program and biosecurity company Ginkgo will help AQUA optimize that technology in order to elevate the quality of its 100% fish-free seafood products. These products are made from microbes and fibers combined with...

Japan: January Fresh Tuna Imports Below 100 Fish for Three Consecutive Years

According to data compiled by Jiji Press, the number of imported tuna in the fresh tuna section of Tokyo's Toyosu Market in January was 40 fish, compared to 26 in the same month last year; a low level below 100 for the third consecutive year. There were 37 bluefin tuna, three bigeye tuna, and no wild southern bluefin tuna for the fourth consecutive year, reported Suisan Keizai Shinbun.

Of the 37 bluefin tuna, compared to eight in the same month last year, the most significant number of...

7-Eleven Singapore Introduces ‘K-Flavour Hits’ Menu Featuring Seafood

Seafood might not be your first thought when visiting convenience store chain 7-Eleven… but based on locations they do have it!

7-Eleven Singapore announced this week that they are featuring some authentic Korean seafood options as part of the launch of their ”K-Flavour Hits” menu. Singapore shoppers will find a selection of Korean-inspired ready-to-eat items, including packed meals, snacks and sandwiches, with prices starting at $2.80. 

In the ready-to-eat packed meals category seafood lovers will be able to find...

Japan: November Fresh Atlantic Bluefin Imports Increased by 6.5% in Value

According to the Ministry of Finance's import customs statistics, although the rate of decline in the volume of marine products airlifted in November improved slightly, the volume remained unchanged at 90% from the previous year. Despite the strong yen depreciation, the mainstay product, tuna, has improved. Crustaceans and shellfish have also performed well, albeit to a lesser extent, according to the Suisan Keizai Shimbun.

The airlifted import result in November was 3,693 tons, or 8,875.41 million yen ($59.93 million), a decrease of 6.0% in quantity...

U.S. Garners Gains, Losses at Western and Central Pacific Commission Meeting

Discussions about tropical tuna conservation went until the wee hours of the morning Saturday in the Cook Islands and returned mixed results for the U.S. Western Pacific fisheries.

The 20^th regular session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting was an overall success, according to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, resulting in a revised tropical tuna conservation and management measure (CMM) for 2024 through 2026. The measure, which covers nearly 60% of global tuna supply, establishes international rules for bigeye, skipjack and yellowfin ...

Bumble Bee Seafoods Partners With “Even Stevens” Star Christy Carlson Romano

Millennial Disney icon Christy Carlson Romano is the latest star to partner with Bumble Bee Seafoods. Ahead of the holidays, the seafood brand is encouraging consumers to turn to tuna before their meals with their new “Eat BEEfore You Eat” campaign. 

“I know that for my family, the days leading up to the big holiday celebrations are filled with errands, to–do lists, and a lot of time in the kitchen preparing for big meals,” said Carlson Romano. “That’s where Bumble Bee can come in handy, in a..

Japan: August Tuna Imports Soared 37% in Fresh, Fell 6% in Frozen

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, the imports of tuna in August were 727 tons of fresh and chilled fish, a 37% increase from the same month last year, 1,553 million yen ($10.44 million), a 41% increase. Imports of frozen tuna were 13,235 tons, a 6% decrease, 13.35 billion yen ($89.77 million), a 16% decrease. Processed products remained unchanged at 3.962 billion yen ($26.63 million). Still, the volume of 4,653 tons decreased 8%. 

The quantity of fresh Atlantic bluefin tuna was 72 tons...

Western Pacific Council: Status Quo Regs Preferable for Proposed Pacific Remote Islands Sanctuary

Sanctuaries happen. That doesn't mean fisheries regulations should change within their boundaries, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council said.

At its September meeting, the Council reviewed data on current fishing in the proposed Pacific Remote Islands sanctuary and the multitude of fishing regulations that govern the area. It concluded that the regulatory scheme in place may already satisfy the proposed goals and objectives presented by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

The NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center shared data with the Council that ...

Japanese-style Restaurants in China Say Japanese Seafood Scares Customers Away 

China’s customs bureau has announced a ban on every seafood whose place of origin is Japan from August 24 on. After this news, Japanese-style restaurants in China have taken various measures to assure consumers that their materials are safe and not actually from Japan or that the Japanese ones have already been replaced. Some said their businesses have gone on as usual, while others claim that customers feel worried and there is obvious reduction in revenues.

One restaurant in Jingan district of Shanghai said...

FDA Issues Proposed Rule To Revise Standard of Identity, Fill of Container For Canned Tuna

On Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule on canned tuna standards. The proposed rule covers the standard identity and standard fill of container for canned tuna, among other issues.

The proposed rule is set to be published in the Federal Register on Friday, August 25. An unpublished PDF of the proposed rule can be found here.

According to the document, the proposed rule regarding canned tuna standards stems from a citizen petition that was submitted by Bumble Bee Foods, StarKist Co. and...