Saudi Arabia Canned Tuna Market Overview,2030

The canned tuna market in Saudi Arabia has seen steady growth over the years, driven by an increasing demand for quick, affordable, and nutritious food options. Tuna, with its high protein content and omega-3 fatty acids, has become a staple in the diet of many Saudi families. The convenience of canned tuna has made it popular among busy professionals and growing families, especially as ready-to-eat meals gain popularity. Saudi Arabia's multicultural population has also contributed to the rise in demand for canned tuna, with diverse dishes such as tuna hummus, tuna sandwiches, and tuna rice becoming common across households. The awareness around health and nutrition has further boosted this market as consumers seek out products that align with their dietary goals. As the population becomes more health-conscious, consumers are increasingly opting for products with certifications such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and Dolphin Safe, ensuring that their purchases align with sustainability practices. Moreover, food safety regulations in the country require strict labeling, which has built consumer trust in canned tuna brands. Saudi Arabia's positioning as a key player in the Middle East and its steady import-export flows have ensured that a wide variety of global brands are readily available. With a continued focus on sustainability, convenience, and quality, the canned tuna market is poised for ongoing expansion in the region, particularly with increasing awareness of both the health benefits and environmental impact of their food choices.

According to the research report, ""Saurdi Arabia Canned Tuna Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saurdi Arabia Canned Tuna market is anticipated to add to more than USD 90 Million by 2025–30. The canned tuna market in Saudi Arabia is a competitive space with several international and regional players vying for consumer attention. Global brands such as John West, Starkist, and Bumble Bee are prevalent in supermarkets, offering a range of canned tuna products tailored to local preferences. Additionally, local brands such as Almarai and Saudi Fisheries have carved out a niche by offering products that cater to the specific tastes of Saudi consumers. Sustainable fishing practices, particularly those related to certifications like MSC and Dolphin Safe, have gained traction, reflecting growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly sourcing. Tuna is primarily sourced from major fishing regions such as the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, with countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines being key exporters to Saudi Arabia. In response to consumer demand, companies have focused on enhancing their product offerings, such as ready-to-eat meal kits, flavored tuna options, and eco-friendly packaging innovations. As Saudi consumers seek more convenient and health-conscious options, single-serve pouches and family-sized cans have become increasingly popular. Technological advancements in processing and packaging have also been significant in driving market innovation. The pandemic has had a notable impact on supply chains, but the Saudi market has proven resilient with consistent demand for canned goods. With the rising awareness of climate change and its potential effects on tuna stocks, companies are taking steps to ensure sustainable sourcing to maintain long-term supply.
In Saudi Arabia, skipjack tuna dominates the canned tuna market due to its affordability and wide availability across the Kingdom, especially in densely populated cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Locally recognized brands such as Al Alali, Goody, and Luna rely heavily on skipjack as their base product because it offers a soft texture and neutral flavor that adapts well to popular Saudi dishes such as tuna mutabbaq, sandwiches, and mixed rice meals. The Kingdom’s large expatriate community from South Asia and the Philippines also contributes to demand for skipjack, using it in their own culinary traditions. In contrast, yellowfin tuna is positioned as a more premium offering, catering to consumers who are conscious of quality, texture, and taste. Yellowfin varieties are sold more commonly in higher-end stores like Manuel Market in Jeddah and Danube Hypermarket in Riyadh, where affluent shoppers seek gourmet options for salads, grilled dishes, or international cuisine such as sushi or Mediterranean-style tuna platters. Yellowfin is often marketed with a focus on protein content and health benefits, especially in fitness-conscious communities in areas like Khobar and Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Beyond these two types, the canned tuna market also includes niche offerings such as albacore, longtail, and mixed-species blends, typically found in international food aisles of hypermarkets like Carrefour or Tamimi. These are often imported and packaged for specialty use and are preferred by Western expatriates or health-conscious locals who are willing to experiment with tuna in olive oil, tuna with herbs, or organic-labeled versions. This variety reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasingly global palate, especially in cities undergoing rapid development and modernization such as NEOM and King Abdullah Economic City, where consumer preferences are expanding beyond traditional products.

In Saudi Arabia, the business-to-consumer distribution channel is the primary driver of canned tuna sales, with expansive retail networks and modern trade formats ensuring consistent access to a wide range of brands and product types. Large-scale retailers like Panda, Lulu Hypermarket, and Othaim Markets dominate the urban consumer market in cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Mecca, and Dammam, where families and individuals regularly purchase canned tuna as a pantry staple. These stores offer a wide selection of canned tuna types, from economy packs to premium lines, often displayed with promotional bundles especially during Ramadan and Hajj seasons when food stockpiling increases. Many supermarkets cater to international preferences by offering imported tuna varieties alongside local brands. Additionally, the surge in digital shopping has significantly impacted consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, with platforms like HungerStation, Nana, and Carrefour Online enabling customers in cities such as Medina and Abha to order canned tuna for home delivery. Meanwhile, the business-to-business channel plays a vital but less visible role in supplying bulk quantities of canned tuna to hotels, restaurants, and institutional kitchens. Major catering companies based in Riyadh and Jeddah procure large volumes of tuna through distributors like Al Munajem and SADAFCO to service airline catering at King Abdulaziz International Airport, school canteens in Jubail, and hospital kitchens in cities like Taif and Hail. Many mid-size restaurant operators, particularly those offering seafood platters, club sandwiches, or fusion dishes, rely on B2B suppliers to maintain consistent inventory. The hospitality boom in areas like AlUla and the Red Sea Project has also increased demand for foodservice-grade tuna, often supplied in industrial-size cans and used in high-traffic resorts and tourism zones, signaling that B2B demand for canned tuna is expanding as the Kingdom’s foodservice landscape continues to diversify.

In Saudi Arabia, flaked tuna represents the most widely consumed format in the canned tuna segment due to its soft texture and versatility in home-cooked meals. Households across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina frequently purchase flaked tuna to prepare quick and filling dishes such as tuna with rice, tuna samosas, and cold pasta salads, which are particularly popular during summer or Ramadan. Flaked tuna is favored because it spreads evenly, mixes easily with sauces and vegetables, and requires no cutting or preparation, making it ideal for busy families and bachelors alike. Chunk tuna, on the other hand, is valued by consumers who prefer a meatier texture and visual presence of tuna in their meals. Chunk-style canned tuna is often used in restaurants in Khobar and Yanbu where it features in high-protein wraps, pizza toppings, and buffet salads. This format holds firm when cooked or baked and is especially appealing in Western-style cafés. Fillet tuna is more niche but growing in demand among upper-income groups, particularly in areas such as North Riyadh, where imported goods are common. High-end retailers such as Manuel and Tamimi stock fillet tuna packed in olive oil or seasoned with herbs, which appeals to gourmet home chefs preparing grilled dishes or Mediterranean platters. These premium options are often sourced from Europe or Southeast Asia and are purchased for quality occasions or gifting purposes. Additionally, other shapes and packaging styles such as tuna pouches and ready-to-eat meal kits are emerging in popularity, especially in fast-paced urban centers like Dammam and Tabuk, where consumers look for portable and health-conscious options. Pouch tuna appeals to younger Saudis and office workers seeking healthy snack options, while value-conscious buyers in rural areas continue to buy traditional can formats, showing how preferences vary across regions. 

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Canned Tuna Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Skipjack
• Yellowfin
• Others

By Distribution Channel
• B2C
• B2B

By Shape
• Flakes
• Chunks
• Fillets
• Others
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