In the U.S., a useful retail benchmark for tuna steaks and portions is $10.75 per pound: the average 2025 retail feature price reported in a 2026 seafood-market conference presentation citing Expana. It is a historical category average, not a live quote. Canned tuna and whole fish are priced differently, and there is no single price for “a tuna fish.”
What does tuna cost by type?
| Product | Price reference | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna steaks and portions | $10.75 per pound in 2025 | Average U.S. retail feature price for the category, reported by the Global Seafood Market Conference in 2026 citing Expana. It is not a current price at every store. Source |
| Chunk light tuna, 12-ounce can unit | $2.54 per unit for 2025–2026 | Washington State institutional procurement price, not a supermarket shelf price. Source |
| Chunk light tuna, 66.5-ounce can unit | $7.86 per unit for 2025–2026 | Washington State institutional procurement price; the larger package is not directly comparable to a household can without converting to price per ounce. Source |
| Western and Central Pacific skipjack delivered to Thailand | About USD 1,500–1,600 per tonne in January–February 2026; USD 2,000 per tonne in March | FAO raw-material market reference, not a consumer price or U.S. retail equivalent. Source |
| Whole tuna fish | Not stated | The sources do not establish a universal whole-fish retail price. A quote depends on species, weight, whether the fish is whole or dressed, seller, and location. |
How much is tuna per pound?
The best retail benchmark in the available figures is $10.75 per pound for tuna steaks and portions in 2025. The same presentation gives a 2024 average of $10.32 per pound, so the reported category average rose by $0.43 year over year. These figures describe retail feature prices, not every tuna cut, species, or ordinary shelf price.
The conference category does not separate steak prices by species. NOAA’s bluefin and yellowfin price series are ex-vessel values—the amount at the fishery landing stage—so they should not be used as the price a shopper pays. NOAA’s 2025 fisheries report presents those measures separately from consumer retail pricing.
How much does canned tuna cost?
The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s 2025–2026 procurement schedule lists chunk light tuna at $2.54 for a 12-ounce can unit, $7.86 for a 66.5-ounce can unit, and $7.46 for a 43-ounce pouch unit. These are institutional procurement prices. They provide context for package pricing but do not establish what a household will pay at a grocery store.
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Compare packages by unit price
For grocery shopping, use the net quantity shown on the package and compare equivalent products by price per ounce. A can and a pouch may differ in size, product form, and packing liquid, so the sticker price alone can be misleading. Compare similar tuna types and package sizes, and check whether the stated weight is net weight.
Why tuna prices vary
- Form and processing: Canned tuna, pouches, frozen loins or steaks, fresh portions, and whole fish are different products with different sale units.
- Species and cut: Tuna species and cuts are not interchangeable. NOAA’s North Atlantic albacore reference describes albacore’s characteristics and uses; the steak-and-portion retail benchmark does not specify species.
- Market stage: Retail, institutional procurement, wholesale raw material, and ex-vessel prices answer different questions. Do not compare them as though each were a consumer shelf price.
- Date and location: The steak figure is a 2025 U.S. retail feature average reported in 2026. The FAO figures concern skipjack deliveries to Thailand in early 2026. Neither guarantees a price at a local store today.
- Package size: Larger institutional packs can have a different unit price from household packages. Use price per ounce or pound to compare comparable products.
What should you budget for a whole tuna?
There is no supported universal whole-tuna price in the cited figures. A meaningful quote needs at least the species, fish weight, location, seller, and whether the fish is sold whole or dressed. A dockside value cannot fill that gap: ex-vessel pricing is a fishery landing-stage measure, not the retail cost of a whole fish.
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Is tuna likely to get more expensive?
In a July 23, 2026 market update, the FAO said: “High fuel costs and continued tensions in the Gulf are expected to keep pressure on tuna supply and logistics chains, while demand for canned tuna should remain supported as consumers turn to more affordable and shelf-stable seafood products.” That is a market outlook, not a forecast of a specific store’s price. Read the FAO update.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- LEAN PROTEIN SNACK: Each 5 oz can is a natural source of Omega 3s and delivers 20g protein and 90 calories, making this tuna fish can perfect for Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Paleo and Keto diets and are gluten free and soy free
- QUALITY TUNA: Our tuna fish canned in water is a dependable pantry staple, delivering consistent taste and performance for quick meals and classic tuna recipes
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
