CAN SIZES 



During the period 1935-1952, there was a significant increase in 

 the proportion of the pack of canned tuna in the No. 5 tuna can. These 

 cans contain 7 ounces of solid pack, 6g ounces of chunk style, or 6 

 ounces of grated or flake style. These weights are net weights and in- 

 clude the weight of fish, oil, and salt. In figure 8 it will be noted 

 that 76 percent of the pack in 1935 was in this size can. In 1946, 

 this had increased to 99 percent, while in 1952, 95 percent of the pro- 

 duction was in the No. 5 tuna can. Table 10 lists the quantity of tuna 

 packed in the various can sizes. 



The percentage increase in the quantity packed in the No. 5 tuna 

 can was largely at the expense of the No. 1 tuna can or the size known 

 in the trade as "I's", except during the war \itien the smaller No. 5 

 tuna can was not packed because of the tin conservation program. From 

 1949 to 1952, a small pack was again put up in No. 4 tuna cans, which 

 is the institutional size pack. 



To convert a canning line from the use of one size can to another 

 involves substantial expense. The tuna canning industry fortunately 

 has a sufficient variety of sizes on the market at present to meet the 

 demand of consumers. The popular flat No. 5 tuna can adequately meets 

 the needs of most families. 



The No. 1 can which contains about twice the contacts of the No. ^ 

 can is currently being emphasized in several retail markets. It is too 

 soon to know how well this size will go, but it is expected that the 

 market will be limited, especially since the saving to consumers over 

 the buying of the smaller No. 5 tuna can appears to be negligible. If 

 the larger can were priced so as to show a significant saving to the con- 

 sumer, it might develop a significant vol\ime. However, the general 

 trend in urban markets is toward smaller can sizes. Rural markets buy 

 most foods in ."larger quantities, but need first to become tuna conscious 

 before they can be sold a larger size can. Now the No. ^ can would be 

 the reasonable one to promote in rural markets. 



It certainly appears that the industry has a sufficient variety of 

 different size cans to satisfy present danand, and to experiment with 

 additional sizes would be questionable. Of course, as the industry pro- 

 cesses tuna mixed with other foods, such as noodles, etc., the size and 

 type of container may have to undergo considerable change. 



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