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Issue link: https://seafoodbusiness.epubxp.com/i/233790
Top Species Honolulu Fish Auction, operated by the United Fishing Agency, where fsh prices are determined via competitive bidding by wholesalers and retailers, says Kaneko. Auction buyers process and market fsh to local restaurants and retailers, to secondary wholesalers on the mainland and increasingly through direct shipments to restaurants across the country. True exports of tuna direct from Hawaii are minimal, he says. Prices for Hawaii bigeye and yellowfn tuna tend to be on the high side in comparison with imported tuna because of high operating costs and a very strong local market, says Kaneko. "Discriminating buyers and consumers drive prices higher for Hawaii tuna," says Kaneko. "Tere is only so much genuine ahi from Hawaii." Looking at the U.S. tuna market overall, domestic commercial landings of fresh and frozen tuna for 2012 were 136.7 million pounds for canning and 484.8 million for "other." Tuna imports in 2012 were 400.6 million pounds for canning and 212.1 million pounds for other. Canned tuna holds its own In the shelf-stable category, tuna consumption continues to fall, moving down to 2.4 pounds per capita in 2012 Chicken of the Sea is celebrating a century in business. from 2.6 pounds in 2011, 2.7 pounds in 2010 and 3.5 pounds in 2000. While domestic product numbers were largely unchanged from 2011 to 2012, the drop in consumption of canned tuna was attributed primarily to a decrease in imports and an increase in exports, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service's Fisheries of the United States 2012 report. In 2012, the U.S. canned tuna supply was 387 million pounds of U.S. packed and 353.8 million pounds imported, for a total of 740.8 million pounds. "Demand for tuna among U.S. consumers has remained relatively fat the past several years," says Christie Fleming, VP-marketing for Chicken of the Sea in San Diego. As one of the world's largest providers of tuna in cans, pouches and cups, Chicken of the Sea sources albacore, skipjack, yellowfn and tongol tuna primarily from the West Pacifc, Central Pacifc and Indian Visit us online at www.seafoodbusiness.com oceans, as well as portions of the South Atlantic. Fleming adds that tuna "is an incredibly volatile commodity in the seafood sector and we have seen raw material costs nearly double in the past couple of years, with a slight softening in the past 12 months." "[Tuna is] an incredibly volatile commodity in the seafood sector and we have seen raw material costs nearly double in the past couple of years." — Christie Fleming, VP of marketing, Chicken of the Sea Te company's growth is coming in other species, she says, such as salmon. "As a leader in salmon and other specialty seafood, Chicken of the Sea is experiencing growth in these specialty categories as more Americans are embracing new seafood choices in both everyday meal-planning and specialoccasion recipes," she says, pointing to growth of the company's Premium Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon Pouches as a good example. Tis year is the 100th anniversary for Chicken of the Sea, which plans several major events to celebrate. "We'll be launching Chicken of the Sea: 100 Years of Good," which is a yearlong efort that combines special commemorative packaging, promotions and retailer programs. New pouched products will also be part of the centennial promotion, says Fleming. "While our Chicken of the Sea Solid White Albacore Tuna and Chunk Light Tuna, packed in 5-ounce cans in both water and oil, continue to rank as our most popular products, we're seeing an increase in demand for our tuna and salmon pouches as packaged tuna continues its evolution" beyond its status as a lunchtime staple, she says. For the tuna industry overall, the desired outcome for this year is that supply and demand get back into balance as the fsh continues to develop new avenues for fresh, frozen and canned sales. Contributing Editor Joanne Friedrick lives in Portland, Maine January 2014 SeaFood Business 27