How to write an apples-to-apples RFQ for Indonesian canned tuna, the spec fields that truly move FOB price, typical 2026 premiums and MOQs, and a copyable template you can send to suppliers today.
If you’ve compared three canned tuna quotes from Indonesia and seen a 12–20% spread for what looks like the same product, you’re not alone. Most of the gap comes down to spec ambiguity. The reality is that factories don’t guess. They price the spec that’s written, and anything left open gets “filled” in a way that protects their margin. Our goal here is simple. Help you write a private-label RFQ that gets firm, comparable FOB per‑can prices in 2026.
We’ll focus on FOB only. No freight, duties, or retail math. Just the spec fields that move price.
The spec fields that move Indonesian canned tuna FOB price
In our experience, nine out of ten price swings come from these areas. Nail these and your quotes will line up within a few cents.
- Species and cut
- Species: Skipjack vs Yellowfin. Skipjack is the global workhorse. Yellowfin brings a lighter color and brand halo, but costs more.
- Cut: Flakes/chunks vs solid. Chunks pull from smaller pieces and trimmings. Solid uses center-cut loins. Solid is always pricier.
- Medium
- Brine vs vegetable oil vs sunflower/olive blends. Oil costs more and impacts drained weight behavior.
- Salt level (e.g., 1.2–1.8%) affects flavor and labelling. Not big on cost, but lock it in.
- Net and drained weight
- State both. Example: 185 g net, 130 g drained. Include tolerance (+/−3% typical) and measurement method (AOAC).
- Each +5 g drained weight adds fish content and raises cost.
- Can size and lid
- Size families: 140/160/170/185/188/200 g are common. 185 g is the global standard.
- Lid: Easy-open (EO) vs normal. EO costs more but improves consumer experience.
- Internal lacquer and BPA-NI requirement
- BPA-NI lacquers carry a small premium and sometimes a longer lead-time on components.
- Certifications
- MSC, Halal, and any social audits. Certification premiums are real because they constrain raw-material pools and add compliance overhead.
- Labeling and packaging
- Paper label vs litho-printed can. Paper labels are more flexible at lower MOQs. Direct print can lower labor in high volumes but increases setup.
- Outer carton spec: 24 or 48 cans per carton, corrugate grade, print color count, and barcode. Carton quality and color count move price.
- Packing configuration and palletization
- Floor-loaded vs slip-sheet vs pallets. Pallets add cost and reduce container counts. Floor-loading is cheapest for FOB.
- Commercial terms
- MOQ per SKU, price breaks at container-level volume, price validity, lead time after artwork approval, payment terms, and named FOB port (Tanjung Priok/Jakarta, Tanjung Perak/Surabaya, Tanjung Emas/Semarang, Bitung).
Takeaway: If a field above isn’t specified, you’re inviting apples-to-oranges quotes.
What do typical 2026 premiums look like?
We’ll use a common baseline: 185 g can, skipjack chunks in brine, 130 g drained, standard lid, paper label, 48 cans/carton, floor-loaded, FOB Surabaya.
Indicative baseline price: USD 0.88–1.08 per can FOB. This range reflects normal component volatility and supplier differences. Here’s how specs usually move that number:
- Oil vs brine: Vegetable oil adds about USD 0.06–0.12 per 185 g can. Sunflower often sits at the higher end when oil markets are tight. Olive oil blends can add more.
- Yellowfin vs skipjack: Add USD 0.15–0.35 per can for yellowfin chunks. Solid-pack yellowfin can push higher.
- Drained weight changes: Every +5 g drained typically adds USD 0.02–0.05, depending on species and cut.
- Easy-open lid (EO): +USD 0.01–0.03 per can.
- BPA-NI lacquer: +USD 0.01–0.02 per can.
- MSC certified tuna: +USD 0.03–0.07 per can. Availability and catch area alignment matter.
- Halal: In Indonesia, Halal is standard in many plants. Premium is often USD 0.00–0.01, mainly paperwork and logo control.
- Paper label vs litho can: Paper labels are standard at private-label MOQs. Litho print can be neutral to slightly cheaper at large runs, but setup and cartonization make it case-by-case.
These are patterns we see repeatedly. Actual quotes will hinge on raw fish, tinplate, oil markets, and your total program volume.
What MOQs and price breaks should you expect for 185 g private label?
- MOQ per SKU: 1×20’ container is a common minimum for a brand-new SKU. Many packers prefer 1×40’ for sharper pricing. For trial runs, some will entertain half-container if components are standard.
- Price breaks: Expect noticeable steps at 1×20’, 1×40’, and multi-container orders with 60–90 day call-offs. Component commitments drive these.
- Label MOQ: Paper labels often require 50–100k minimums per design, but suppliers may pool your first run across multiple production days.
Lead times: First orders usually run 60–90 days after artwork approval and deposit. Repeat runs can be 45–60 days. Price validity is typically 14–30 days in 2026 because fish, oil, and tinplate can move quickly.
Which packing and pallet choices lower unit cost?
- Floor-loaded cartons: Lowest per-can FOB. You can usually load 3,000–3,400 cartons of 48×185 g in a 40HC when floor-loaded, depending on carton spec.
- Palletized: Expect 1,800–2,200 cartons of 48×185 g per 40HC on pallets. You’ll add pallet, stretch-wrap, and handling cost, and you’ll ship fewer cans. That can add roughly USD 0.01–0.03 per can vs floor-loaded.
- Carton count: 48s are more efficient than 24s for container utilization. 24s are friendlier for retail DCs but nudge FOB up a touch on material and logistics.
Pouches vs cans: For equivalent drained weight, retort pouches can be USD 0.02–0.06 cheaper on packaging materials and cube better. But MOQs are higher, and not every plant runs pouches. If you’re evaluating both, specify exact net/drained equivalences.
How to write an apples-to-apples RFQ (copy this)
Paste this into your email and fill the blanks. You’ll be amazed how aligned the quotes become.
- Product: Canned tuna for private label
- Species: [Skipjack / Yellowfin]
- Cut: [Chunks / Flakes / Solid]
- Medium: [Brine (salt % __) / Vegetable oil / Sunflower oil / Olive blend]
- Can size: [185 g] Net weight: [__ g] Drained weight: [__ g] Tolerance: [±__%] Method: [AOAC]
- Lid: [Easy-open / Normal]
- Can interior lacquer: [BPA-NI required? Yes/No]
- Certifications/logos on pack: [MSC Yes/No], [Halal Yes], [BRC/IFS/GFSI acceptable], [Social audit: __]
- Label type: [Paper label / Litho-printed can]. Paper label spec: [__ gsm, varnish ]. Print colors: [].
- Outer carton: [24 / 48] cans/carton. Corrugate grade: []. Print colors: []. Barcode: [EAN/UPC].
- Pack method: [Floor-loaded / Slip-sheet / Palletized]. If palletized: pallet type [wood/plastic], size [], height [], max weight [__].
- Case and container loading target: [X cartons/container]. Provide packing plan with quote.
- Shelf life at production: [__ months]. Storage: [Ambient]. Sample retention & QC: [__].
- Artwork: We provide open files. Preproduction sample required: [Yes/No].
- Volumes: First order [__ cartons], annual forecast [__ cartons]. Ask for price breaks at [1×20’, 1×40’, multi-container].
- Terms: Incoterm FOB [Port: Jakarta/Surabaya/Semarang/Bitung], payment [], price validity [ days], lead time from artwork approval [__ days].
- Optional alternates to quote: a) Oil vs brine, b) EO vs normal lid, c) BPA-NI vs standard lacquer, d) Drained weight +/−5 g.
Want a quick sense-check on your spec or a benchmark range before you send it out? Contact us on whatsapp. We’ll tell you where suppliers typically pad assumptions and how to lock them down.
Quick answers to the questions we get most
What specs do I need in an RFQ to get firm FOB quotes?
Species and cut. Medium. Net and drained weights with tolerances and AOAC method. Can and lid type. BPA-NI requirement. Certifications. Label and carton specs. Packing method and named FOB port. Volumes and price break points. Lead time and price validity. When those are explicit, quotes converge.
How much does oil vs brine change per-can price in 2026?
For 185 g, expect +USD 0.06–0.12 per can for vegetable oil. Sunflower leans high when edible oil markets tighten.
What’s the typical premium for yellowfin over skipjack?
USD 0.15–0.35 per 185 g can for chunks. Higher for solid-pack.
How much extra do easy-open lids and BPA-NI add?
EO lid: +USD 0.01–0.03. BPA-NI: +USD 0.01–0.02.
What MOQs and price breaks apply to 185 g private label?
Plan for 1×20’ per SKU as a starting MOQ, with better pricing at 1×40’ and multi-container commitments. Labels may have 50–100k piece MOQs.
Do MSC and Halal increase FOB price?
MSC typically adds USD 0.03–0.07 per can. Halal is usually standard in Indonesia with minimal premium (USD 0.00–0.01).
Which packing configuration and palletization lower unit cost?
Floor-loaded 48s are the most cost-efficient. Pallets are operationally friendly but add USD 0.01–0.03 per can and cut container counts by roughly one-third.
Common mistakes that quietly inflate your FOB
- Missing drained weight tolerance. You’ll get quotes on different fish yields. Always specify both net and drained weights plus tolerance and method.
- Asking for “oil” without naming type. Sunflower, vegetable blend, and olive carry different costs. Quote both brine and oil to see the spread.
- Forgetting lid and lacquer. EO and BPA-NI are small premiums that turn into big surprises across a container.
- Vague packaging. “Standard carton” can mean 24s, thin corrugate, or low-color prints. Be precise.
- No alternates. If you ask suppliers to quote your spec plus two easy alternates (brine vs oil, EO vs normal lid), you’ll get faster internal alignment and fewer change orders.
When this advice applies (and when it doesn’t)
This guide fits mainstream retail and foodservice canned tuna. If you’re building specialty lines such as infused oils, low-sodium clinical nutrition, or premium solid yellowfin with catch-area storytelling, expect larger premiums and more complex raw-material controls. That’s a different exercise, and we’re happy to help you structure it.
By the way, for brands building a broader tuna range, our team also handles premium raw tuna formats that complement canned lines and support end-cap storytelling. For example, Yellowfin Steak and Yellowfin Cube (IQF) for foodservice, or Yellowfin Ground Meat (IQF) for retort recipes and ready-meal programs. Different formats, same cold-chain discipline.
Final word
You don’t need twenty quotes to find the best Indonesian canned tuna price. You need two or three quotes on the same spec. Write the RFQ once, ask for two alternates, and make suppliers confirm your loading plan and component choices. Do that, and you’ll make a clean decision in days, not weeks. If you’d like a second pair of eyes before you hit send, Contact us on whatsapp.