During 2006 Seychelles delivered in total slightly less of its tuna products to the EU compared to 2005. Although there was an increase in total canned tuna exports – exports of whole round tuna dropped significantly.

The main Seychelles tuna product in terms of quantity was canned tuna in brine, which went up by 16% from 38792 M/T to 44841 M/T.  Most of canned tuna in brine was exported to the UK, it was 26054 M/T. This put Seychelles on the first place as leading supplier of this product in the UK market in terms of delivered volume in 2006.

Seychelles delivered less canned tuna in oil, sales to the EU dropped to 18113 M/T, 14% less in 2006.  There was also a reduction in the tonnage of frozen whole round tuna during last year. Seychelles exported 24536 M/T of this item, 30% less in compared to the year before when the country sold 36961 M/T of frozen item to the EU.

Seychelles showed its dominance in Europe by being the biggest exporting nation of canned tuna in brine to the European market in 2006. Their delivery equaled a 19% share of the total European supply of this product.

In 2006 all exporting nations combined sold a total of 237376 M/T or 26 million cartons of canned tuna in brine to the EU. It was just a tiny increase by 1% from the year before. Also total European demand for imported tuna in oil – from non-EU nations - went up from 146588 M/T to 154183 M/T or 17 million cartons.



Data shows clearly that Seychelles, with its excellent access to raw material in the Indian Ocean, has become the dominant force in the European canned tuna market. This especially impressive considering that all this volume is just produced by just one plant Indian Ocean Tuna – which is owned by MW brands (former Heinz Seafood Europe). Obviously the fact that Seychelles enjoys duty free access to the EU is of great importance, and therefore the continuation of this duty free status through a new EPA agreement will be a crucial factor to its future.

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