European Bigeye Imports Fall Back ff

The declining catches of Bigeye tuna – (Latin: Thunnus Obesus) also seem to be having their effect on the European Union imports.  After increases in 2004 and 2005, the imports of this large tuna – known for its fatty meat – fell back in 2006 by 1582 M/T. This is equal to a 34% decrease from 4608 M/T to 3026 M/T. However imports stayed above the 2004 level.

The imports of the species were divided between fresh bigeye with a quantity of 113 M/T and frozen bigeye with 2914 M/T during last year.

Spain was the biggest importing nation of the Thunnus Obesus in terms of delivered amount. The country imported 1045 M/T of frozen bigeye from Panama, the biggest exporter of this frozen item in 2006. Bigeye is sold in Spain in the fresh market, as steak or loins, to restaurants. Also part of it goes to the canning industry, and producers of frozen steaks.

Brazil was the major supplier of the volume of chilled fresh bigeye to Spain at the level of 113 M/T, which made it the major exporting nation of fresh bigeye to Europe.



Catch reductions in most oceans on specifically bigeye – which is a slow growing tuna – are also expected to keep imports of bigeye at low levels in the future.