Mowi Acquires Majority Stake in Nova Sea in $656M Deal

Salmon farming giant Mowi has acquired a controlling stake in fellow Norwegian salmon farmer Nova Sea in a NOK 7.4 billion ($656.4 million) agreement.  

Mowi negotiated a deal with Nova Sea's founding family, Vigner Olaisen AS, to acquire its controlling stake in Nova Sea AS. According to a company announcement, Mowi increased its ownership in Nova Sea from 49% to 95%.

“Nova Sea is a frontrunner in the Norwegian aquaculture industry and is known for its excellent biological performance and industry-leading margins...

Trump’s Political Appointments: What They Mean for Commodity Markets

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in for this second term as US President. JD Vance also took the oath of office to become the 47th Vice President.

The new President and his political appointments have dotted headlines in the agricultural commodity space and beyond–grabbing the attention of individuals worldwide. More importantly, the people Trump is bringing aboard to lead, regulate, or deregulate the country’s industries will carry with them implications for domestic and international commodity markets...

Amar Seafood Obtains Licenses for Halibut Farm in Trøndelag, Norway

Norwegian-headquartered aquaculture company Amar Seafood was recently granted licenses to farm Atlantic halibut in its facility in Frøya, Trøndelag, Norway.

Currently, Amar Seafood operates five fully licensed aquaculture facilities across Canada, Scotland, and Norway, harvesting head-on-gutted groundfish: the Spotted Wolffish and Atlantic halibut.

The Frøya site will be repurposed for halibut farming, as well as for research and development for Amar, with a focus on testing and improving equipment and operational solutions...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 22 - The Road to Agri-Food Europe 2025, feat. Olympia Theocharous

With ongoing challenges like disruptive weather, animal diseases, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions, 2025 is already proving to be a complex year. The uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s trade policies and potential tariffs adds another layer of concern. As we navigate these short-term hurdles, Agri-Food Europe 2025 will offer a valuable opportunity to take a step back, think long-term, and adapt corporate strategies accordingly.

On today’s episode, we speak to Olympia Theocharous, Expana’s Content Director for Events...

Tassal and Visy Collaborate on Sustainable Cardboard Boxes for Australian Shrimp

Seafood producer Tassal recently partnered up with Australian food and beverage manufacturer Visy to create new sustainable cardboard boxes for Tassal’s shrimp products.

The boxes, which are made from 74% recycled material, are made locally at Visy’s Carole Park site in Ipswich, Queensland, before being sent to Proserpine for packing.

According to Adrian Dalgleish, Executive General Manager for Fiber Packaging at Visy, keeping the manufacturing within Australia ensures Australian jobs while also maintaining proximity for any customer needs as they arise.

Together, Visy and Tassal ran numerous market trials...

ANALYSIS: Importers Grapple with Mahi Mahi Challenges in Central and South America

As we approach the close of the fourth month of the 2024-2025 fishing season in Peru and Ecuador, it’s clear that this has been a challenging period, with production consistently falling below expectations...

Russia Aims to Become a Leading Surimi Producer Within the Next Several Years

Russia aims to become one of the world’s leading surimi producers within the next several years as the country looks to expand its domestic production significantly.

Last year, the production volume significantly increased, allowing the country to join the top five world leaders in pollock surimi production.

According to data from the Russian Pollock Association, production grew by 47% from 2023 to 70.800 tons last year.

According to the President of the Association, Alexey Buglak, the rapid production growth completely covered the domestic market's demand...

Browne Trading Company Welcomes Three New Partners to Drive Growth & Sustainability

Portland, Maine-based Browne Trading Company announced an organizational shakeup, including the formation of 260 commercial investments via three new investment partners.

The company explained that the new partnership will enhance its capacity to grow its distribution network and improve its sustainability goals.

Rod Browne Mitchell, the company’s founder and CEO, will continue to handle day-to-day operations. Ed Chiles, who brings 45 years of experience into the fold, recently sold his three waterfront restaurants in Florida. He is the first of the three new investment partners...

Whole Foods Market Issues New Seafood Code of Conduct

Whole Foods Market just issued its new Seafood Code of Conduct (SCC), which reinforces the company’s commitment to ensuring human rights and worker welfare within its global supply chain.

The SCC commits to responsibly sourcing fresh, frozen, and canned seafood with respect to the following areas:

-- Maximum working hours and time at sea (including rest hours and port visits every eleven months)

-- Ethical recruitment (prohibiting recruitment fees and unclear contracts)

-- Communication access for crew members (including crew contact with family and Wi-Fi prioritization)

-- Health and safety onboard vessels (including required...

Seafood on the Speedway: Sea Best Returns for NASCAR Sponsorship with Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing

Seafood will be well represented on the racetrack this season, thanks to a recent partnership between Kaulig Racing and Bever Street Fisheries’ Sea Best brand. 

Sea Best, the flagship brand of major U.S. seafood supplier Beaver Street Fisheries, will return as the primary partner for NASCAR racer Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Chevrolet car for 20 races during the 2025 season.

Sea Best will begin its tour as the main sponsor for Dillon and the No.10 on February 2 with the Cook Out...

European Commission Works to Decarbonize the Fishing Fleet in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

The EU fisheries sector is still highly dependent on fossil fuels. To reach carbon neutrality in the EU by 2050, it is important to find solutions for fishing fleets, to reduce such dependency and move to renewable and low-carbon energy sources as quickly as possible.

The DecarbonyT project, started in December 2023 and financed under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, is assessing to what extent the use of optimised trawling gears in the Mediterranean and Black Sea can lead to lower fuel consumption...

Japan's FY2023 Land-based Aquaculture Shipments Hit 6,392 Tons, Small-scale Production Dominates

According to the Fisheries Agency, the shipping volume from land-based aquaculture in FY 2023 was 6,392 tons. Of this, 4,802 tons were finfish, 15 tons were shellfish, 657 tons were algae, and 919 tons were other. The figures were announced on January 22. The agency has implemented a notification system for land-based aquaculture since April 2023; this is the first time the shipping volume has been announced, reported Minato Shimbun. The figures exclude eel farming, which requires ministerial permission, and...

Founder of Gimme Seaweed, Annie Chun, Lands Award from Korean Govt for Seafood Export Contributions

Pioneering organic seaweed snack brand, Gimme Seaweed, announced the founder, Annie Chun, received a prestigious award from the Korean Government for her extraordinary contributions to Korean Seafood Exports and the Korean Seaweed Industry. Annie is the first foreign individual in 50 years to receive this honor, which was delivered by the Minister of Oceans at the December ceremony.

The Korean seaweed industry has demonstrated dramatic growth topping $1B in exports in 2024, with the US now their number one export market...

The Retail Rundown: Record Championship Game Viewership Expected to Drive Food Sales

As January comes to a close, grocers are actively preparing for the year's first major food-buying event, the pro-football championship game in New Orleans.

With a record-breaking audience expected to tune in to the big game on Sunday, February 9, retail and foodservice sectors anticipate a boost in sales as consumers indulge in game-day finger foods.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), an estimated 203.4 million U.S. adults will tune in with total spending projected to reach $18.6 billion...

96% of Tampa-St Petersburg Restaurants are Misleading Shrimp Consumers

According to recent genetic testing conducted by Seafood Development Consulting (SEAD), approximately 96% of shrimp in Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida restaurants (42 out of 44 establishments) were determined farm-raised imported shrimp instead of the wild-caught local shrimp they were advertised as.

This coincides with previous SEAD genetic tests and repeated cases of shrimp mislabeling in the U.S.A.’s Gulf of Mexico region, as we reported on earlier this month.

“When diners think of Tampa and St. Pete, they think of seafood fresh from the Gulf..."

Portuguese Fish Cannery BELA Rebrands and Introduces Direct-to-Consumer Experience

Today, Portuguese tinned fish producer BELA revealed new branding and a revamped website for its hand-packed cod, mackerel, and sardine products.

The change is the first rebranding since BELA’s operations began in 1997, working with local European fishing communities to source sustainable cod, mackerel, and sardines.

To go with the company’s refreshed identity, BELA also introduced a new tagline, “Everyone’s Welcome to the Table™”, emphasizing the inclusivity and accessibility of BELA’s products.

As part of its new website formatting, the family-owned seafood cannery is now...

Azure Seafood Endorses GSA’s Best Aquaculture Practices Certification Program

Yesterday, North American seafood supplier Azure Seafood endorsed Global Seafood Alliance’s (GSA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program.

In a company statement, Azure Seafood outlined its commitment to improving the seafood industry via the BAP Program and facilitating environmental stewardship and ethical sourcing.

Azure Seafood expressed its dedication to ensuring responsible aquaculture practices and high quality seafood products....