By Atuna.com
Despite higher tuna prices, Germany’s canned tuna imports – which account for nearly all of the country’s tuna imports – jumped 15% last year from 2010 to reach a three-year record high of 60,015 tons. Philippines had been the leading exporter to Germany for many years, but Ecuador has since taken over that position.
In 2011, Ecuador gained significant ground in the growing German tuna market, rallying from the middle of the pack in 2010 to become the top exporter with a quarter share of the market. Last year, the South American country boosted its deliveries by 107% to ship 15,149 tons of canned tuna, surpassing the imports from both Philippines and Papua New Guinea.
Ecuador has the second largest fleet in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and it catches the majority of the region’s skipjack (62%). It’s also one of the world’s largest processors of canned tuna, next to Thailand and Spain, producing more than 500 tons daily. It sends the majority (60%) of its canned tuna products to Europe, where it has duty free market access.
The Philippines, which also has a significant domestic fleet, also continues to be a major player in the German market, but its position is shrinking. In 2011, it shipped about 10% less for a total volume of 15,074 tons compared to 2010. While it controlled a relatively equal 25% share of the market with Ecuador last year, it previously accounted for 32% of Germany’s canned tuna imports. This decline could be caused by the disadvantage in duty that Philippines has compared to Ecuador. Canned tuna from Ecuador is duty free while Philippines has a 20.5% or 24% tariff.
Still, Philippines remains strong in the German food service sector, with most of the canned imports being in the 60.5 oz can size.
In that sense, the expansion of Indonesia and Vietnam (also with 24% duty) are remarkable. Compared to 2010, Vietnam’s canned tuna exports to Germany grew by 62% to 5,379 tons, while Indonesia’s climbed by 23% for a total of 8,027 tons.
Germany is also importing less duty free canned tuna from Papua New Guinea. Last year, the canned tuna volume from Papua New Guinea – which has duty free market access – declined by 22% to reach 8,300 tons. As a result, the country lost 6% in market share in 2011.
