Maldivian Tuna Targets Big Markets With Fair Trade Certification

Swiss seafood trading company BlueYou recently announced, ahead of the World Tuna Day on May 2, that it has launched the Fair Trade Certified tuna program in the Maldives in partnership with Fair Trade US. The certification ensures that products meet strict social, economic, and environmental standards. Maldivian-caught pole-and-line skipjack and yellowfin certified under Fair Trade standards are expected to command premium prices in the EU and US, boosting returns for fishers beyond conventional tuna market earnings. The initiative will partner with 25 island communities across eight atolls, benefiting approximately 30,000 people, including 2,500 tuna fishers.

René Benguerel, co-founder and CEO of Blueyou, said: “Our five-year plan is to supply 500 freight containers of Fair Trade Certified canned tuna to retail markets. Our program helps seafood buyers mitigate social risks, which remain a major challenge in the global tuna industry.” BlueYou has previously run the Fair Trade program in the Maldives. In 2021, it partnered with the Maldivian company Horizon Fisheries for the certification.