PNG tuna exports to the EU from 2009 to 2024 show growth

Since PNG signed the EU Pacific Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2009, all goods from PNG enjoy duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, provided they meet certain standards. The EPA gives particularly broad access to processed fisheries products from the Pacific, which has boosted, in part, investment in the tuna cooking and canning industry in PNG

PNG tuna export to the EU has grown from a few thousand tonnes in 2009 to well over 200,000 tonnes in 2024.

This makes PNG globally the second top provider of processed tuna in the EU, said Erika Hasznoz, who has been the EU ambassador since August 2025.

Our Chairman, Sylvester Pokajam; recognized that the EPA provide certain level of market access to Europe, but he also remark that the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea (FIA PNG) due diligence – Responsible Sourcing Policy or RSP has been fully responsible of the last 5 years boost of the PNG tuna sector as a global reference in the tuna industry of good practices and therefore the RSP help our exporters opened new markets and premium markets.

The RSP, which is a private initiative developed in 2018 by Seafoodmatter for PNG, have received recognition and is based on four pillars that include: Sustainability, Social Accountability, Marine litter and Fishing Gear, and Traceability.

The PNG tuna products are placed as the first tuna supplier in Germany under the Marine Stewardship Council MSC certification, while in Spain, PNG is placed as the third tuna supplier for sustainable tuna.

According to GlobeFish and INFOFISH market report, the demand for canned tuna in the EU market is growing.

The RSP has been instrumental in placing FIA PNG fisheries (tuna, lobster, Prawns) in different stakeholders’ meetings, dialogues, workshops, and increasing market access – Marcelo Hidalgo, FIA PNG COO

Since Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed the EU Pacific Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2009, all goods exported from PNG are entitled to duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, provided they comply with specific standards. The EPA particularly enhances access for processed fisheries products from the Pacific region, which has contributed significantly to investments in PNG's tuna cooking and canning industry.

Tuna exports from PNG to the EU have experienced remarkable growth, increasing from just a few thousand tonnes in 2009 to over 200,000 tonnes by 2024. This achievement positions PNG as the second-largest supplier of processed tuna to the EU on a global scale, as noted by Erika Hasznoz, the EU ambassador since August 2025.

Our FIA PNG Chairman, Sylvester Pokajam, acknowledged that while the EPA provides a certain level of market access to Europe, he emphasised that the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea’s (FIA PNG) Responsible Sourcing Policy (RSP) has been instrumental in driving the growth of the PNG tuna sector over the past five years. The RSP has established PNG as a global benchmark for good practices in the tuna industry, helping our exporters tap into new and premium markets.

Developed in 2018 by Seafoodmatter as a private initiative for PNG, the RSP is based on four key pillars: Sustainability, Social Accountability, Marine Litter and Fishing Gear, and Traceability. This framework has garnered recognition and supports responsible sourcing throughout the industry. Under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, PNG tuna products are recognised as the leading supplier of tuna in Germany and rank third for sustainable tuna supplies in Spain.

According to market reports from GlobeFish and INFOFISH, the demand for canned tuna in the EU market is on the rise.

The RSP has played a critical role in facilitating the participation of FIA PNG's fisheries including tuna, lobster, and prawns—in various stakeholder meetings, dialogues, and workshops, thereby enhancing market access,

Marcelo Hidalgo,

COO of FIA PNG