February 9, 2016 — Skipjack tuna prices for delivery in February to the Asian tuna hub of Bangkok, Thailand are firming up on the previous month, sources told Undercurrent News.

With the US vessel tie-up continuing, prices for January deliveries firmed somewhat, a trend that is looking set to continue.

A deal has been done at $1,175 per metric ton between a trader and a canner, sources in the US and Asia told Undercurrent.

The large tuna traders, a US-based executive said, are holding out for $1,200/t for the rest of the deals.

“They [the traders] are only offering around half of the usual contract monthly tonnages,” he said. “Canners tell me that $1,300/t or $1,400/t for March is talked of, but I don’t see them able to pay that.”