Canned tuna, + 33% of consumption during lockdown

Canned tuna continues to be one of the most popular food products among consumers with one in two Italians consuming more in the last year, during the months of lockdown it was the protagonist of spending with + 33% consumption.

Among the reasons for the preference are the long shelf life and ease of storage, accessibility, nutritional values ​​like fresh fish and ease of receiving.

This was announced by the National Association of Fish and Tuna Conservers (Ancit) which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The economic analysis records that in Italy, in 2020 canned tuna recorded a market value of over 1.40 billion euros (+ 6% compared to 2019) with a national production of over 80,300 tons (+8.21 %) while consumption reached 160,191 tons (+ 4.7%), about 2.67 kg per capita. Over the same period, exports marked a positive step: exports reached 30,500 tons (+ 18.6%), confirming the growing interest in the product abroad, both from EU countries (Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Czech Republic) and from third countries, primarily Canada, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Imports stood at 98,537 tons (+ 4.15%). As for the fish canning sector which, in addition to canned tuna, also includes other preserves, such as mackerel,anchovies, sardines. Ancit estimates a 2020 turnover of approximately 405 million, for a total value of all canned fish of over 1 billion and 810 million. (HANDLE).