2006 was a good year for the Philippine tuna industry in regard to the exports to the Swedish canned tuna market. Philippines increased their market share of canned tuna in brine from 19% to 25% in 2006. The Asian country supplied 47% more cartons of the product and reached the level of 119.212 cartons of 48 x 185g net. Despite this high rise Philippines still took second position, but it definitely strengthened its position in comparison to the previous years.
Generally the Swedish balance of canned tuna in brine in terms of quantity was positive with a 14% growth in 2006, from 417.905 to 477.477 cartons. Philippines were the biggest beneficiary of this market growth.
Interestingly enough at the same time Papua New Guinea was the biggest looser on this market; its share shrank from 13% to 4% or from 56.002 cartons of canned tuna in brine to 20.439. The only PNG cannery exporting to the EU is owned by a Philippine mother company, which also owns a cannery in the Philippines. PNG has 0% duty – while Philippines have normally 24% duty, and a quota at 12 % duty.
Nevertheless PNG volumes declined and Philippines expanded. PNG was not the only ACP nation, which lost on the Swedish tuna in brine market, also Ecuador and Indonesia saw their share declining.
Thailand remained the most important exporting nation with 63% share, which was equal to the previous year.
In Sweden, consumption of canned tuna is at the level of 0.6 kg per capita what is equaled three canned tuna of 185g.
