First off, the species of tuna typically used for each are different in terms of quality and cost. Secondly, a large amount of the cost of fresh tuna is due to the importance of freshness — it has to be precicely temperature controlled on ice/refrigerated, it gets transported by plane to get it into stores and restaurants quickly, and there is a significant loss due to throwing out spoiled product. Canned tuna is sealed soon after catch and cooked in the can to kill any bacteria, meaning it’s shelf stable and has a long expiration date that allows for much cheaper transportation and the ability to store for long periods of time, whether in a warehouse, store shelf, your home.
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