Millennials have once again targeted a beloved pantry staple from the 20th century: canned tuna. With sales dropping by nearly 50% over the past generation, it’s evident that the traditional format of tuna in a can is no longer sustainable. This situation has left the three major players in the industry—StarKist, Bumble Bee Foods, and Chicken of the Sea International—struggling to stay afloat. Although these companies account for 80% of canned tuna sales, the entire sector has faced challenges due to reduced consumer demand. This decline is not surprising when considering the broader trend toward convenience. According to the USDA in 2016, half of consumers’ food budgets were allocated to items that are easy to prepare and consume. A study by the NPD Group in 2017 revealed that snack foods consumed during main meals now make up 24% of all snack food consumption, up from 21% five years prior. Unfortunately, canned tuna often gets overlooked in this expanding category.
In response to this trend and the waning interest in canned tuna, the industry has begun to adapt. Last year, StarKist launched single-serving pouches of tuna in flavors appealing to millennials, such as Thai Chili Style, Jalapeno, Hot Buffalo Style, Sriracha, and Tapatio. Since their introduction, the company has reported an annual sales increase of approximately 10%. While StarKist benefits from positive feedback on their new packaging, smaller and more agile companies like Wild Planet Foods and Safe Catch are also gaining traction. These brands, which offer both packets and cans, are capturing market share from the big three by marketing their tuna as more sustainable and of higher quality. Nielsen data cited by The Wall Street Journal indicated that smaller brands, excluding private labels, held 6.3% of the market as of October, a significant rise from 3.7% in 2014.
However, this shift toward convenience comes with environmental costs. While pouches are easy to use, they are not recyclable, contributing to increased waste. Millennials appear to be more environmentally conscious than previous generations, but the convenience of this packaging often takes precedence over sustainability, which could have long-term repercussions for companies. StarKist might consider investing in eco-friendly or reusable packaging to address the negative impacts of this demand for convenience.
As the tuna industry attempts to realign its products with consumer desires for innovative flavors and hassle-free meals, the perception of canned tuna as retro could offer a unique opportunity. This product might find its way into restaurants and menus aiming to evoke nostalgic flavors from America’s past. Yet, this could prove challenging, especially considering the fate of other items that millennials have shunned, such as American cheese. While this situation offers little consolation to an industry in decline, another potential avenue for the major tuna brands could be partnerships with meal kit companies that seek ingredients with broad appeal for creating easy-to-prepare, perfectly portioned meals. In 2019, StarKist partnered with Kroger’s Home Chef meal kit service to include its yellowfin tuna pouches in their offerings.
In exploring how much citrate is in calcium citrate, it’s essential to note that the citrate content can vary depending on the specific formulation. This information could be useful for consumers looking to balance convenience and sustainability in their dietary choices, particularly as they navigate the evolving landscape of food products. As the tuna industry continues to adapt, understanding consumer preferences—including how much citrate is in calcium citrate—could play a crucial role in shaping future offerings.