Live bluefin tuna trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in live bluefin tuna was worth $97.1 million in 2024, about 11.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 18% since 2017, and down 40% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $97.1M | 11.8K t |
| 2023 | $161.3M | 12.1K t |
| 2022 | $155.3M | 12.3K t |
| 2021 | $81.3M | 10.9K t |
| 2020 | $73.3M | 12.7K t |
| 2019 | $73.6M | 7.0K t |
| 2018 | $91.5M | 13.2K t |
| 2017 | $118.5M | 9.5K t |
Top live bluefin tuna exporting countries
Tunisia is the largest exporter with 38% of world exports, followed by Italy and France. The top three supply 65% between them, out of 40 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tunisia | $36.8M | 38% |
| Italy | $13.1M | 14% |
| France | $13.0M | 13% |
| Libya | $11.2M | 12% |
| Algeria | $6.6M | 6.8% |
| Australia | $3.7M | 3.8% |
| Spain | $3.7M | 3.8% |
| Morocco | $3.2M | 3.3% |
| Malta | $3.0M | 3.1% |
| Turkey | $840K | 0.9% |
| Netherlands | $581K | 0.6% |
| Portugal | $418K | 0.4% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
Malta is the biggest buyer with 47% of world imports, ahead of Japan and Spain. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 80% across 56 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malta | $46.1M | 48% |
| Japan | $17.3M | 18% |
| Spain | $14.2M | 15% |
| Turkey | $5.0M | 5.2% |
| Italy | $2.9M | 3% |
| Tunisia | $2.8M | 2.9% |
| Iran | $1.9M | 1.9% |
| Croatia | $1.7M | 1.8% |
| Saudi Arabia | $1.3M | 1.4% |
| France | $846K | 0.9% |
| Finland | $397K | 0.4% |
| Luxembourg | $319K | 0.3% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $8.25 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $54.92 per kg and Algeria $3.26 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0301.94: Fish: live, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis). HS 0301 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most live bluefin tuna?
Tunisia exported $36.8 million in 2024, 38% of the world total, followed by Italy (14%) and France (13%). In all, 40 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most live bluefin tuna?
Malta imported $46.1 million in 2024, 47% of world imports, ahead of Japan (18%) and Spain (15%). The top three importers together take 80%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in live bluefin tuna?
It was worth $97.1 million in 2024, about 11.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 18% since 2017. The peak year was 2023 at $161.3 million. 40 countries reported exports and 56 reported imports.
What is the average price of live bluefin tuna per kg?
The world average declared value was about $8.25 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Australia averaged $54.92 per kg and Algeria $3.26 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for live bluefin tuna?
The HS code for live bluefin tuna is subheading 0301.94, in chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 0301 page.
How can I find live bluefin tuna buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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