Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is a highly migratory, medium-sized tuna species prized for its mild flavor and firm texture, often marketed as “white tuna” in canned products. This species is found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, supporting significant commercial fisheries. The top albacore fishing countries include the United States, Spain, France, Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand, each operating large fleets in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Spain and France are particularly dominant in the North Atlantic albacore fishery, while the United States and New Zealand are leaders in the Pacific. Taiwan and Japan also maintain substantial distant-water fleets targeting albacore across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The albacore fishing industry is vital for these nations, supporting both domestic consumption and export markets, and is managed through international agreements to ensure sustainability.
Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
---|---|---|
1 | China | 53,625 |
2 | Taiwan Province of China | 49,931 |
3 | Japan | 22,913 |
4 | Spain | 16,996 |
5 | Indonesia | 13,238 |
6 | United States of America | 8,800 |
7 | Fiji | 7,418 |
8 | France | 6,437 |
9 | South Africa | 5,519 |
10 | French Polynesia | 4,369 |
11 | Canada | 3,666 |
12 | Vanuatu | 3,556 |
13 | Ireland | 3,374 |
14 | Solomon Islands | 2,725 |
15 | New Zealand | 2,460 |
16 | Kiribati | 2,162 |
17 | New Caledonia | 2,158 |
18 | Republic of Korea | 1,774 |
19 | Micronesia (Federated States of) | 1,473 |
20 | Samoa | 1,450 |
21 | Malaysia | 1,283 |
22 | Italy | 1,155 |
23 | Australia | 1,101 |
24 | Cook Islands | 952 |
25 | Seychelles | 710 |
26 | Mauritius | 625 |
27 | Papua New Guinea | 595 |
28 | Réunion | 533 |
29 | Dominican Republic | 485 |
30 | Cyprus | 448 |
31 | Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | 317 |
32 | Portugal | 284 |
33 | Belize | 227 |
34 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 216 |
35 | United Republic of Tanzania | 215 |
36 | Panama | 193 |
37 | Egypt | 177 |
38 | Philippines | 173 |
39 | Marshall Islands | 150 |
40 | Greece | 146 |
41 | Viet Nam | 122 |
42 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 121 |
43 | Türkiye | 118 |
44 | Sri Lanka | 106 |
45 | Colombia | 55 |
46 | Tonga | 52 |
47 | Malta | 50 |
48 | Ecuador | 41 |
49 | Chile | 27 |
50 | Madagascar | 23 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.