ANALYSIS: Illex Squid Market Update for Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, both Argentine and international fishing fleets recorded adequate captures within Argentina's exclusive economic zone and international waters, leading to a decline in prices for Illex squid (Illex argentinus) through March. However, new catch conditions informed by market participants resulted in...

Maruha Nichiro Acquires VDL Group for €40 million

Japanese seafood company Maruha Nichiro Corporation (MNC) recently acquired Netherlands-based seafood company Van der Lee Seafish Beheer B.V. (VDL Group) for €40 million (USD $44.36 million).

The decision to acquire the VDL Group was announced at MNC’s Board of Directors meeting on May 12, where the Board resolved on a capital injection in the amount of €40 million for MNC’s consolidated subsidiary Maruha Nichiro Europe Holding B.V (MNEH) to acquire a majority stake in Van der Lee Seafish Beheer B.V. (VDL Group), and for MNEH’s subsidiary Seafood...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

Northline Seafoods Pays More Than $1.37M Bond to Release Seized Salmon Vessel

On May 6, Sayak Logistics (d.b.a. Northline Seafoods) paid more than $1.37 million for the release of its seized vessel, the Hannah, which had been confiscated by federal authorities due to outstanding welding bills owed to Leo’s Welding and Fabrication, LLC, in excess of $1.2 million.

This development comes after a federal judge in Washington state issued a warrant on April 30 for the arrest of the vessel, given its outstanding debt with Leo’s Welding. The Washington-based welding company performed work on the Hannah...

ANALYSIS: Balancing Growth Opportunities Against Inventory Risks for US Shrimp Imports

Total Imports by Country: Strong Growth Continues

Total shrimp imports in March 2025 reached 154.4 million lbs, a robust 10.7% increase year-over-year, surpassing our estimate range of 151.6-172.9 million lbs. This growth appears to be significantly impacted by importers frontloading ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement. Indonesia showed the most dramatic growth at +32.0% to 27.7 million lbs, while India maintained its market leadership position with 55.0 million lbs (+7.0%). Thailand's volumes surged by 60.6% to 4.7 million lbs, though...

Gov. Newsom, CDFW Make Moves to Boost Salmon Production in California

Upgrading salmon hatcheries and releasing juvenile Chinook directly into the Sacramento River are integral to helping California’s ailing salmonid populations, according to state officials.

Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this week announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is upgrading 21 fish hatcheries to boost the state’s salmon and trout populations and to protect hatcheries from the impacts of climate change.

The project helps build the California salmon and trout supply, which are important to indigenous peoples, communities, and the state’s multimillion-dollar fishing industry, according to...

Hokkaido’s March Surimi Production Doubled, Reaching 490 Tons

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, frozen surimi production in Hokkaido in March 2025 increased 2.1 times compared to the same month last year, with the main product, Alaska pollock, increasing due to increased fish landings. Thus, frozen surimi production totaled 490 tons.

However, considering that the previous two years were sluggish and that the total production volume was 800 tons three years ago, a major manufacturer said, "it is by no means a large amount."

Alaska pollock landings were 2.7 times higher at 426 tons...

Profand Earns BSP Certification for Argentinian Fleet; First Certified Fleet in Country

Global fish company Profand recently obtained a Best Seafood Practices (BSP) Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard (RFVS) for its Argentinian fleet of squid and shrimp vessels, the first of its kind in the South American country, according to a recent press release from the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA).

The vertically integrated seafood company currently has a presence in 12 countries, with 24 vessels in Argentina, Morocco and the United States, three aquaculture sites in Ecuador, Greece and Galicia, and 13 seafood processing plants worldwide.

The third-party BSP certification...

Russia to Increase Exports of Deep-Processed Fish Products to BRICS Markets

This year, Russia will accelerate its efforts to increase exports of deep-processed fish products to key BRICS partners, among which are India, Brazil, and China.

According to earlier statements made by German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with Russian media, the biggest export potential is currently observed with pollock fillets, surimi, clipfish, and fishmeal.

Perhaps the biggest hopes are associated with supplies to the Indian market, where Russia estimates the annual supply of pollock fillets could reach...

Seafood Expo Global 2025: Seafood Excellence Global Awards Announced

The 2025 Seafood Excellence Global awards were announced yesterday evening during a reception in the Galleria of Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue at the 31st Seafood Expo Global (SEG), with finalists representing 15 different countries worldwide.

Of the 40 finalists that were selected this year, nine products were selected as finalists for Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product, and 31 products were selected as finalists for Best Retail Product. Products were evaluated based on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation...

SSA Calls for Commerce Dept. to Investigate Ecuador Shrimp Industry’s Alleged Illegal Practices

As the tectonic shifts in U.S. trade policy are being felt by countries that have provided the U.S. consumer with high-demand goods, U.S. producers of these goods see opportunities for relief from competition and growing markets for their product.

The U.S. demand for shrimp — imported and domestic — presents an opportunity for domestic shrimp producers to expand their market while building protections against future trade conflicts and exposing alleged violations of trade practices in foreign countries. 

Ecuador, the world’s second largest exporter of shrimp to the U.S...

Russia Expects Steady Growth of Crab Supplies to Domestic Market

Crab supplies to the Russian market are expected to grow this year due to the ever-growing demand and consumption of crab from local customers and a significant decline in exports.

According to earlier data provided by the Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), domestic crab supplies in 2024 grew by 20% year-on-year, reaching up to 8,000 tonnes. Given the availability of affordable crab options combined with increased consumption and supply, there is a possibility that that growth will continue this year.

Unlike previous years, crab is no...

Seafood Expo Global 2025 Begins Today in Barcelona

Today marks the start of the 31st edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global (SEG) in Barcelona, which brings together key players of the global seafood industry, including retail buyers, food service and distribution businesses, importers, government and industry leaders, and suppliers for seafood, equipment, and packaging. 

The event is taking place at Fira de Barcelona’s 51,217-net-square-meter Gran Vía Venue between May 6-8.

A total of 2,187 companies from 87 countries and 68 national and regional pavilions are exhibiting this year, totaling an estimated economic impact of...

“I’m Starting to Get Real Upset,” Sullivan’s Frustrated Call for Fisheries Surveys in Alaska

Last week, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, pressed Mr. Paul Dabbar, the nominee who will likely be the new Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, on fisheries stock surveys in Alaska. 

Sullivan pointed out that if staffing and approved funding from the Department are not prioritized, there will be no fishing. Sullivan also demanded that Dabbar and Commerce officials work promptly with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to sign the pending maintenance contract for the Kodiak...

International Coalition of Fisheries Associations to Launch New Seafood Nutrition Toolkit in June

A new Seafood Nutrition Toolkit will be available to the seafood world in early June that will raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of seafood to global audiences, backed by the most recent scientific research. 

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA), based in Reston, VA, is working with Global Seafood Communicators, based in Portsmouth, NH, to construct a resource that will assist ICFA and its members in communicating unified messaging on seafood’s health benefits to a wealth of audiences...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

ANALYSIS: Balancing Growth Opportunities Against Inventory Risks for US Shrimp Imports

In our top story today, Angel Rubio analyzes U.S. shrimp imports as the market faces inventory risks and potential growth opportunities. He explains how total shrimp imports in March 2025 reached 154.4 million lbs, marking a robust 10.7% increase year-over-year and surpassing Expana’s estimate range of 151.6-172.9 million lbs. Rubio states that this growth appears to be significantly impacted by importers frontloading ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement...

ANALYSIS: Farmed Salmon Market Sees Early Downturn Leading up to Mother’s Day 2025

Traditionally, the farmed salmon market experiences strong demand from December through Mother’s Day, after which it begins to slow as the U.S. approaches the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day weekend. However, the 2025 market is showing signs of softening earlier than usual.

Both the fresh Chilean and European fillet markets have begun to slip, with supplies readily available and prices trending lower. Over the past week...

Scottish Salmon Farmer Loch Duart Creates New Standard for Small-Scale, Transparent Farming

Loch Duart Salmon (LDS) recently launched the ‘Loch Duart Standard,’ a new assessment process that is reflective of the Scottish company’s small-scale, low-density pens and welfare-led approach to salmon aquaculture.

Through this roll-out, the salmon company—who has its headquarters at Badcall Bay, Scourie—has created a new benchmark standard for salmon farming, highlighting transparency and sustainability throughout salmon farming operations like those of LDS.

According Loch Duart’s recent press release on the process, the ‘Loch Duart Standard’ is indicative of the company’s...

Russian Salmon Catch Not to Exceed 400,000 Tons, Says Russian Federal Fish Agency

According to Russia’s federal fish agency, Rosrybolovstvo, the country’s domestic salmon catch is not likely to exceed 400,000 tons this year. This expectation is in line with initial forecasts that were made by agency analysts alongside leading Russian fishery scientists.

Ilya Shestakov, the agency’s head, confirmed this, stating, “There are preliminary forecasts that our science is already providing. They will certainly be updated after the studies that will be held in May.”

At the end of November 2024, in an interview with the TV channel Russia-24...

Menhaden Fishermen Urge ASMFC to Cast Aside Environmentalists’ Misinformation

In a recent press release, the Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) provides details and insight on a May 2 letter that was signed by six shop stewards representing union fishermen members of United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400.

Ultimately, the MFC expresses support for the fishermen and their grievances and pleas, as they address the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Menhaden Management Board. In the letter, the fishermen call on the Board to protect working Virginia watermen. As part of the ASFMC’s 2025 Spring Meeting, the Board was scheduled to debate...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Salmon Market and Production Update

In April, the average price for whole fresh Chilean Atlantic farmed salmon 4-5 kg in the United States market ($4.65 lbs. - €9.17 kg) rose by 1.9% month-on-month, amidst a stable whole fish market characterized by adequate supply against moderate demand. Despite the generally stable conditions, the Chilean salmon sector is currently facing instability due to a 10% tariff imposed on its products...

West Coast Fisheries Infrastructure Waxes and Wanes: Part 3

Loss of shoreside docks, hoists, creates multiple problems 

Editor’s note: This is the last of a three-part series on the struggles facing shoreside infrastructure that supports West Coast fisheries. Part 1 discussed the decline in fisheries and infrastructure in the past 20 years. Part 2 discussed the spreading repercussions of infrastructure loss, including a loss of ice plants on which fishermen depend. 

Physical infrastructure like docks and hoists are an equally important part of the infrastructure puzzle. Docks need constant maintenance, but dock work requires extensive permitting...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending

Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...

ANALYSIS: Squid Market Faces New Crosscurrents Amid Recently Imposed Tariffs

Squid continues its volatile trajectory into 2025, with many of the same challenges persisting and one significant new development poised to reshape the broader market landscape.

Supply across most squid species and origins entering the U.S. remains difficult to navigate, a trend that has persisted for some time. Meanwhile, the market continues to show signs of disruption...

West Coast Fisheries Infrastructure Waxes and Wanes: Part 2

Loss of infrastructure and spreading repercussion

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on the struggles facing shoreside infrastructure that supports West Coast fisheries, submitted by Pacific Fishery Management Council Executive Director Merrick Burden. Part 1 discussed the decline in fisheries and infrastructure in the past 20 years.  

Infrastructure problems are particularly acute in California due to depleted salmon populations, closures in the nearshore rockfish fishery, delayed Dungeness crab seasons, changing regulations, and shifting markets. In the early 1980s, between 2,400 and 3,300 commercial boats...

BioMar Reports Volume Increase of 12% in Q1 2025

Aquaculture feed company BioMar recently released its first quarter results for 2025, showing record high volumes for the quarter, combined with solid earnings. 

According to the report, BioMar increased its volumes across all segments by 12% year-on-year. Regarding feed volumes, salmon increased by 7%, selected species went up by 13%, and shrimp increased by 24%, mainly driven by its business in Ecuador.

“I am pleased to conclude that every segment experienced growth in both volume and revenue. In 2024, we intensified our efforts on product mix and commercial excellence..."

Russia Unhappy with Zero Quota for Atlantic Capelin Fishing

Russia is displeased with its zero quota for Atlantic capelin fishing this year, according to earlier statements by German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE).  

As Zverev said in an interview with Russian newswire Ria Novosti, while Norway has a significant 2025 quota for capelin fishing, which it uses as salmon feed, Russia received a zero quota for the same year, despite how important of a fish capelin is for Russians. Zverev also recalled that Russia only caught part of its approved quota for... 

Today’s Top Story: US and China Reach Deal to Temporarily Slash Tariffs, Easing Slump Fear

In our top story today, the United States and China have agreed to temporarily slash reciprocal tariffs in a deal that surpassed expectations as the world's two biggest economies seek to end a damaging trade war that has stoked fears of recession and roiled financial markets. Effective for 90 days, the U.S. will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April this year to 30% from 145% and Chinese duties on U.S. imports will fall to 10% from 125%...

49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector

This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.  

“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks. 

Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance.