Global Canned Tuna and Sardines Market Outlook, 2030

The global canned tuna and sardines sector forms an intricate seafood processing ecosystem, merging modern harvesting methods, highly precise manufacturing operations, and advanced preservation strategies to produce durable protein products suitable for retail, foodservice, and institutional usage worldwide. Functioning at the crossroads of marine resource stewardship, food technology advancements, and nutritional value enhancement, this industry delivers ready-to-eat seafood options that meet contemporary dietary demands for high-quality protein, rich omega-3 fatty acids, and prolonged shelf stability. Core technological elements include modern fishing practices, automated handling systems, precision-controlled canning lines, and sterilization techniques, enabling the production of canned seafood that retains its nutritional value and sensory appeal over extended periods without refrigeration. Modern facilities incorporate sophisticated fish handling innovations, automated cutting technologies, high-efficiency filling systems, and stringent quality assurance mechanisms, strengthening food safety standards, nutritional consistency, and uniform product characteristics. The development of new packaging formats, enhanced traceability mechanisms, and advanced preservation mediums has broadened the range of products available, allowing manufacturers to offer greater variety while maintaining fundamental food safety and longevity across diverse sales channels and storage conditions. Processing advancements continue to drive the sector forward, with manufacturers refining cooking procedures, optimizing oxygen control, and introducing specialized oil infusions, all of which boost flavor profiles and expand the culinary versatility of preserved seafood products to meet varied consumer tastes globally.

According to the research report, “Global Canned Tuna and Sardines Market Outlook, 2031” published by Bonafide Research, the Global Canned Tuna and Sardines market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2031 . The canned tuna and sardines market today embodies considerable technological advancement, having evolved far beyond simple preservation techniques to complex, multi-stage production frameworks integrating rigorous safety protocols and comprehensive quality assurance processes. Present-day canned seafood manufacturing employs cutting-edge tools such as advanced thermal processors, modified atmosphere systems, precision seaming machinery, and metal detectors, collectively delivering superior product integrity, extended shelf life, and exceptional sensory qualities. Regional differences remain notable, with varied consumer preferences, production styles, and eating habits shaping distinct market dynamics across global territories. Digital technologies have significantly transformed operations, enabling real-time monitoring, extensive product traceability, and automated quality checks from ocean harvest through final distribution. Sustainability concerns heavily influence market trends, with responsible fishing certifications, transparent sourcing policies, and supply chain audits driving initiatives to enhance resource preservation, reduce bycatch, and minimize environmental footprints. Innovation remains a key growth driver, with developments like retort pouches, seasoned specialty products, and new meal-ready seafood preparations expanding the range of consumption occasions and redefining the traditional image of preserved fish. Continued shifts toward protein-rich diets, heightened nutritional awareness, and preferences for convenient, long-life foods are reinforcing demand, positioning canned tuna and sardines as vital players within modern, health-conscious food systems.

Market Dynamics
Market Drivers

Protein Convenience Demand Growing consumer preference for ready-to-eat protein sources that combine nutritional density with extended shelf stability creates substantial demand for high-quality canned seafood products across diverse retail channels and consumption occasions.
Health-Conscious Consumption Increasing awareness of omega-3 fatty acid benefits, lean protein importance, and micronutrient content drives adoption of canned fish varieties that deliver these nutritional advantages in convenient, accessible formats with minimal preparation requirements.

Market Challenges



Raw Material Sustainability Mounting concerns regarding ocean resource management, fishing method impacts, and species conservation status create production constraints, certification requirements, and consumer scrutiny that collectively influence sourcing strategies and product positioning.
Price Sensitivity Pressures Significant competition within protein categories combined with raw material cost fluctuations creates margin compression challenges that complicate pricing strategies while potentially limiting innovation investment across product development and marketing initiatives.

Market Trends

Premium Segment Expansion Accelerating development of upscale canned seafood variants featuring enhanced ingredient quality, specialized preparation methods, and distinctive packaging that collectively reposition traditional canned fish within higher-value gourmet and specialty food categories.
Sustainability Certification Integration Growing prominence of third-party sustainability verifications, transparent supply chain documentation, and responsible sourcing claims that respond to increasing consumer interest in environmental impact and fishery management practices across seafood consumption decisions.

Segmentation Analysis

Canned tuna holds a dominant position within the preserved seafood market, distinguished by its adaptability, strong consumer recognition, and robust nutritional benefits, making it a fundamental protein source across global demographics.

This versatile category includes a wide spectrum of preparation options such as water-packed, oil-packed, and various seasoned versions tailored to accommodate a range of culinary styles, dietary goals, and flavor preferences. Its nutrition profile offers compelling value, delivering approximately 20-25 grams of high-quality protein per serving, low saturated fat particularly in water-based formats, and notable quantities of essential nutrients like vitamin D and selenium, supporting health objectives such as cardiovascular wellness and weight control. Prominent industry players such as Thai Union Group brands like Chicken of the Sea and John West, Bolton Group owners of Rio Mare and Saupiquet, Bumble Bee Foods, and StarKist offer expansive product portfolios that span cost-effective selections for budget shoppers and premium options featuring hand-cut filets, gourmet olive oil blends, and exotic flavor infusions crafted for culinary enthusiasts. The category’s remarkable versatility allows for wide-ranging applications, from quick sandwich fillings and salad toppers to key ingredients in Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes. Processing facilities maintain rigorous standards, implementing HACCP plans, advanced metal detection, and automated visual inspections to ensure consistent product quality and food safety. Canned tuna continues to evolve through innovation, with newer offerings like convenient pouch packaging, flavor-forward variants, and sustainably sourced options meeting the shifting demands of modern consumers focused on ethical consumption and culinary variety.

Oil-packed seafood products occupy an important role within the canned seafood market, offering enhanced flavor richness, superior texture preservation, and distinctive culinary advantages, especially in sardine products.

This preservation technique employs carefully selected vegetable oils such as olive, sunflower, and soybean to create a protective medium that not only safeguards the fish's moisture content but also enriches its flavor profile. The use of premium olive oil, in particular, introduces beneficial monounsaturated fats, aligning with health-conscious consumer preferences. From a food science perspective, oil immersion during thermal processing prevents protein dehydration and facilitates the solubilization of flavor compounds, resulting in a product with superior taste and aromatic complexity compared to water-packed alternatives. Esteemed producers like Conservas Ortiz, Matiz España, King Oscar, and Bela-Olhão have refined oil-packing methodologies, incorporating precise oil blends, controlled filling temperatures, and meticulous headspace management to ensure product quality and shelf stability. Culinarily, oil-packed canned seafood exhibits remarkable versatility. It serves as a ready-to-eat option for appetizers and salads and as a flavorful ingredient in Mediterranean pasta dishes, composed salads, and traditional tapas, where the infused oil contributes to the overall dish. Innovations in this segment have led to the incorporation of botanical infusions, citrus elements, and aromatic spices into the oil medium, creating unique flavor profiles that cater to diverse consumer palates. The market has witnessed a surge in demand for gourmet and artisanal canned seafood, driven by consumers seeking high-quality, convenient, and nutritious options. This trend has prompted manufacturers to explore new flavor combinations and sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring that oil-packed canned seafood remains a staple in both traditional and contemporary culinary applications

Retail distribution channels are integral to the dissemination of canned seafood products, encompassing a spectrum from traditional supermarkets and hypermarkets to specialty food retailers and burgeoning e-commerce platforms.

This multifaceted distribution network employs advanced category management strategies, strategic shelf placements, and targeted promotional activities to optimize product visibility and consumer engagement across various retail formats. The retail landscape showcases significant diversity, with mass merchandisers focusing on value-oriented multipacks and promotional pricing, while specialty retailers highlight premium imported varieties with distinctive provenance and artisanal credentials. Leading retail entities such as Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco, and Ahold Delhaize have developed comprehensive seafood merchandising strategies that balance everyday value offerings with premium and sustainability-certified options, reflecting evolving consumer priorities regarding environmental considerations and ingredient quality. Contemporary retail environments have embraced sophisticated product segmentation, educational signage emphasizing nutritional benefits, and cross-merchandising techniques that pair canned seafood with complementary ingredients, thereby simplifying meal planning and enhancing overall basket size. The integration of digital technologies has further refined retail distribution, with advanced inventory management systems, automated replenishment programs, and sophisticated consumer analytics enabling precisely targeted promotional activities aligned with specific consumption occasions. The rise of e-commerce has transformed the retail distribution landscape, offering consumers convenient access to a wide array of canned seafood products. Online platforms facilitate detailed product information, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations, enhancing the shopping experience and expanding the reach of canned seafood products to a broader audience. In summary, retail distribution channels play a pivotal role in the canned seafood market, adapting to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements to deliver diverse, high-quality products that meet the demands of modern consumers.

Regional Analysis

Europe holds a distinguished position in the global canned tuna and sardines market, characterized by a rich culinary heritage, discerning consumer preferences, and a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France have long-standing traditions of incorporating preserved fish into their diets, elevating canned seafood from a pantry staple to a gourmet delicacy through specialized preparation methods and regional recipes. The manufacturing landscape in Europe is marked by a diverse array of specialized production facilities, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, where traditional processing techniques, regional olive oil varieties, and unique packaging formats contribute to distinctive national and regional product identities. These products often carry strong cultural associations, reflecting the deep-rooted significance of canned seafood in European culinary traditions. Consumption patterns across Europe exhibit considerable diversity, ranging from everyday use in household meal preparation to premium offerings featured in tapas presentations, gourmet gift assortments, and sophisticated entertaining occasions. The retail environment mirrors this diversity, with clearly defined quality tiers spanning basic private label offerings, mid-market branded products, and super-premium imported specialties marketed with specific fishing methods, harvest locations, and artisanal processing credentials. Sustainability has become an increasingly important factor in the European canned seafood market. Consumers are more engaged with transparent certification programs, detailed packaging information regarding fishing methods, and retailer commitments to responsible sourcing. These factors collectively elevate environmental considerations as significant purchase determinants across multiple consumer segments.

Key Developments

• In August 2023, Thai Union Group introduced an advanced traceable tuna line featuring blockchain-verified fishing data accessible through QR code technology for sustainability-focused consumers.
• In December 2023, Bolton Group (Rio Mare) launched a premium olive oil-packed tuna range featuring single-origin Mediterranean ingredients and plastic-free packaging.
• In March 2024, Bumble Bee Foods expanded its product portfolio with a new line of flavored tuna pouches targeting younger consumers with global-inspired seasonings.
• In May 2024, King Oscar released an innovative sardine snack kit format combining premium fish with complementary crackers and specialized spreads for on-the-go consumption.

Considered in this report
* Historic year: 2019
* Base year: 2024
* Estimated year: 2025
* Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
* Canned Tuna and Sardines Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
* Country-wise Canned Tuna and Sardines Market analysis
* Various drivers and challenges
* On-going trends and developments
* Top profiled companies
* Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Canned Tuna
• Canned Sardines
• Canned Mackerel
• Canned Anchovies
• Canned Herring

By Preservation Medium
• Oil-Packed
• Water-Packed
• Brine-Packed
• Sauce-Packed
• Specialty Infusions

By Distribution Channel
• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Food Retailers
• E-commerce Platforms
• Foodservice Distribution

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to food industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.