Tuna includes several commercially important species with different sizes, product values, and processing applications.
For wholesalers and seafood distributors, correctly identifying different types of tuna helps prevent product confusion and ensures that the right raw material is purchased for each market.
Commercial and local names may vary, so large-volume orders should preferably include the English and/or scientific species name.
Common Commercial Tuna Species
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a large tuna recognized by its characteristic yellow fins.
It is commonly processed into:
- Loins.
- Fillets.
- Steaks.
- Frozen products.
- Customer-specific processed formats.
It is widely used in higher-value processing and international seafood trade.
Bigeye Tuna
Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) is another large commercial species.
It can appear similar to Yellowfin Tuna, making correct species identification important when confirming large-volume purchases.
Commercial products may include whole frozen fish, loins, fillets, and other processed forms.
Skipjack Tuna
Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is generally smaller than Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna and can be recognized by dark longitudinal stripes along the lower body.
It is widely used for:
- Industrial processing.
- Canned tuna.
- Whole frozen products.
- Further-processing raw material.
Kawakawa Tuna
Kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis), commonly known as cá ngừ bông in Vietnam, is a small-to-medium tuna species.
It may be supplied as whole frozen fish or according to agreed processing specifications for wholesalers and processors.
Other Small Tuna Species
Other small tuna species are also commercially traded and may be sold under different local names.
Because common names can vary between suppliers and regions, buyers should confirm the scientific name, product image, size, and processing specification before placing large orders.
Species Identification Should Be Part of the Purchase Specification
A commercial order should contain more information than simply “frozen tuna.”
A clearer specification follows:
Species → Scientific/English name → Product form → Size → Processing → Freezing → Packaging
For example: Frozen Kawakawa – Whole Round – 1–2 kg/fish – Bulk Packing
provides far more clarity than: Frozen Tuna – 10 MT
Wholesalers should also consider size consistency, net weight, glazing where applicable, product condition, and the ability to repeat the same specification in future shipments.
Correctly distinguishing different types of tuna helps distributors maintain stable product codes, reduce receiving disputes, and supply the appropriate tuna product to each downstream market.
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Contact KDT Production for consultation on tuna species, sizes, processing specifications, packaging, and frozen seafood supply for your distribution business.