Similar to the rest of the world, UK citizens are rushing to supermarkets to stockpile food and other household items as the country comes closer to a lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.

And canned tuna is one seafood products benefitting from this panic purchasing.

The surge in purchases in the past two weeks is only anecdotal at this stage, since no market data in the United Kingdom has yet to demonstrate the sales impact, but social media tweets and a massive spike in Google searches for "canned tuna" in the UK are indicative of the rush.

Two of the largest canned tuna suppliers, Thai Union and Princes, are banking on an expected spike in business.

"Naturally, as people are making preparations for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, shelf-stable and canned products such as tuna and other seafood products such as salmon, sardines and mackerel are in demand due to both having a longer shelf life and also being a great source of nutrition, particularly in delivering protein," a Thai Union spokesperson told IntraFish.

Canned tuna sales in the United States surged 25 percent in February in reaction to the spread of the coronavirus.

A spokesperson at Mitsubishi-owned Princes confirmed a similar trend in the UK.

“We are experiencing extremely high levels of demand on all areas of ambient grocery, and we are working closely with suppliers and customers to ensure our business and supply chains can meet this increased demand during these exceptional circumstances," the spokesperson told IntraFish.

Princes is putting all of its effort into meeting customers' requirements for increased volume, but the situation remains in flux.

Retailers are also reporting higher-than-normal consumer sales on some products, which may increase order demand in the short-term, the Thai Union spokesperson said.

"However, for our foodservice products we are seeing a slight downturn in demand as our trade partners assess market prices and whether consumers will continue to dine out of home," he said.

Thai Union implements precautionary measures

Similar to other counterparts, Thai Union is monitoring the global situation closely and following all health updates and advice from the World Health Organization, as well as local governments in the areas the company operates.

The company will soon communicate its business continuity plans and enforced workplace separation.

"In Thailand, for example, staff and visitors are required to wash and sanitize their hands before entering, and to wear gloves, masks and clothing protection in high risk areas to mitigate any possible contamination," the Thai Union spokesperson said.

The company also restricted worldwide business travel and implemented requirements for quarantine and self-isolation prior to entering any Thai Union workplace.

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Thai Union, Princes: Panic shoppers driving spike in UK canned tuna sales