Leading Providers & Market Share in Canned Tuna Industry

Canned Tuna Market Share Analysis Outlook 2025 to 2035

The worldwide canned tuna business is moderately concentrated with domestic processors, green niche players, and international seafood players vying for market share. International industry giants like Thai Union Group, Bumble Bee Foods, and Starkist Co. dominate 45% market share by virtue of their well-established supply chain, extensive distribution channel, and brand name in B2B as well as B2C markets.

Local selling and buying mid-tiers and regionals such as Ocean Brands, Dongwon Industries, and Chicken of the Sea hold 35%. Niche and sustainable majors such as Wild Planet Foods, Maruha Nichiro Corporation, Genova Seafood, and Crown Prince hold 20% with green and premium-conscious consumers.

The market is moderately concentrated as the top five players own about 55% market share. Here, product innovation, sustainability, and private label partnerships are crucial drivers.

Market Share by Key Players

Market Structure	Top Multinationals
Industry Share (%)	45%
Key Companies	Thai Union Group, Bumble Bee Foods, Starkist Co.

Market Structure	Regional Leaders
Industry Share (%)	35%
Key Companies	Chicken of the Sea, Dongwon Industries, Ocean Brands

Market Structure	Sustainable & Niche Brands
Industry Share (%)	20%
Key Companies	Genova Seafood, Crown Prince, Wild Planet Foods, Maruha Nichiro Corporation

The global canned tuna markets are relatively consolidated, with strong seafood processors controlling the markets as sustainable brands and private labels make consumers have more choices.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type

Light Canned Tuna (50%) leads the market due to price sensitivity and wide usage in meals on a day-to-day basis. Thai Union and Starkist Co. have dominance in this category by mass-market distribution within retail stores and bulk sale to foodservice systems. Canned White Tuna (30%) is targeted for health- and value-sensitive customers, for whom Bumble Bee Foods and Genova Seafood are category leaders. Specialty Canned Tuna (20%), flavored and infused, is growing more popular among gourmet food consumers and health-conscious buyers alike, with Wild Planet Foods and Crown Prince offerings at upscale, green levels.

By Form

Chunks (40%) are the most liked because of flexibility in meal preparation and ease, provided predominantly by Bumble Bee, Starkist, and Chicken of the Sea. Solid tuna (30%) is a high-volume category within premium and protein-rich meal use, with dominance by Genova and Crown Prince. Flakes (20%) are favored within salads and fillings for sandwiches, while the Others (10%) category accounts for spread products and ready-to-eat meals of tuna, a new development in convenience food.

By Sales Channel

B2C (75%) is the highest share, supermarkets (40%) being the core retail channel for mass and premium canned tuna products. Convenience stores (15%) lead impulse and small-pack business, with online retail (10%) expanding led by direct consumer sales and online partnerships. B2B/HoReCa (25%) is solid, with bulk producers serving restaurants, hotels, and catering companies, especially in sushi and fast-food businesses.

Who Shaped the Year

2024 saw tremendous action from regional as well as global players in the Canned Tuna market.

• Bumble Bee Foods Introduces High-Protein Tuna Pouches: Bumble Bee launched protein tuna pouches to go, which are marketed for fitness customers and meal prep enthusiasts.
• Thai Union Group Pledges Sustainable Tuna Sourcing: Thai Union committed to 100% responsibly sourced canned tuna by 2025, supporting its SeaChange® sustainability program.
• Starkist Co. Grows Ready-to-Eat Tuna Bowls: Starkist introduced pre-seasoned meal bowls of tuna for convenient and healthy meal choices.
• Chicken of the Sea Increases Traceability with Blockchain Technology: Chicken of the Sea started using blockchain traceability to promote transparent sourcing and food safety adherence.
• Dongwon Industries Gourmet Flavored Tuna: Dongwon introduced Korean-flavored canned tuna in international and Asian markets.
• Ocean Brands Bolsters Private Label Manufacturing: Ocean Brands grew its private label agreements, expanding its North American supermarket penetration.
• Genova Seafood Markets Olive Oil-Packaged Premium Tuna: Genova Seafood entered the high-end gourmet aisle with Mediterranean-inspired canned tuna.
• Crown Prince Creates BPA-Free and Earth-Friendly Packaging: Crown Prince launched environmentally responsible packaging options that meet the consumer demand for "green" options.
• Wild Planet Foods Expands Organic and Pole-Caught Tuna Line: Wild Planet expanded its pole-and-line caught tuna line with a focus on sustainable and responsible sourcing.
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation Boosts Tuna Processing Capacity in Asia: Maruha Nichiro enhanced processing efficiency and capacity in Southeast Asia to ensure supply chain resilience.

Key Highlights from the Forecast

• Sustainable Sourcing Will Be Front And Center in Market Demand: Consumers and retailers demand responsibly caught MSC-certified tuna, and investors are making pole-and-line catching and sustainable supply chains a buzzword.
• High-End and Gourmet Tuna Forms Will Increase: Companies will be targeting premium canned tuna brands, such as olive oil-packed, smoked, and infused, to target premium consumers.
• Regulatory Requirements for Tuna Traceability Will Grow: Electronic tracking technology and blockchain technologies will become a necessity to meet food safety and ethics-based international standards of sourcing.
• Functional and Protein-Fortified Tuna Products Will Increase: Tuna will be marketed as a superfood that is high in protein and omega-3, with fortified and enriched products increasing in popularity.
• Convenience-Driven Packaging of Tuna Will Increase in Popularity: Single-serve pouches, ready-to-eat bowls, and resealable cans will be driving innovation in on-the-go meal solutions.
• E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer Sales Will Intensify: Online platforms will become important for bulk orders, subscription-based tuna products, and private-label sales.
• Growth in Flavored and Spicy Tuna Segments: New regional and fusion flavors such as Asian spices, Mediterranean herbs, and Latin American seasonings will find favor with different consumers.
• Private Label Canned Tuna Expansion Will Threaten Long: Established Brands: Supermarkets and retailers will extend private label canned tuna ranges, mounting pressure on branded makers.
• Growing Demand for BPA-Free and Eco-Friendly Packaging: Eco-friendly, biodegradable, and plastic-free packaging will rule consumer purchase decisions.
• Tuna Snacks and Meal Kits Will Be Growth Segments: Manufacturers will introduce tuna-based snack packs and convenient-to-cook meal kits targeting convenience-driven consumers.

Tier-Wise Company Classification 2025

By Tier Type	Tier 1
Market Share (%)	50%
Example of Key Players	Thai Union Group, Bumble Bee Foods, Starkist Co.

By Tier Type	Tier 2
Market Share (%)	30%
Example of Key Players	Chicken of the Sea, Dongwon Industries, Ocean Brands

By Tier Type	Tier 3
Market Share (%)	20%
Example of Key Players	Genova Seafood, Crown Prince, Wild Planet Foods, Maruha Nichiro Corporation

Key Company Initiatives

Brand	Key Focus
Thai Union Group	Strengthened sustainability and traceability programs for 100% responsibly sourced tuna.
Bumble Bee Foods	Expanded on-the-go protein-rich tuna pouches, targeting fitness-conscious consumers.
Starkist Co.	Launched ready-to-eat flavored tuna meal bowls to cater to busy professionals and students.
Chicken of the Sea	Introduced blockchain-based sourcing verification to enhance consumer trust and food safety.
Dongwon Industries	Expanded flavored gourmet tuna selections, focusing on Korean and international cuisine.
Ocean Brands	Invested in private label partnerships, strengthening its presence in supermarkets and foodservice.
Genova Seafood	Developed premium olive oil-packed canned tuna, targeting Mediterranean and gourmet food lovers.
Crown Prince	Introduced BPA-free and fully recyclable tuna packaging, aligning with eco-conscious trends.
Wild Planet Foods	Focused on pole-and-line caught tuna and expanded organic canned seafood offerings.
Maruha Nichiro Corporation	Increased processing capacity in Southeast Asia, ensuring a steady and reliable tuna supply.

Recommendations for Brands

• Deepen Sustains Commitments to Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: Customers are opting for responsibly caught tuna. Brands must highlight pole-and-line caught, MSC-certified, and traceable supply chains to build confidence.
• Expand Gourmet and High-Quality Canned Tuna Lines: Introducing higher-end tuna in extra virgin olive oil, truffle-based, or spiced with imported exotic spices will appeal to upscale buyers.
• Innovate in Ready-to-Eat and On-the-Go Packaging: Creating single-serve tuna pouches, resealable cans, and pre-mixed meal bowls will appeal to busy professionals and health-conscious consumers.
• Optimize Direct-to-Consumer and Subscription-Based Sales: E-commerce websites should provide bulk canned tuna packs, meal subscription services, and online-only flavors to boost sales.
• Boost Emphasis on Functional and High-Protein Formulations: Tuna can be positioned as a high-protein, low-carb, omega-3-loaded superfood that appeals to athletes, fitness aficionados, and ketogenic diet consumers.
• Diversify with Uniquely Differentiated Flavor Developments: Brands can develop regional-inspired flavors, spicy tuna formats, and fusion seasonings for millennials and younger consumers.
• Establish Private Label and Supermarket Relationships: Supermarkets are increasing store-brand tuna offerings. Manufacturers must sign private label deals to stay competitive.

Future Roadmap

High-quality olive oil-filled, smoked, and aged tuna will become popular, particularly in Europe and North America, where high-end seafood consumers are ready to pay premium prices for excellence. Genova Seafood and Crown Prince brands are spearheading this trend by providing artisanal and specialty-packaged tuna.

Demand for portable tuna pouches, meal bowls, and single-serve snack packs will increase, serving busy and health-aware consumers. Bumble Bee Foods and Starkist Co. already are growing protein-fortified tuna snacks for lifestyle and fitness consumers.

Regulatory bodies and consumers will encourage 100% traceable, MSC-certified, pole-and-line caught tuna, ensuring that sustainability becomes an industry standard requirement. Thai Union Group and Wild Planet Foods will lead this change.

Brands will expand online grocery and direct sales platforms, providing personalized subscription-based canned tuna deliveries. Ocean Brands and Maruha Nichiro Corporation are setting themselves up for digital and online grocery retail expansion.

Smart-label QR tracking, next-generation resealable cans, and BPA-free pouches will be the wave of the canned seafood market. Chicken of the Sea and Dongwon Industries are emphasizing biodegradable and recyclable packaging to address growing sustainability demands.

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary
2. Market Overview
3. Key Growth Drivers
4. Company Performance
5. Market Concentration
6. Segmented Analysis
7. Who Shaped the Year
8. Key Highlights from the Forecast
9. Tier-Wise Company Classification
10. Key Company Initiatives
11. Recommendations for Brands
12. Future Roadmap