Located in the Southern part of Europe, along the Atlantic Coast, Portugal has a long tradition of tuna catching and consumption. Portugal is one of the few countries In Europe that has its own domestic tuna canning industry which is serving the local market. Imports from outside the EU play a minor role in this market.

Portugal’s exports to other member states were equal to about a 3% share of total EU imports. Towards the US market exports from Portugal were lower than 1% of the market during 2006. Within the European Union the main destination were France, for canned tuna in oil, and Italy, for both canned tuna in brine and also pre-cooked tuna loins.

Outside Europe, Portugal exported in 2006 134.459 cartons of tuna in oil to several countries, the main destination being Angola with 89.640 cartons.  

To the US mostly canned tuna in brine was shipped with a total of 6.306 cartons, and also some pouched tuna. Total exports to the US amounted 95 M/T in 2006 – which was a considerate decline of 42% - compared to 2005.

Being a tuna producing nation Portugal also imported frozen pre-cooked tuna loins, 1.095 M/T to be precise. in 2006. However this was a 23% drop from 2005.  75% of the imported loins came from Ecuador and the rest from Mauritius.

Other tuna products, such as frozen and fresh tuna, were imported in tiny amounts.

Portugal also imported canned tuna, with a total of 37.950 cases in 2006, which represented a decrease of 51% compared to the 77.635 cartons that were brought into the country in 2005. Most of this canned tuna was shipped by Ghana.

In 2006, the volume of the domestic tuna production was at the level of approximately 1.657.000 cartons. Average canned tuna consumption in Portugal was 1,42 kg per person, 7% below the European average per capita consumption of 1,52 kg.



On the Portuguese market, the main players are Ramirez Company, Cofaco, Freitasmar and Planitrade. Ramirez has five generation involved in tuna canning. Freitasmar is an owner of three factories: on the Azores, on the island of Madeira (loins production) and on the mainland in Algarve (canning production). Planitrade Lda. is also owner of a tuna processing plant.

Read other Focus On articles

Give us your opinion concerning this subject on the Tuna Discussion Forum