Australia Canned Tuna Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Type, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2026-2034

Australia Canned Tuna Market Summary:

The Australia canned tuna market size reached USD 516.03 Million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 701.78 Million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.48% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by growing consumer demand for sustainable and MSC-certified seafood products, the expansion of online grocery shopping and e-commerce channels, and increasing health and wellness consciousness, driving protein-rich seafood consumption. Additionally, major retailers' commitments to sustainability standards and the introduction of premium Australian-caught tuna products are expanding the Australia canned tuna market share.

Australia Canned Tuna Market Outlook (2026-2034):

The Australia canned tuna market is poised for steady growth, driven by accelerating consumer preference for sustainably sourced seafood products with credible third-party certifications. Major retailers' strategic investments in MSC-certified supply chains and the emergence of premium Australian-caught tuna brands are expected to strengthen market positioning. The expansion of online grocery delivery infrastructure, coupled with growing health awareness around omega-3-rich proteins and convenient meal solutions, will further support market development throughout the forecast period.

Market Dynamics:

Key Market Trends & Growth Drivers:

Growing Consumer Demand for Sustainable and MSC-Certified Seafood Products

Australian consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability credentials when purchasing seafood, creating substantial momentum for Marine Stewardship Council certified canned tuna products. This shift reflects heightened environmental awareness and consumer desire for transparent, traceable supply chains that protect marine ecosystems. In May 2024, Coles announced that all its own-brand canned tuna products would carry the Marine Stewardship Council blue fish tick label starting September 2024, making it the first Australian supermarket to achieve MSC certification across its entire canned tuna range. More than 45 Coles own-brand canned tuna products, including Coles Tuna Chunks, Pacific brand Yellowfin Tuna, and Wild Tides, now feature the MSC label. According to the MSC, Australian seafood shoppers spent almost 400 million dollars on over 365 MSC certified sustainable seafood products in the past year, with the volume of MSC certified seafood sold in Australia tripling over the last ten years. Major supermarket chains recognize that offering third-party verified sustainable options strengthens consumer trust and differentiates their product portfolios in an increasingly competitive marketplace, driving continued investment in responsible sourcing initiatives across the sector.

Expansion of Online Grocery Shopping and E-Commerce Channels

Digital transformation is reshaping how Australians purchase canned tuna and other grocery staples, with e-commerce platforms experiencing rapid adoption across demographic segments. The convenience of doorstep delivery, ability to compare prices easily, and time-saving benefits of online shopping are fundamentally altering consumer purchasing behaviors. The Australia canned tuna market growth benefits significantly from this channel expansion, as canned goods represent ideal products for online retail given their shelf stability and standardized packaging. In September 2024, Coles launched its first Customer Fulfilment Centre in Truganina, Victoria, a $400 million investment capable of handling 10,000 online shopping orders daily, marking a significant transformation in online grocery shopping infrastructure. The rise in smartphone penetration, with 85 percent of Australians owning smartphones, has facilitated easy access to grocery apps and mobile shopping platforms. Subscription services and personalized online promotions are further enhancing customer engagement, while improved logistics infrastructure ensures reliable delivery times, collectively driving sustained growth in online canned tuna sales.

Health and Wellness Consciousness Driving Protein-Rich Seafood Consumption

Heightened focus on nutrition and wellness is propelling demand for canned tuna as consumers seek convenient, affordable sources of high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Health-conscious Australians increasingly view canned tuna as an essential pantry staple that supports active lifestyles while delivering significant nutritional benefits including heart health support and muscle maintenance. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey conducted from January 2023 to March 2024, Australians are becoming increasingly health-conscious and seeking protein-rich food options, with the survey referencing canned tuna as a nutritional benchmark when measuring dietary changes. In Australia, the consumption of tuna exceeds the combined consumption of all other fish types, demonstrating strong consumer preference for tuna products. Industry reports indicate that health-conscious consumers prefer canned light tuna, commonly made from skipjack or yellowfin, due to its lower calorie content and higher protein concentration compared to other protein sources. This wellness trend is particularly pronounced among millennials and fitness-oriented consumers who prioritize functional foods that align with dietary goals, supporting sustained demand across multiple consumer segments.

Key Market Challenges:

Cost of Living Pressures and Food Inflation Impacting Consumer Purchasing Power

Persistent inflationary pressures throughout 2024 and into 2025 have significantly constrained household budgets, affecting purchasing decisions across food categories, including canned tuna. Australian consumers face elevated costs for housing, utilities, and groceries, with food inflation remaining elevated around three percent annually for the past six quarters, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. While canned tuna remains relatively affordable compared to fresh seafood alternatives, price sensitivity has intensified as families seek to maximize value from grocery expenditures. The Consumer Price Index data shows that food and non-alcoholic beverages have been major contributors to living cost increases, with meals out and takeaway rising 3.3 percent annually. This economic environment pressures retailers and manufacturers to balance maintaining product quality and sustainability commitments against competitive pricing strategies. Premium and sustainably-certified products may face adoption challenges among budget-conscious consumers despite their environmental benefits, potentially limiting market penetration for higher-priced SKUs.

Limited Domestic Processing Infrastructure and Reliance on Imported Canned Tuna

Australia's canned tuna market confronts structural challenges stemming from the absence of large-scale domestic canning infrastructure, having sold off much of its onshore processing capacity over 20 years ago. This forces Australian tuna fisheries to export their catch for processing in facilities located primarily in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, even when the final products are marketed as Australian-caught tuna. The lack of MSC-certified domestic processing facilities means that companies committed to sustainability standards must rely on offshore partners, creating additional logistics complexity, carbon footprint concerns, and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Small-scale domestic producers like Little Tuna and Walker Seafoods have invested in building premium Australian tuna brands, but scaling these operations remains challenging without adequate local infrastructure investment. This situation also means that despite strong domestic tuna fisheries, most of the canned tuna consumed in Australia, 336 million cans annually according to industry estimates, contains imported fish rather than locally-caught product, representing a missed opportunity for value addition and economic development within Australia's seafood sector.

Intensifying Market Competition Among Major Retailers and Sustainability Standards

The Australian canned tuna market operates within a highly competitive retail landscape dominated by major supermarket chains including Woolworths, Coles, and ALDI, alongside established international brands such as John West, Greenseas, and Sirena. Competition has intensified significantly around sustainability credentials, with retailers racing to secure MSC certifications and promote ethical sourcing practices as key differentiators. This competitive dynamic creates pressure for smaller players and new entrants to match the sustainability investments and supply chain capabilities of larger competitors, potentially raising barriers to entry. Private label expansion by major retailers also competes directly with branded products, applying margin pressure across the category. Furthermore, evolving consumer expectations around transparency and traceability require continuous investment in certification programs, supply chain documentation, and marketing communications. The emergence of specialty and premium segments featuring Australian-caught tuna creates additional competitive complexity, as brands compete not only on price but also on provenance, quality attributes, and environmental stewardship, demanding sophisticated positioning strategies to maintain market share in an increasingly fragmented marketplace.

Australia Canned Tuna Market Report Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the Australia canned tuna market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. The market has been categorized based on product type and distribution channel.

Analysis by Product Type:

• Skipjack
• Yellowfin
• Bigeye
• Albacore
• Bluefin
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, bluefin, and others.

Analysis by Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Business-to-Business
• Convenience Stores
• Specialty Stores
• Online
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets/hypermarkets, business-to-business, convenience stores, specialty stores, online, and others.

Analysis by Region:

• Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales
• Victoria & Tasmania
• Queensland
• Northern Territory & Southern Australia
• Western Australia

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory & Southern Australia, and Western Australia.

Competitive Landscape:

The Australia canned tuna market features intense competition among major supermarket retailers, established international brands, and emerging premium local producers. Market concentration is significant, with Woolworths and Coles dominating retail distribution channels through extensive store networks and growing private label portfolios. International brands including John West, Greenseas, Sirena, and Safcol maintain strong brand recognition built over decades, competing on product variety, quality consistency, and pricing strategies. Emerging Australian brands like Walker Seafoods and Little Tuna are carving premium niches by emphasizing local provenance, MSC certification, and artisanal production methods, appealing to consumers willing to pay premium prices for domestically-caught, sustainably-sourced products with transparent supply chains and superior taste profiles.

Australia Canned Tuna Industry Latest Developments:

• August 2024: Tuna Australia member Walker Seafoods Australia partnered with renowned chef Neil Perry to launch a new product line of preserved local tuna for sale in Australian supermarkets. Walker's Tuna features sustainable Marine Stewardship Council certified preserved Albacore tuna caught in pristine waters off Mooloolaba and preserved in Australian first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting sustainable seafood practices in Australia, with products now available at Woolworths and Harris Farm Markets. Heidi Walker from Walker Seafoods Australia received the MSC Sustainable Fishing Hero award in 2025 for her leadership in sustainable tuna fishing.
• January 2025: Coles Pacific launched a new line of canned wild-caught Australian tuna, expanding the availability of MSC-certified Australian tuna products in major supermarkets. This product launch is part of Coles' broader commitment to sustainable seafood, following the company's announcement in May 2024 that all Coles own-brand canned tuna would carry the MSC blue fish tick label. The Coles Pacific range offers yellowfin tuna in different flavours and formats, providing Australian consumers with more locally-sourced, sustainably-certified options in the canned tuna aisle.

Australia Canned Tuna Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Australia canned tuna market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Australia canned tuna market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the Australia canned tuna market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the Australia canned tuna market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Australia canned tuna market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Australia canned tuna market?
• What is the structure of the Australia canned tuna market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Australia canned tuna market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Australia canned tuna market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Australia canned tuna market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Australia canned tuna industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.