Why Thailand still owns the canned tuna trade
Thailand exports roughly $2.3B of canned tuna annually and is home to the world's largest processor (Thai Union / Chicken of the Sea / John West). Samut Sakhon and Songkhla clusters can co-pack any private label with 30–45 day lead times, and most lines are BRC / IFS / MSC / dolphin-safe certified out of the gate.
The pack styles you will be quoted
| Style | Typical FOB Bangkok |
|---|---|
| Skipjack chunk in water, 185g x 48 | 8.50–$21.00 / carton |
| Skipjack chunk in oil, 185g x 48 | 9.50–$22.50 |
| Yellowfin solid in olive oil, 142g x 24 | $22.00–$26.00 |
| Albacore solid white in water, 142g x 24 | $34.00–$40.00 |
| Pouch 85g (light meat, water) | $0.42–$0.55 / pouch |
Prices track WCPO skipjack raw material — ask for a raw-tuna-indexed contract if you commit to 6+ months of volume.
MOQ reality check
- Private label: typically 1 x 40'HC per SKU (~2,100 cartons of 48 x 185g).
- Existing brand co-pack: 500 cartons possible with a surcharge.
- Artwork: 4-color offset lithography on tinplate, plate cost $600–,200 amortized.
Certifications your retailer will demand
- MSC Chain of Custody — Walmart, Whole Foods, Sainsbury, Tesco, Aldi all mandate it.
- Dolphin-safe (EII) — USA table stakes.
- BRC v9 or IFS v8 — European grocery.
- Halal (CICOT) — Middle East + Malaysia.
- BAP / FOS — food service.
Landed cost — 1 x 40'HC to Rotterdam
- 2,100 cartons skipjack in water @ 9.50 = $40,950
- Ocean freight Laem Chabang → Rotterdam: $3,200
- EU duty 24% on 1604.14: 0,596
- Broker + port + drayage: $850
- Landed: ~$55,600 → $0.55 / can before margin
The 24% MFN duty is the single biggest lever — USA importers benefit more (6–12.5% depending on pack).
What separates a good co-packer from a great one
- Metal detection + X-ray on every line (not just spot check).
- Histamine testing per lot (yellowfin especially).
- Traceability to vessel + trip (MSC requires it anyway).
- In-house tinplate printing — faster artwork changes.
FAQ
Can I get MSC-certified skipjack from Thailand?
Yes. PNA-sourced free-school skipjack is available; premium is roughly $80–
20/MT over FAD-caught.What's the smallest realistic first order?
1 x 20'FCL of a single SKU (~1,000 cartons) for an established co-pack recipe; 1 x 40'HC per SKU for fully custom private label.
Do I need FDA registration for USA import?
Yes — both the processor and you as the US importer via FSVP. LACF filing is required.
How volatile is tuna pricing?
Very. Skipjack raw material has moved 25–40% inside 12 months historically.
Need a vetted co-packer shortlist with MSC + BRC + your target retailer approvals? Talk to TUSKO.