ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Navigates a Shifting Supply Landscape

The live lobster market is entering a pivotal seasonal transition. As July begins, several Canadian Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) are either closing or experiencing reduced landings, tightening northern supply. At the same time, fishing activity in Maine is increasing, with a gradual shift in production focus to US harvesters. This period typically marks a rebalancing of supply dynamics, with market participants closely watching shifts in availability, pricing and demand as the peak summer season approaches...

Acme Smoked Fish CEO Announces Retirement After 18 Years on Company’s Executive Team

Yesterday, Acme Smoked Fish Corporation (Acme) announced the upcoming retirement of CEO Eduardo Carbajosa and the appointment of Incoming CEO Rob Snyder.

Effective immediately, Snyder will assume a long-term strategic planning role until he formally assumes the role of CEO on January 1, 2026, Carbajosa’s official date of retirement.

Carbajosa is retiring after nearly two decades with the fourth-generation, family-owned and operated smoked fish company. He first joined Acme in 2007 as its CFO, then becoming President in 2020, and CEO in January 2024...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Value to Maintain Protein Momentum

Retail meat clearance over the Independence Day holiday was generally strong, with consumers stocking up on grilling staples for the summer’s flagship cookout occasion.

With few major buying events remaining this summer, grocers will likely push aggressive features and highlight value finds to sustain shopper engagement through the dog days of summer.

Post-holiday protein advertisements show seafood maintaining the lead at 33.1% of retail features, followed by beef at 25.1% and pork at 21.5%. Chicken accounted for 16.2%, while turkey fell to just 2%—half of the previous week's...

New Study Finds Minimal Impact of BC Net Pen Salmon Farms on Wild Populations

A new peer-reviewed study suggests net pen salmon farms in British Columbia have minimal impact on the region’s wild salmon populations.

The study, published earlier this week, was authored by six health experts from UC Davis, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Washington State University, and Oregon State University.

Findings from the study indicate that several articles written over the past two decades, linking the substantial impacts of pathogens transmitted from farmed salmon to wild salmon...

Prime Shrimp Launches New Shrimp Burgers for Retail and Foodservice

Value-added shrimp company Prime Shrimp has unveiled its Prime Shrimp Burgers, which are now offered to customers in the foodservice and retail sectors.

The burgers are made with 80 percent shrimp and are free from sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The product is cook-from-frozen and pre-portioned, per Prime Shrimp.

Prime Shrimp said the burgers feature Pacific White Shrimp sourced from Ecuador. The 4-ounce patties feature large shrimp pieces, chopped bell pepper, and Prime Shrimp’s Signature Cajun seasoning...

Russia Hopes for Rebound of Pollock Catch in Bering Sea  

Russia is hoping to see an increase in pollock catch in the Bering Sea this year, according to Russian analysts and marine scientists. 

Earlier this month, the pollock catch in the Western Bering Sea zone — one of Russia’s key fishing areas — had reached 131,200 metric tons.  

In 2024, Russia's pollock catch in the Bering Sea dropped by nearly 25% compared to the previous year, prompting concern across the industry. The Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners attributed the decline to a mix of economic and environmental factors, including...

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...

Big, Beautiful Bill Act Gives Seafood Processors Who Feed Workers a Tax Deduction 

At last — a tax break that has been sought by US seafood processors for years was finally enacted in the bill signed by President Trump on July 4 titled, H.R. 1 — 119th Congress: One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Deduction of meal costs incurred by processors on vessels and in processing plants, whether on land or aboard a mothership or catcher/processor, is now legal.   

The history of deducting business meals or entertainment as a cost of business goes back several decades, but the most...

US to Impose 25% Tariff on Japanese and Korean Imports Starting August 1

President Donald Trump's tariff letters are being rolled out, with Korea and Japan at the forefront. In identical letters released on July 7, the administration announced that both countries will face a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the United States, effective August 1.

In identical letters sent to the leaders of both countries, Trump declared that the US would impose the tariffs “on any and all Korean (Japanese) products sent into the US,” including goods transshipped through third countries in an attempt to bypass the...

Norway Exports NOK 85.2 Billion in Seafood in First Half of 2025, Increases 6% YOY

According to a recent news release from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway's seafood exports increased by NOK 4.6 billion (USD $ 454.46 million), or 6%, during the first half of 2025, when compared to the same period last year, thus signifying the best first half to date for the European country.

From January to June of this year, Norway exported a total worth of NOK 85.2 billion (USD $8.4 billion) and a total volume of 1.3 million tonnes of seafood, with June alone...

SFP 2024 Reduction Report Reveals Decline in Sustainability of Key Fisheries 

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) has released its 2024 Reduction Fisheries Report, revealing a significant decline in the performance of key fisheries that supply marine ingredients for fishmeal and fish oil production. 

The annual report evaluates the stock health, management quality, and overall sustainability of major Pacific and Atlantic fish stocks, with a primary focus on European and American fisheries. 

Now in its 15th edition, the 2024 report assesses 22 fish stocks (across 26 fisheries) used for reduction purposes, reflecting their status as of...

Recall Issued for Vicente Marino's Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil Due to Histamine 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Vicente Marino's anchovy fillets in olive oil due to histamine contamination.  

The anchovies were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and possibly other regions.  

The recall affects jars with a Lot # of 24171 and an expiration date of 12/2025.  

The CFIA says there have been reports of illnesses and is advising consumers not to eat, use, sell, serve, or distribute the product. The products...

Tariffs, Dollar Slump and High Crab Prices Threaten Slowdown in Consumption

Uncertain waters ahead: July tariffs and dollar decline threaten US seafood markets.

US seafood prices and supply chains are entering a period of significant uncertainty as the Trump administration's new tariffs and a weakening dollar take hold. Unless agreements are reached, tariffs on imported seafood are set to rise further starting July 8-9, reshaping the cost structure for importers and customers alike.

OAA and USDA Economic Research Service estimate that roughly 80% of U.S. seafood consumption is sourced from imports, with five countries supplying over half...

ANALYSIS: Wild Salmon Week in Review — Week 26, June 29–July 5

While stronger Copper River landings have yet to materialize, Bristol Bay continues to gain momentum. Last week recorded the largest weekly landings in the Bay since the historic 2022 run. Through statistical week 26, Bristol Bay landings reached 22.75 million fish, a 58 percent increase over the same period last year and 53 percent above the five-year average. This robust harvest has been a key driver of broader market pricing trends, as buyers shift focus to the Bay’s high-volume production. The market enters this week with attention firmly on Bristol Bay as peak harvest approaches and pricing trends continue to...

ANALYSIS: Scottish Atlantic Salmon Exhibits Market Share Growth in Some Key European Markets

The Salmon Scotland Organization announced a new UK–EU trade deal that will reduce post-Brexit difficulties and delays, which have cost exporters an estimated £3 million annually. France remains the top market, receiving 500 lorryloads of Scottish salmon weekly. According to the Salmon Scotland Organization, the sector supports 12,500 jobs and contributes £760 million to the UK economy. The Scottish sector is optimistic that this new trade agreement will reduce the time of delivery by removing physical checks. In addition, the...

Canadian Officials Detect Dermo in PEI Oysters: Province's First Confirmed Dermo Case

On July 4, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of Dermo in oyster samples collected in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island (PEI), marking the province’s first confirmed case of Dermo.

This comes after the CFIA previously confirmed the presence of Dermo in oyster samples collected in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in November 2024. Also, just last month, Newfoundland and Labrador announced its first confirmed case of Dermo in oysters.

An aquatic parasite also known as Perkinsosis, Dermo can be transmitted from oyster to...

Spotlight on Seafood Markets as Expana Adds Tuna and Lobster Forecasts

Expana has expanded its seafood market coverage with the addition of US lobster and skipjack tuna price forecasts. Building on over 15 years of expertise in seafood price forecasting, this expansion brings the total number of seafood price series to more than 60, including key species such as salmon, shrimp, cod, and crab. These new additions reinforce Expana’s position as the world’s leading provider of seafood price forecasts. 

This expansion was driven by customer feedback underscoring the critical role of seafood market coverage in the agrifood sector...

Norway to Benefit from EFTA's New Free Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR

Last week, Norway and the other European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries agreed on a new free trade agreement with the MERCOSUR countries, thereby creating a free trade area covering nearly 300 million people across eight member nations.

The newly established trade deal removes duties on almost all Norwegian exports, improving market access for various key Norwegian industries including energy, industrial goods, shipping, and seafood. Other goods not determined to be duty-free under the trade deal will see their duties gradually reduced over a period of four to...

Corbion Gains Chinese Approval for Algae-Based Omega-3 DHA Products, Unveils Executive Changes 

Corbion has secured multiple regulatory approvals from China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) for its algae-based omega-3 DHA products, allowing for expansion to the Chinese market.  

The Netherlands-based sustainable ingredients company markets its omega-3 products under the AlgaPrime™ DHA and AlgaVia™ DHA brands. Available in powder, liquid, and oil forms, Corbion says the products are designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality sustainable nutrition for humans and animals.  

“China is an important and fast-growing market for...

Trump Letters Reveal August 1 Tariff Rates for Key US Trading Partners

The Trump administration was busy after the Fourth of July holiday, as the President sent out a litany of letters to US trading partners revealing what their tariff rate would be starting on August 1.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump and members of the administration announced that letters would begin rolling out showcasing new tariff rates for countries. The letters came at a rapid pace on Monday afternoon, with messages dispatched to the leaders of Japan, South Korea and South Africa, to name a few...

Norway Sanctions Russian Fishing Giants Norebo, Murman Seafood

The Norwegian government has followed in the European Union’s footsteps and placed sanctions on Russian fishing companies Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood.

“Recently we have seen increasingly aggressive Russian hybrid campaigns against allied nations. This trend is expected to continue,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.

The minister added that both Norebo and Murman Seafood are allegedly part of a Russian state-sponsored espionage campaign and intelligence activity aimed at Norwegian underwater infrastructure and allied maritime areas.

“Such activity may facilitate future sabotage operations and threaten important Norwegian security policy...

Clean Seas Shareholders OK Yumbah Aquaculture Takeover

Earlier today, shareholders at Clean Seas Seafood Limited (Clean Seas) voted to move forward with Yumbah Aquaculture Ltd.’s (Yumbah) acquisition of the seafood company.

Both companies are based in Australia, with Yumbah operating its vertically integrated shellfish farms in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales, while Clean Seas farms its fish in the cold waters of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia.

The acquisition merges together Yumbah’s production of abalone, oysters, mussels, aquafeed, and oyster spat with Clean Seas’ farmed yellowtail kingfish.

This decision comes after Clean Seas’ initial announcement...

Russian Pollock Surimi Imports Surge in China, Japan and South Korea; US Imports Decline 

From January to May, the combined imports of frozen Alaska pollock surimi by Japan, China, and South Korea reached 69,455 metric tons, representing a 4% increase compared to the same period last year.  

Russian surimi imports surged by 37% to 31,823 metric tons, while imports from the United States fell by 13% to 37,632 metric tons. Russia now accounts for 46% of surimi imports into these three key markets, a shift largely attributed to recent investments in surimi production facilities across...

Salmon Evolution Achieves Record Production in Q2 2025 

Salmon Evolution has reported record-high production results for the second quarter of 2025.  

The land-based salmon farming company harvested 1,232 metric tons during the quarter, with an underlying biomass production of more than 1,700 metric tons. By the end of Q2, the company reached a standing biomass of 3,043 metric tons, while maintaining low mortality rates.  

Salmon Evolution also noted that all underperforming groups affected by last year’s smolt quality issues were fully harvested in Q2, highlighting that two of the groups exceeded target stocking...

Iceland Seafood International Completes Refinancing Process 

Iceland Seafood International (ISI) has completed its refinancing process, a move the company says will improve its financial position through debt restructuring and lower interest rates.  

The process began earlier this year, shortly after Expana reported that about half of ISI’s interest-bearing debt was being restructured.  

As part of the refinancing, ISI issued a new bond with a maturity of 3.5 years, reducing its short-term debt by EUR 27.6 million. While the company’s share of long-term debt has increased, the new bond carries a significantly lower interest rate of roughly...

ANALYSIS: Front-Loading Frenzy; May Shrimp Imports Increase 14.6% YTD on Tariff Deadline

Executive Summary

May shrimp import data reveals continued strong volume growth accompanied by rising replacement costs, creating a challenging market dynamic. While imports exceeded expectations across most categories, the combination of higher volumes, elevated costs, and front-loading ahead of tariff implementation, suggests significant inventory accumulation. The market faces a fundamental paradox: imports and costs are both rising, yet U.S. demand remains tepid, pointing to inevitable margin compression as the industry struggles to absorb higher costs across the supply chain without proportional demand...

US Pushes Tariff Deadline to August, Trump Administration Expects Surge in Deals

President Donald Trump said on July 6 that the US is nearing several new trade deals and that letters will be sent to trading partners by July 9, warning of increased tariffs set to take effect on August 1.

The move effectively extends the administration’s trade deadline from July 9 to August 1, giving Trump more time to finalize agreements. So far, the U.S. has signed just two deals—one with the United Kingdom and another with Vietnam, as Expana reported last week...

US House Republicans Back Amendment to Expand H-2B Visa Access for Seasonal Workers 

US House Republicans have approved an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that could significantly expand the number of seasonal migrant workers allowed into the country each year.  

The measure, which was introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Maryland), would benefit businesses reliant on the H-2B visa program. It allows employers that have hired migrant workers in the past five years — and have complied with all program requirements — to bring back the same number of...

Mexico Launches Global Center for Regenerative Aquaculture  

A new global hub dedicated to advancing regenerative aquaculture is opening in La Paz, Mexico. The Center for Applied Aquaculture Innovation (CAAI) — launched by Innovaciones Alumbra (iAlumbra) — aims to boost food security, restore ocean ecosystems, and improve coastal economic opportunities, all while focusing on sustainability. 

“Our oceans and their resources are significantly degraded. It is no longer enough to assume that sustainability alone will reverse the damage,” said Walmart heiress and iAlumbra founder Christy Walton in a statement.  “It’s time to invest significantly in advanced technologies and...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador Shatters Export Records as Tariff Uncertainty Drives Historic May Performance

Preliminary trade data shows that Ecuadorian shrimp exports achieved an unprecedented monthly milestone in May 2025, reaching 334 million pounds in commercial weight, obliterating the previous record of approximately 275 million pounds. This remarkable 21% surge above the prior peak underscores the profound impact of impending U.S. tariff decisions on global trade flows, which is occurring even as American consumer demand has returned to pre-pandemic levels following the temporary surge during the pandemic.

The May explosion propels Ecuador's year-to-date exports 16.5% above...