October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Entry 875Filed under Breeding

How Much Is Tuna Fish Worth? Prices by Market and Species

NOAA’s 2024 Pacific bluefin landings imply about $5.67 per landed pound at the ex-vessel stage. That is a commercial benchmark, not a retail price; tuna’s value depends on species, product form, quality and market.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Tuna has no single price: its worth depends on the species, condition, weight basis, location, date and whether it is being sold at landing, to a wholesaler or to a consumer. For a concrete U.S. benchmark, NOAA’s reported 2024 Pacific bluefin landings imply an average of about $5.67 per landed pound at the commercial landing stage—not a grocery-store or sushi-counter price.

What does “tuna fish worth” mean?

The number changes with the point in the supply chain. A fisherman’s landing value, an international export total and a store price describe different transactions and cannot be compared as if they were prices for the same product.

  • Ex-vessel or landing value: what harvesters receive when fish are landed and sold. It is not the price paid by a shopper.
  • Wholesale or fresh premium value: prices for fish sold into fresh markets, including sushi and sashimi channels, depend on species and quality.
  • Processed-product value: tuna destined for processing is a different market from premium fresh fish. A can’s retail price does not indicate what a whole tuna is worth.
  • International trade value: a total for exports across products and countries, not a per-fish or per-pound price.

A documented U.S. commercial benchmark

Pacific bluefin landings in 2024

NOAA Fisheries reports that U.S. commercial Pacific bluefin landings in 2024 totaled 300,000 pounds and were valued at $1.7 million. Dividing the reported total value by total landed weight gives an approximate average of $5.67 per landed pound. This is a derived ex-vessel average from aggregate figures, not a quoted NOAA retail price or a valuation for every fish. NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific bluefin data reports the landings and value.

Atlantic bluefin ex-vessel prices

A separate NOAA report charts Atlantic bluefin average ex-vessel prices per pound of dressed weight for January through June 2024. The labelled monthly values were:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
StarKist Pantry Storage Pack, Chunk Light Tuna in Water (5oz Cans, 8-count)
  • MILD FLAVOR: Enjoy wild caught, dolphin safe chunk light tuna packed with a naturally mild flavor that lets your favorite seasonings shine. Our canned tuna in water is great for sandwiches, salads or high protein seafood meals
  • LEAN PROTEIN SNACK: Each 5 oz can is a natural source of Omega 3s and delivers 20g protein and 90 calories, making this tuna fish can perfect for Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Paleo and Keto diets and are gluten free and soy free
  • QUALITY TUNA: Our tuna fish canned in water is a dependable pantry staple, delivering consistent taste and performance for quick meals and classic tuna recipes
  • VERSATILE: Our tuna in water can makes quick meals effortless. Also available in 25% less sodium and in oil, our tuna can is great for topping fresh salads, fueling protein‑packed rice bowls or grabbing a wholesome seafood snack
  • VALUE PACK OF 8: Stock your pantry with this 8 pack of tuna cans for a wholesome addition to meals and snacks. These tuna cans are easy to store and great to have handy for when hunger strikes at the office or at home
Month in 2024 Average ex-vessel price per pound of dressed weight
January $6.32
February $7.90
March $8.28
April $7.34
May $7.15
June $7.11

These are historical Atlantic bluefin values on a dressed-weight basis, not Pacific bluefin prices or consumer prices. The figures come from NOAA’s 2024 Atlantic highly migratory species economic report.

Why species and product form matter

“Tuna” covers species used in different markets. FAO identifies bluefin and bigeye as tuna typically used for sushi and sashimi, while skipjack, albacore and yellowfin are typically used as raw material for processed products. That distinction helps explain why a price for a premium fresh fish cannot be applied to canned tuna—or vice versa. See the FAO tuna market overview.

Rank #2
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz (Pack of 24)
  • WILD CAUGHT TUNA IN WATER: Premium canned fish with a light, flaky texture and bolder flavor is delicious in classic tuna melts, baked into casseroles, mixed into tuna salad, or as a high-protein sandwich or salad ingredient.
  • THE ORIGINAL AFFORDABLE SUPERFOOD: Excellent source of lean protein (23g per can), DHA & EPA Omega-3s (220mg per can), and vitamin B12. Case contains 24 five ounce cans.
  • CLEAN INGREDIENTS: Non GMO Project Certified, Gluten Free, Kosher Pareve, and great for those on a low carb or ketogenic (keto) diet.
  • CONVENIENT SHELF STABLE FOOD: Perfect for stocking your pantry at home or bringing on the go as a high-protein option while traveling, camping, or on the job.
  • SUSTAINABLE TUNA: MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood, Wild Caught, and Dolphin Safe - submit the code on the can on our Trace My Catch website to learn where and how your seafood was caught, processed, and more. Canned in the USA and packaged in recyclable packaging.

Weight basis matters too. A whole, live, dressed or filleted fish does not have the same saleable weight. A price per pound is only meaningful when the product form and basis match.

What if you mean a store price or the value of a particular fish?

There is no supported current nationwide U.S. retail range here, so a single dollar-per-pound answer would be misleading. For a store comparison, compare the same species and cut, fresh or frozen status, grade and local market, using the price per pound. Canned tuna is a separate processed product category.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Chicken of the Sea Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna, 5 Ounce Cans, 10-Count – High Protein 100% Classic Chunk Tuna in Water – Delicious, Easy, Nutritious Ready to Eat Meals
  • DELICIOUS, CLASSIC TUNA: A true all-American classic, Chicken of the Sea tuna in water is perfectly seasoned with salt and packed in water for the freshest, best taste
  • HIGH IN PROTEIN: The perfect high protein tuna for your active, healthy lifestyle; these non-GMO tuna cans feature heart-healthy omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals; with 23 grams of lean protein, it’s perfect for keto, paleo, and Mediterranean diets
  • VERSATILE FLAVOR: Our wild caught, water-packed chunk light canned tuna in water is right at home in any recipe; add the canned fish to your favorite sandwich, wrap, rice bowl, pasta, salad, melt, dip, and beyond
  • WILD CAUGHT: We’re doing our part to keep our seas healthy; our classic tuna salad cans contain only Marine Stewardship Council certified, 100% wild tuna; this 10-pack of tuna fish lets you stock up and save on delicious meals
  • THE ONE FOR ME: Chicken of the Sea has been in business since 1914, providing wild caught tuna overflowing with flavor and packed with protein; our SeaChange sustainability plan has solutions for both people & the planet to support a better future for all

To estimate what a specific fish might bring, identify:

  • Species, confirmed where possible;
  • Weight basis and measured weight (whole, live, dressed or fillet);
  • Freshness, condition and quality or grade;
  • Catch origin and any relevant provenance information;
  • Likely buyer and sale channel; and
  • Local comparable prices for the same product and date.

Without those details and a current local buyer or comparable listing, a general tuna figure cannot reliably establish the value of an individual fish.

Rank #4
StarKist Pantry Storage Pack, Chunk Light Tuna in Water(5oz Cans, 48-count)
  • MILD FLAVOR: Enjoy wild caught, dolphin safe chunk light tuna packed with a naturally mild flavor that lets your favorite seasonings shine. Our canned tuna in water is great for sandwiches, salads or high protein seafood meals
  • LEAN PROTEIN SNACK: Each 5 oz can is a natural source of Omega 3s and delivers 20g protein and 90 calories, making this tuna fish can perfect for Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Paleo and Keto diets and are gluten free and soy free
  • QUALITY TUNA: Our tuna fish canned in water is a dependable pantry staple, delivering consistent taste and performance for quick meals and classic tuna recipes
  • VERSATILE: Our tuna in water can makes quick meals effortless. Also available in 25% less sodium and in oil, our tuna can is great for topping fresh salads, fueling protein‑packed rice bowls or grabbing a wholesome seafood snack
  • VALUE PACK OF 48: Stock your pantry with this 48 pack of tuna cans for a wholesome addition to meals and snacks. These tuna cans are easy to store and great to have handy for when hunger strikes at the office or at home
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to check changing market prices

For market monitoring, FAO describes its GLOBEFISH Price Dashboard as covering 350 products, with prices updated weekly on Mondays from large wholesale and first-sale markets. Its European Price Report is monthly and covers 500 fish products. Check that the selected entry matches the tuna species, product form, region and transaction stage you need; a wholesale or first-sale listing is not automatically a retail price. Details are on the FAO GLOBEFISH service page.

How large is the tuna trade?

For scale—not as a price for a fish—FAO reported that global exports of tunas, bonitos and billfishes were worth USD 14.6 billion in 2020. This historical export total includes cross-border trade across products; it is not a current market-size estimate or a per-pound value. The figure appears in FAO’s 2022 report.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
StarKist Pantry Storage Pack, Chunk Light Tuna in Water (5oz Cans, 4-count)
  • MILD FLAVOR: Enjoy wild caught, dolphin safe chunk light tuna packed with a naturally mild flavor that lets your favorite seasonings shine. Our canned tuna in water is great for sandwiches, salads or high protein seafood meals
  • LEAN PROTEIN SNACK: Each 5 oz can is a natural source of Omega 3s and delivers 20g protein and 90 calories, making this tuna fish can perfect for Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Paleo and Keto diets and are gluten free and soy free
  • QUALITY TUNA: Our tuna fish canned in water is a dependable pantry staple, delivering consistent taste and performance for quick meals and classic tuna recipes
  • VERSATILE: Our tuna in water can makes quick meals effortless. Also available in 25% less sodium and in oil, our tuna can is great for topping fresh salads, fueling protein‑packed rice bowls or grabbing a wholesome seafood snack
  • VALUE PACK OF 4: Stock your pantry with this 4 pack of tuna cans for a wholesome addition to meals and snacks. These tuna cans are easy to store and great to have handy for when hunger strikes at the office or at home

Market conditions can change over time. FAO GLOBEFISH’s May 2026 analysis discusses pressures including weak catches, fuel costs and supply-chain delays. Those pressures are reasons to use dated, market-specific information rather than treating an older benchmark as a current universal price. FAO GLOBEFISH market reporting.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Field Notes

  1. Entry 01Disaster Preparedness for Pets: What to Plan and PackBreeding6 min
  2. Entry 02Holiday Pet Safety Tips: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Safe Through the HolidaysBreeding7 min
  3. Entry 03What to Buy for a New Rescue Dog: A First-Week Essentials GuideBreeding3 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.