The significant contraction in skipjack supply is expected to continue supporting prices in the near term

Skipjack Tuna Prices Hold Firm as Global Buyers Hesitate Amid Supply Strains

WORLDWIDE
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Market stability masks weakening demand signals as cautious purchasing and supply shortages shape short-term outlook

The global skipjack tuna market remained broadly stable at elevated levels in early April, but trading activity slowed sharply as buyers adopted a cautious, wait-and-see approach. Key trading hubs such as Bangkok, Thailand , and Manta, Ecuador , continued to see price support driven by rising fuel costs, logistical bottlenecks, and tightening supply chains, according to a report by Food World (Beijing) .

Data covering April 6–12 (Week 15) showed that the CFR price of frozen whole skipjack tuna in Bangkok held steady compared to the previous week. However, actual trading volumes were notably subdued. Industry participants reported limited liquidity, with few deals being finalized—particularly at the higher price levels seen in recent weeks.

Photo: Stockfile / FIS

One market participant noted, "current transaction volume in the Bangkok market is very low, with many buyers unwilling to accept current price levels and therefore choosing to postpone their purchases."

Despite some major Asian processors suggesting that transaction prices could be $100 to $150 per metric ton below the lower end of the previous week's range, no confirmed deals were recorded at those levels. As a result, official quotations remained unchanged week-on-week. This indicates that while prices appear stable on the surface, underlying market fundamentals are weakening due to a lack of actual transactions.

Sources across the industry highlighted that demand continues to outpace supply, though part of the current buying activity is driven by precautionary restocking rather than genuine consumer demand. Rising fuel prices have pushed up container shipping costs, encouraging some canneries to build inventory in advance—mirroring stockpiling behavior seen during the pandemic.

Photo: Stockfile / FIS

Market insiders warned that such inventory accumulation carries a speculative element. If restocking continues or accelerates, it could artificially sustain raw material prices even in the absence of stronger end-user demand.

In contrast, trading conditions in Manta, Ecuador , appeared slightly firmer. Several transactions were completed within the current price range, mostly near the upper end or approximately $50 per ton below it, continuing trends observed in Week 14. A fisheries industry insider suggested that more pronounced price movements could emerge within the next 1 to 2 weeks .

Photo: Stockfile / FIS

Although geopolitical tensions have not yet directly disrupted the tuna trade, cost pressures linked to oil markets are becoming increasingly visible. A cannery source in Manta stated on April 8 that while the recent ceasefire agreement involving the United States , Iran , and mediation by Pakistan had not yet had a direct market impact, input costs tied to oil derivatives were rising. This includes higher prices for packaging materials such as stand-up pouches.

Catch data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)for the period January 1 to March 22, 2026 , underscores tightening supply conditions. Total tuna catch reached 208,880 metric tons , representing a 7% year-on-year decline from 224,510 tons in the same period of 2025 . While yellowfin tuna catches increased by 15% , skipjack tuna landings dropped sharply to 81,697 tons , down 26% from 110,073 tons a year earlier.

Cumulative catch by species and by fishing gear from purse seine vessels. Source: CIAT/IATTC. Click on the image to enlarge it

The significant contraction in skipjack supply is expected to continue supporting prices in the near term. Although prices in Manta remain lower than those in Bangkok , the gap between the two markets has narrowed and remains within a manageable range, particularly after the sharp price increases recorded in Bangkok last month.

🇯🇵Japanese version (completely translated)

カツオ価格は Supply is forced and the firm tone is maintained, and the world's buying hand is a cautious posture

The market is stable, needs to be weak, and needs to be controlled, buy with caution, and short-term visibility of insufficient supply is around the corner.

The world's largest market is in early April, and the overall market is high and stable, and the buying and selling activities are fast and slow. The main points of reference are: であるタイ・バンコクおよびエクアドル・マンタでは, rising fuel costs, chaotic logistics, and サプライチェーンのforced といった is due to により価格が下Branch えされたと, **フードワールド (Beijing) **が报じた.

**April 6~12 (15th week)**のデータによると、バンコクThe frozen pills of におけるごとカツオのCFR価格は were compared with the previous week of でほぼlateral ばいだった.しかし, 実记の出账速度は与しく不了した. Industry related people, such as the limited liquidity of the market, and the recent high level of special features, are about to meet the standards of the industry.

あるMarket participant は时のように说べた. "The amount of quotation in the current market is very low, and the purchase level is high, and the purchase is postponed."

One of the major processors of the first part, the lowest limit of the previous week, the lowest limit of 100 yuan, 100~ 150 meters is low, the probability is low, the probability is high, the low level is low, the low probability is high, and the low level is low, the low probability is low, and the low level is low, and the low probability is high, and the low level is low, and the low probability is high, and the low level is low, and the low probability is high, and the low level is high, and the level is confirmed.そのため、 Formula なphase field はweek ごとに変化 していない.つまり, the superficial には価lattice and stable しているものの, and the lack of introduction of 実记のによりThe fundamental factor of the market is は无码んでいる.

The industry's latest supply, current demand and supply, previous reply, one purchase event, and necessary response, and pre-emptive inventory replenishment, are available. The rise in fuel costs has resulted in an increase in transportation costs and an increase in the amount of fuel costs in advance at the factory. The action of "これはパンデミック时" is similar to "している".

The side of market relations and speculation in the stock market are warning and warning.もしSupplement が継続またはAcceleration すれば、Final need のsignificant increase がなくても、Raw material 価Gをsupport え続けるPossibility がある.

On the one hand, the エクアドル・マンタmarket is used to attract the environment and the environment is firmly adjusted. Plural number of のtakecitationがnowの価格帯でestablishedし、その多くはレンジupper limit pays close、またはabout 1トンたり50 meters low level で行われ, 14th week 's tendency を cited き継いでいる. Those involved in the fishery industry are not aware of the possibility of any changes to the fishery industry in the next 1 to 2 weeks .

The important current point in geology is that it has a direct influence on the relationship between geology and petroleum, and the rise of the relationship between geology and geology. On April 8th , the people related to the factory in the United States , the United States, the company , and the company 's intermediaries had a direct impact on the market.を和ぼしていないが、スタンドアップパウチなどの packaging materials Materials containing petroleum-derived products are made of petroleum-derived products.

Catch report of the Mishu Attractive Category Committee (IATTC) from January 1st to March 22nd, 2026 The catch of fish and fish was 208,880 tons , compared with 224,510 tons in the same period last year , a 7% decrease . There was a 15% increase in the fish catch of the fish, a catch of 81,697 fish , and a 110,073 fish catch in the same period last year, a decrease of 26% .

The supply of crude oil has shrunk significantly, and the short-term crude oil market has shown a clear trend. The results of その, the マンタの価lattice is still としてバンコクよりlow いものの, the difference between 両markets is reduced, and the range of the range is closed まっている. The special に日月のバンコクでの Rapid な価 rose is a である that considers すれば and その difference は.

🇨🇳Simplified Chinese version (complete translation)

Skipjack tuna prices remain firm amid tight supply, with global buyers adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

Market stability masks signs of weak demand; cautious purchasing and supply shortages dominate the short-term outlook.

In early April, the global skipjack tuna market remained generally stable at high levels, but trading activity slowed significantly due to buyers adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Prices in major trading hubs such as Bangkok, Thailand , and Manta, Ecuador, were supported by multiple factors, including rising fuel costs, logistical disruptions, and tightening supply chains. (According to Food World (Beijing)).

Data from April 6th to 12th (week 15) shows that the CFR price of frozen whole skipjack tuna in Bangkok remained largely unchanged from the previous week. However, actual trading volume declined significantly. Industry insiders stated that market liquidity was limited, especially given the previous high price levels, resulting in extremely scarce transactions.

One market participant said: "Transaction volume in the Bangkok market is very low right now, and many buyers are unwilling to accept the current price level, so they are choosing to postpone their purchases."

Although some major Asian processors believe current transaction prices may be $100 to $150 per tonne lower than the lower end of last week's range , no actual transactions have confirmed this at that level. Therefore, industry quotes remain stable weekly. This means that despite seemingly firm prices, the market fundamentals are showing signs of weakness due to a lack of actual trading support.

Multiple sources indicate that demand still exceeds supply, but some purchasing activity is more of a precautionary restocking than a genuine improvement in end-consumer demand. Rising fuel prices have further increased container shipping costs, leading some canneries to increase their inventories in advance—a phenomenon similar to the stockpiling patterns seen during the pandemic.

Industry insiders warn that this inventory accumulation has a speculative element. If restocking continues or even accelerates, it could continue to support raw material prices even without a significant increase in end-user demand.

In contrast, trading activity in Ecuador's Manta market was slightly firmer. Some transactions were completed within the current price range, mostly concentrated at the high end or slightly below $50 per tonne , continuing the trend of the 14th week . A fisheries industry source indicated that more significant price fluctuations are possible in the next one to two weeks .

While the current geopolitical situation has not yet had a direct impact on the tuna market, rising oil-related costs are becoming increasingly apparent. A source at a cannery in Manta stated on April 8th that although the ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and Iran through Pakistan has not yet had a direct effect, oil-derived costs, including stand-up pouch packaging materials, are rising.

According to the American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)' s catch report for January 1 to March 22, 2026 , the total catch is 208,880 tons , a 7% decrease compared to 224,510 tons in the same period of 2025. Yellowfin tuna catch increased by 15% year-on-year , while skipjack tuna catch fell to 81,697 tons , a significant 26% decrease compared to 110,073 tons in the same period of the previous year .

Skipjack tuna supplies have tightened significantly and are expected to continue supporting the market in the short term. Therefore, although manta tuna prices remain lower than in Bangkok , the price difference has narrowed and remains within an acceptable range, especially after the sharp price increase in Bangkok last month .

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

Print