ANALYSIS: US April Shrimp Imports Down 16% as India Volumes Retreat Sharply

April's official US shrimp imports totaled 129.0 million lbs on an adjusted basis, landing within the product-type Expana model range of 124.8–144.4M lbs.

The headline figure held, but the composition across product types offers additional context. Peeled came in at 68.7M lbs, fractionally above the upper model estimate of 68.0M lbs. Shell-on landed at 34.0M lbs, at the lower bound of the projected range. Breaded at 11.4M lbs fell within range. Cooked was the notable deviation at 12.8M lbs, below the lower model estimate...

Wild Alaskan Company to Directly Operate Kasilof Buying Station for 2026 Salmon Season

Wild Alaskan Company will directly operate the Kasilof buying station for the upcoming salmon season, reversing its original plan to bring in an outside operator after acquiring the facility in February.

The company said it has committed the capital, personnel, and operational resources needed to prepare the facility for the 2026 season. The Kasilof station serves Alaska's second-largest sockeye salmon fishery and plays a key role in access, logistics, and value creation across the region.

"While it wasn't our original plan, we chose...

NOAA Directs $123.6M in Fishery Disaster Funds to Alaska, West Coast, and Squaxin Island Tribe

The US Department of Commerce announced Tuesday the allocation of $123.6 million in fishery resource disaster funding, drawn from money appropriated by Congress in the American Relief Act of 2025. The funds are directed at fishery disasters that struck Oregon, California, Alaska, and the Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington between 2019 and 2023.

NOAA Fisheries used commercial revenue loss data to determine how funding will be distributed across the eligible disasters. Funds can be deployed for a range of recovery activities, including fishery infrastructure...

What a Super El Niño Could Mean for Alaska's Seabirds, Salmon, and Seas

With the declaration of an El Niño last week and forecasts that it will intensify into a "Super El Niño" this winter, US Geological Survey (USGS) researchers are tracking how warming waters threaten Alaska's ecosystems — from seabird die-offs and harmful algal blooms to heat-stressed salmon.

In the US, El Niño brings warmer conditions to northern states and wetter conditions to southern states, but the phenomenon's energy also affects seabed ecosystems and atmospheric conditions. Because peak El Niño is expected during winter 2026-2027, effects...

Expana's Publication Schedule for Juneteenth, June 19, 2026

Expana will be observing the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19, across its Americas offices. This holiday schedule will impact the publication dates of several Expana Benchmark Prices and some news.

The European and APAC offices’ publication schedules will be unaffected by this holiday. Regular publishing schedules will resume on Monday, June 22, 2026.

The Juneteenth holiday period will affect the following markets...

Americold Opens New Cold Chain Hub at Port Saint John, Expanding Global Trade Connections

Americold Realty Trust has opened a new import-export hub at Port Saint John, strengthening links between North American producers and international markets while advancing temperature-controlled logistics in Canada.

Unveiled during Port Days 2026, the facility was developed with DP World and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). The project combines cold storage, maritime logistics and rail transportation in a single location, creating what the companies describe as the first integrated operation of its kind globally...

Norcod Secures Exclusive Five-Year Juvenile Supply Deal with Havland

Norwegian cod farmer Norcod has signed a five-year agreement with juvenile supplier Havland, under which Havland will supply all of its cod juveniles exclusively to Norcod.

The deal deepens a relationship that stretches back to 2018, when the two companies began working together to rebuild cod farming in Norway. In 2021, they entered a joint venture to establish a cod hatchery in Florø, supporting the next phase of growth for the sector.

"Havland has for many years been, and continues to be, an important partner for Norcod...

Brands Compete on Value, Experience and Summer Promotions in Foodservice

Rising prices, shifting consumer expectations and seasonal marketing pushes are shaping the latest moves across foodservice. From affordability and customer satisfaction trends to global expansion, soccer-themed promotions and summer menu innovation, restaurant brands are refining how they attract traffic, build loyalty and compete for consumer spending.

With fast-food costs climbing and value under greater scrutiny, new studies highlight how affordability and customer satisfaction are shaping consumer choices.

A new WalletHub study finds fast food is becoming less affordable, with sharp state-by-state differences...

Pokeworks Expands Limited-Time Menu Strategy with New High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl

Pokeworks is tapping into growing consumer demand for protein-forward menu options with the launch of its new High-Protein Surf & Turf Bowl, available for a limited time across participating locations nationwide.

The fast-casual poke brand's latest limited-time offering combines premium ahi tuna and chicken breast in a single entrée designed to appeal to guests seeking higher-protein meal options without sacrificing flavor or customization. The bowl delivers 44 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber, pairing...

ANALYSIS: European Pollock Imports Slip 5.2% YTD, Prices Rise on Supply Constraints

Imports of frozen pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fillets into Europe (European Union and United Kingdom) decreased 5.2% year-to-date through March 2026, reaching 71,694 metric tonnes, according to National Customs. Russia remains the main supplier to Europe with a 49.8% market share, followed by the US (30.5%) and China (19.4%). Pollock fillet trade to Europe is slowing, with volumes from the US and China down 17.5% and 21.3% respectively compared to the same period last year (see Figure 1)...

Dual Ocean Threats Put West Coast Fisheries, Marine Life on Notice

Two major ocean phenomena off the US West Coast will affect salmon, rockfish, squid, tuna, and crab fisheries, as well as whales, California sea lions, and seabirds, in the coming months. NOAA has tracked a large marine heatwave for a year now, and last week announced that a separate strong El Niño has been building and is expected to peak in the coming winter of 2026–2027.

The Pacific Ocean's El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is arguably the most influential climate driver on Earth, NOAA scientists say...

Lawmakers Tell NSF to Halt Ocean Sensor Removal, Merkley Calling It "Supreme Stupidity"

With a super El Niño developing in the Pacific and wildfire forecasts at alarming levels across western states, the National Science Foundation (NSF) last month announced plans to remove the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) — a network of 900 ocean monitoring instruments that provides critical data for coastal communities, fishermen, and nationwide emergency preparedness. The system was implemented in 2016 at a cost of $388 million and was designed to operate for at least 30 years...

Japan's Mackerel Export Increased 2.9-Fold in April, Exceeding JPY 4 Billion

According to a Minato Shimbun report, Japan's exports of frozen mackerel doubled year-over-year (YOY) in April, reaching 15,814 tons. Strong exports to Vietnam and Africa, the largest destinations, drove this increase and marked the first time exports have exceeded 15,000 tons in approximately four years.

Good catches from Kyushu were the main driver. Meanwhile, the average export price rose 44% to 257 yen/kg ($1.60/kg), the second highest on record after 273 yen/kg...

Nestlé Purina Expands Use of MSC-Certified Fish in Gourmet Perle Relaunch

Nestlé Purina is widening the footprint of MSC-certified seafood in Europe with the relaunch of its Gourmet Perle cat food range across close to 30 markets, marking a fresh phase in its collaboration with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

The updated portfolio includes selected Ocean Flakes recipes made with fish sourced from MSC-certified fisheries, bringing sustainability credentials into one of Europe’s most established premium pet food brands. The expansion places certified sustainable seafood in front of millions of consumers...

Hilton Foods Appoints Mark Clare as Board Chair, Confirms Leadership Transition

On Tuesday, Hilton Foods announced the appointment of Mark Clare as Independent Non-executive Chair of the company’s Board.

Clare is an experienced public company leader, having served as a Chief Executive, Board Chair, Senior Independent Director and Non-executive Director. He currently sits on the Boards of Wickes Group Plc, where he chairs the Remuneration Committee, and Drax Group plc. He has previously held chair roles at Grainger plc, Aggreko and Ricardo, as well as Senior Independent and audit committee...

Private Brands Gain Momentum as Quality, Health Drive Shopper Loyalty, FMI Reports

Private brands/labels continue to build market share and consumer loyalty, with new research from FMI showing shoppers are increasingly choosing store brands for quality, taste and health benefits and not just value.

According to FMI’s Power of Private Brands 2026: Consumer Trends – From Stores to Homes report, 92% of US grocery shoppers currently have store brand products in their homes, up from 89% last year. Private brand dollar sales also increased 2.8% year-over-year (YOY), outpacing national brand...

Federal Judge Denies Bumble Bee Motion to Dismiss Forced Labor Case

A California federal judge has denied Bumble Bee Foods' motion to reconsider her earlier ruling allowing an Indonesian fishermen's human trafficking lawsuit to proceed.

Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant's June 11 order acknowledged that her previous ruling incorrectly stated that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had definitively held that trafficking claims apply to overseas conduct, when the appeals court had only "assumed without deciding" this point.

Despite the correction, Bashant maintained that the four Indonesian plaintiffs can pursue claims under the...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

This week’s Top 10 highlights the key risks, policy developments and market shifts shaping the agri-food landscape, from biosecurity threats and farm labor reform to fertilizer costs, cocoa competition and resilient consumer demand. From the spread of New World screwworm in the US and proposed changes to the H-2A program, to private label growth, Father’s Day meat promotions and climate risks facing West Coast fisheries, these are the stories driving markets this week. This list is in no particular order. 

Find archived recaps here.

10. Private labels continue...

Russian Crab Exports Hit Record High in First Five Months of 2026

Russian crab exports reached record levels in the first five months of 2026, driven by stable demand and a generally favorable market environment.

According to the Russian Federal Center for Agroexports — the agency responsible for monitoring agricultural exports from Russia — shipments from January through May totaled nearly 34,000 tons (live, fresh, chilled, and frozen), up 11% compared to the same period in 2025. Export revenue climbed 26% to $930 million. Both figures set records for the January–May period...

Machina Launches Performance‑Driven TV Campaign for Get Maine Lobster

Machina, an insight‑driven advisory focused on performance marketing across linear television, CTV, broadcast, and streaming platforms, announced the launch of a 30‑second spot for Black Point Seafood’s Get Maine Lobster (GML).

The campaign marks GML’s debut in television advertising and underscores the brand’s move into AI‑driven performance marketing for the direct‑to‑consumer channel.

“The Get Maine Lobster campaign proves that with the right technology, the right strategic partners, and a founder willing to make the leap, performance TV can deliver extraordinary results", said Machina's Managing Director Michael Pierce.

Aysén Agencies, Salmon Farmers Test HAB Mass Mortality Response in Joint Simulation

Chile’s Aysén region is stepping up contingency planning for large-scale aquaculture emergencies, with  the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) participating in a simulation tied to a salmon mass mortality event caused by a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB).

The exercise, organized by the Inter-Institutional Committee on Environmental Contingencies (CIICA), brought together public agencies and local salmon farming companies to test how the sector would respond to a complex event involving logistical constraints, high mortality management and communication...

Seafish Unveils 2026-27 Annual Plan Focused on Workforce, Trade and Supply Chain Resilience

Seafish, the UK public body supporting the seafood industry, has released its 2026-27 Annual Plan, outlining three strategic priorities: a safe and skilled workforce, a smoother and expanding seafood trade, and a resilient supply chain.

CEO Colin Faulkner, who joined the organization in January 2026, described the plan as arriving during a period of "significant change" for UK seafood sectors and acknowledged that Seafish needs to "rebuild and strengthen trust" with its stakeholders — an unusually candid admission for a public body...

Boudreaux's Brand Owner Sues Former Licensee Over Trademark Counterfeiting and UPC Code Theft

Gulf Marine Products Co., Inc. (GMP), the Westwego, Louisiana-based owner of the Boudreaux's seafood brand and crawfish importer, has filed a federal lawsuit against a former business partner, alleging trademark counterfeiting and the deliberate misappropriation of its retail product codes after a two-decade licensing relationship collapsed.

The complaint, filed June 12 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, names A La Carte Specialty Foods, L.L.C. (ALC) and its sole member Karl D. Turner as defendants. GMP is seeking...

Trump Arctic Official Pitches Greenland Annexation as Lifeline for Red Lobster

A senior Trump administration official pushing for US control of Greenland has added an unlikely argument to his case: restocking Red Lobster.

Thomas Dans, the White House's Arctic affairs point man, argued this week that annexing Greenland would allow the US to directly tap the island's rich fisheries — cutting out foreign middlemen and keeping product away from China. "My view is that the United States could take all the seafood Greenland could produce, and cut out the middleman, and keep it from China," Dans told The New Yorker.

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Grilling Highlights Resilient Spending and Selective Buying

For Father’s Day weekend 2026, retailers are leaning heavily into the holiday’s long-standing grilling tradition. This year’s promotions are taking place against a backdrop of persistent inflation and a consumer who remains willing to spend on special occasions despite pressure on household budgets.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Father’s Day spending is projected to reach a record $27.9 billion. Consumers plan to spend an average of $226.58 per person, even as many households contend with higher costs for utilities and other everyday expenses...

King Oscar Expands Premium Tinned Seafood Portfolio with New Smoked Mussels

Social media has helped transform tinned fish from a pantry staple into a lifestyle food category, with consumers embracing premium seafood products through recipes, "girl dinner" trends, and wellness-focused meal ideas like the "Tiffany plate". The growing interest has prompted seafood brands to expand their offerings with new flavors and formats.

In recent years, brands across the category have introduced products aimed at attracting new consumers. Last year, King Oscar launched its Sweet Thai Chili Mackerel, while Fishwife expanded its portfolio with Mussels in Sweet...

Scottish Salmon Farmers to Fund Wild Fish Conservation Following Escape Incidents Under New Deal

Scotland's farmed salmon industry will help finance wild fish conservation efforts in the event of escape incidents, under a new agreement between Salmon Scotland and Fisheries Management Scotland, the country's leading fisheries body.

The Scottish Government has welcomed the deal as an example of cross-sector collaboration in support of wild salmon recovery. An independent firm will administer the scheme, with directors drawn from both the aquaculture and wild fisheries management sectors...

ANALYSIS: Chile Controls 70% of US Fresh Salmon Imports as Norwegian Supply Falls 35%

Chile controls more than 70% of US fresh salmon fillet imports, Norwegian supply is down more than a third year-over-year, and a 12.5% tariff deadline is six weeks out. Despite all of that, the fresh benchmark is drifting lower and buyers are hesitant to commit. The frozen market, running below a three-year average in volume, is the steadier of the two. Understanding why requires looking past the price series and into how Chilean producers get paid...

Indonesia Secures EU Aquaculture Market Re-entry After Regulatory Gap

Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has confirmed the country is back on the European Union's authorized list of aquaculture exporters, closing a market access gap that had unsettled industry players and put a key export corridor at risk.

The re-entry was formalized through EU Commission Implementing Regulation No. 2026/1189, enacted June 4, 2026, after Indonesia had been left off the original list published under Regulation (EU) 2024/2598. The KKP's quality and supervision agency (Badan Mutu) said the outcome was the result of sustained engagement...

SAWA Bill Would Reshape US Farmer's Labor Costs

As of June 15, a newly proposed bill called "Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act" (SAWA) would update the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program via changes related to worker eligibility, wage calculations, and administrative procedures, reported Fresh Plaza about a topic that would impact US vegetable growers, and other ag market participants as pressure builds to modernize the temporary visa program for farm labor.