Tuna (skipjack tuna) market prices fall, but expected price increases are not seen in Bangkok, Thailand

Despite anticipated increases, the price of skipjack tuna in Bangkok's market saw a slight decrease in December 2024, remaining steady at US$1,550 per ton. This is due to a decrease in the market's expected rise to US$1,600 per ton. Slightly higher prices were paid by small and medium-sized processors. The market's stability is attributed to ample storage inventory and a slowdown in supply from the fishing ban and reduced shipping from Asia. However, demand in Europe remains low. In the Indian Ocean, strong catches have led to varied market prices, with some vessels docked due to exhausting quotas. Atlantic fishing conditions have improved, with stable prices for skipjack and yellowfin tuna.

Bangkok, Thailand, is an important center for global tuna processing. Skipjack prices did not rise as expected in December 2024. According to industry sources, the market showed a slight downward trend. As of the first week of December, the price of skipjack in the Bangkok market was stable at US$1,550 per ton, and small and medium-sized processors paid a slightly higher price of US$1,580 per ton. It was previously expected that the price for delivery in December might be close to US$1,600 per ton, but the actual price failed to continue to climb. An Asian source said that the price in Bangkok "did not continue to rise" this month. On December 16, an EU source revealed that the price of skipjack in Bangkok was US$1,575 per ton. US dollars, while most sources in the Asian market confirmed that the price remained at US$1,550 per ton. However, slightly lower prices also appeared in the market, with some saying that the price dropped to US$1,530 per ton. Another source pointed out ...