Winding Glass: Section 301 Tariffs Set to Permanently Twist Seafood Trade

The recent headline that section 301 seafood tariffs will reach $2.9 billion does not tell the industry story. The headline number is the result of an 11.4% blended tariff calculation applied to the value of goods shipped by 60 targeted countries to the US in 2025. That is one result of the Section 301 forced-labor duties proposed by the US Trade Representative on June 2. It is more than the roughly $2.2 billion importers paid last year, most of it under the IEEPA tariffs the Supreme...

The Crab Market's Next Test: Can Demand Absorb the Coming Snow Crab Surge?

The global crab market is entering a more compressed phase in 2026, where production is no longer the primary concern. The challenge has shifted toward timing, distribution, and the industry's ability to move volume through increasingly selective consumer channels. While overall supply remains available across several key producing regions, the normal seasonal flow of product is becoming disrupted, creating the potential for sales compression later in the year.

The most immediate example is Canadian snow crab. Despite another large quota and strong harvest potential, weather delays...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Price Spreads Reach Historical Extremes Across Product Segments

Price differentials between shrimp segments have reached notable levels, warranting examination in their historical context. Current spread analysis reveals significant deviations from established patterns across multiple product categories.

The spread between EZ Peel (Asia) and HLSO (Latin America) has reached a record high at $4.82 versus $3.81, representing a differential that exceeds historical ranges. Meanwhile, the spread between PDTO and EZ Peel had approached record lows but has since recovered to $5.38 versus $4.82, or $0.57, appearing to settle within recent historical thresholds...

South Carolina's Mace Introduces SHRIMP Act to Combat Shrimp Fraud with Chemical Testing

Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the SHRIMP Act on June 5, directing federal agencies to develop portable, chemical testing technology that can identify the country of origin of shrimp imports.

The legislation represents another push by Gulf Coast lawmakers to target foreign shrimp competition, following the House passage of the bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act in May by a 391-18 margin.

Mace's SHRIMP (Shrimp Honesty and Responsibility in Import Monitoring Protocols) Act would task NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, working with...

NOAA Taps University of New Hampshire to Lead $13.5M Aquaculture Research Push

NOAA has selected the University of New Hampshire to host a new national research hub aimed at strengthening US aquaculture and boosting American seafood competitiveness.

The new NOAA Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM) will operate as a five-year cooperative institute, bringing together leading academic, industry and nonprofit partners to advance marine aquaculture science and market development. Roughly $13.5 million will be available in the first year to support research projects once the institute is...

Norwegian Seafood Council Taps Summer Soccer Spotlight to Boost US Demand for Seafood from Norway

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is rolling out a national consumer marketing push across the US this summer, timed to "this summer’s biggest international soccer moment." Anchored by a national digital buy, the integrated campaign aims to raise awareness of Seafood from Norway and position it at the intersection of health, sports and shared dining moments.

The timing is deliberate; NSC says the campaign will help retailers, restaurants and suppliers engage shoppers and diners looking for premium, provenance-driven...

Canada Secures New Seafood Export Openings Across Five Global Markets

Canada is expanding export opportunities for its fish, seafood and aquatic products sector after securing new and renewed market access in Vietnam, Oman, Brazil, Armenia and Costa Rica. The developments, led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), are expected to support trade diversification and strengthen the global reach of Canadian exporters.

Among the most significant gains is the restoration of access to Vietnam for chilled and frozen finfish fillets and steaks after the country accepted a Canadian health certificate. The move reopens...

Nissui Joins NAPA, Adding Global Weight to Calls for Science‑Based Atlantic Fisheries Management

Global seafood giant Nissui has joined the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA), strengthening industry pressure on coastal states to restore sustainable management of key Northeast Atlantic fish stocks.

Founded in 2020, NAPA is an international collaboration of seafood companies across retail, food service, processing, aquaculture and feed. Its 55 members are working to restore Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for Atlantic mackerel, Atlantic Scandian herring and blue whiting—stocks that have lost certification since 2019 due to persistent overfishing and...

Korean Tuna Giant Sajo Expands Sustainability Push Beyond MSC Certification

South Korea's Sajo Industries is leveraging its Marine Stewardship Council certification achievement to advance broader sustainability initiatives across its global tuna operations, including pioneering electronic monitoring and human rights due diligence programs.

The company secured MSC certification for 28 longline vessels operating in Eastern and Western Pacific waters last year, marking the first Korean tuna operation to achieve the standard. CEO Chi-Gon Kim called the certification "a starting point for our work, not an end destination," emphasizing that environmental and social accountability form the foundation of the business...

Bipartisan Senate Bill Targets Flag of Convenience Loophole in Illegal Fishing

Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced bipartisan legislation last week to close vessel-flagging loopholes that enable illegal fishing operations to flood US markets with untraceable seafood.

The Protecting US Fishers from Illegal Foreign Flags Act would hold illegal fishers accountable for using "flags of convenience" – registering vessels in countries with weak oversight to avoid environmental and labor standards while operating in international waters.

"Flags of convenience enable IUU fishing by allowing vessels to dodge oversight, further exposing American consumers...

Norway Scraps Aquaculture Price Council After Industry Pressure

Norway's parliament voted to abolish the Aquaculture Price Council last week, ending a controversial taxation mechanism that the salmon farming industry had long criticized.

Seafood Norway CEO Geir Ove Ystmark called the Storting's decision "correct and long-awaited," arguing the council applied petroleum and hydropower tax models unsuitably to aquaculture. The council set theoretical monthly benchmark prices for determining taxable revenues, but Ystmark said this created a "theoretical average tax that attempts to find a market price that does not actually exist...

UNFI Posts Higher Profitability and Cash Flow in Fiscal Q3 Despite Sales Decline

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results showing improved profitability, stronger cash flow and continued progress on operational initiatives, even as net sales declined year over year (YOY) due largely to ongoing optimization efforts.

For the 13-week period ended May 2, 2026, net sales totaled $7.7 billion, down 4.2% YOY. The company said the result included an approximately 450-basis-point impact from optimization actions.

Net income reached $33 million, or $0.52 per...

House Passes Larsen Bill to Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

The US House has overwhelmingly passed legislation to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission for another seven years, backing a long-running, community-driven effort to restore marine habitats in Puget Sound. The bill, led by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), cleared the chamber on a 374–49 vote.

“The Commission’s bottom-up approach has ensured that local communities have the resources and expertise they need to keep marine habitats healthy,” Larsen said, noting its role in recovering threatened species “including Southern Resident Killer Whales...

Japan Kamaboko Association Petitions Fisheries Agency on Surimi Supply Stability

According to a report from Minato Shimbun, the Japan Kamaboko Association's Chairman, Kazuo Abe, visited the Fisheries Agency on June 4th and submitted a petition to Director-General Hitoshi Fujita, strongly urging the maintenance of a stable supply of surimi products. The petition requested comprehensive support from the government due to supply constraints in both surimi and packaging materials resulting from the situation in the Middle East. The request also included a temporary relaxation of labeling rules due to changes in the fish species used as raw material for surimi...

UMass Dartmouth Survey Find Promisings Early Signs for Gulf of Maine Cod

Researchers from the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology have returned from a 10-day Spring 2026 Gulf of Maine video trawl survey with encouraging preliminary indications for Atlantic cod, a species that has long been central to New England’s fishing heritage.

The Spring 2026 video trawl survey, conducted in partnership with commercial fishermen and supported by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, collected roughly 65 hours of underwater footage that will now be analyzed to identify and count fish species across...

Newsan Completes Glaciar Pesquera Acquisition, Adds Patagonian Scallops

Argentine conglomerate Newsan has acquired Glaciar Pesquera from Canada's Clearwater Seafoods, adding Patagonian scallops to its seafood portfolio along with two factory vessels, Ushuaia operations, and a French logistics base. The deal was announced Thursday, according to Mar y Pesca Noticias Patagónicas.

Newsan said in a statement that the addition of Glaciar Pesquera, which was founded by Canada-based Clearwater Seafoods and Eduardo Gonzalez Lemmi, an Argentine fishing entrepreneur, will add Patagonian scallops to its product portfolio, per Infobae. The acquisition also adds an operations center in France, strengthening its global distribution...

Russia's Pacific Capelin Catch Surges 62% Above Entire 2025 Total

Russia is experiencing a Pacific capelin catch boom this year, with January–May catches exceeding 2025 totals by more than 62%.

Catch volumes reached 13,000 tons, according to the All-Russian Association of Fishery Producers (VARPE). By comparison, 2025's total catch was 7,600 tons, down 23% year-on-year and marking a ten-year low.

Aleksandr Savelyev, head of the Russian Fisheries Information Agency, told Russian business paper Kommersant the catch increase stems primarily from growing capelin stocks. He noted that capelin populations fluctuate annually depending on natural and...

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Grill Deals Heat Up as Inflation Pressures Mount

Father’s Day, the second major grilling occasion of the summer season, is less than two weeks away and serves as a promotional bridge between Memorial Day and Independence Day.

With just 11 days remaining until the holiday, grocers are merchandising a wide assortment of meat, poultry, seafood, and complementary food items aimed at outdoor cooking and family gatherings.

Retailers are competing not only with one another for Father’s Day meal spending, but also with restaurants as they seek to encourage consumers to celebrate at home...

Captain D's Eyes Western Europe Expansion with Master Franchise Push in Spain, Portugal and France 

Captain D's, the leading U.S. fast-casual seafood franchise, is taking its European ambitions to the next level this summer. Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development Hair Parra will travel to Spain, Portugal and France from June 15 through July 1 to meet with prospective franchise partners looking to develop the brand across Western Europe.

The visit marks the company's next move after recently securing a 20-unit development agreement in the United Kingdom. During the trip, Parra will meet...

ASMI Launches UK Campaign Tying Wild Salmon Season to New Seattle-London Flight Route

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has rolled out its "First Flight, First Catch" campaign in the UK market, leveraging the new daily Alaska Airlines service between Seattle and London Heathrow to promote the availability of fresh wild Alaska salmon.

The multi-faceted campaign coincides with the opening of Alaska's commercial salmon harvest and includes partnerships with Whole Foods Market featuring in-store demonstrations by fisherman Thea Thomas, a media and trade supper club event at London's historic Fishmonger's Hall, and targeted influencer and social media outreach...

Voskhod Sale to Investment Holding Signals Russian Salmon M&A Activity

Russia's salmon sector may face a new wave of consolidation and ownership changes among major local players in the years to come.

An example is Voskhod, one of Russia's largest Pacific salmon producers, which was reportedly sold to JSC Innovative Company NZ, a Russian investment holding.

The Voskhod fishery holding is currently one of Russia's largest Pacific salmon producers, with operations concentrated mainly in Kamchatka Krai. The company operates 30 fishing sites, six factories, and over 35 vessels. This capacity allows it to produce over 24,000...

House Agriculture Panel Weighs USMCA Future as July 1 Deadline Expected to Pass

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday titled "Agricultural Perspectives on the Future of the USMCA" as the US, Mexico and Canada are expected to blow past the July 1 deadline to renew the trade agreement, according to Bloomberg. The missed milestone will trigger rolling annual reviews instead of a 16-year extension, creating extended uncertainty for agricultural trade across North America.

The June 10 hearing comes as agriculture emerges as a major factor in the USMCA review process...

Commerce Amends Thai Shrimp Dumping Duties After Ministerial Error Claims

The Commerce Department has amended its final results in the 2023-2024 antidumping review of frozen warmwater shrimp from Thailand, correcting ministerial errors that affected dumping margin calculations for major Thai exporters.

Thai Union Group's weighted-average dumping margin was adjusted to 1.24%, while the adverse facts available rate for Charoen Pokphand Foods increased to 26.66% from 17.38%. The errors involved omitting the programming language for importer-specific assessment rates and assigning incorrect surrogate costs to certain control numbers...

Norwegian Seafood Council Pushes Street Food Innovation for UK Fish and Chip Shops

The Norwegian Seafood Council is encouraging British fish and chip shops to embrace street food trends as a growth strategy, showcasing globally inspired Norwegian whitefish dishes at a recent London Inspiration Day for National Fish & Chip Awards winners.

Michelin-starred chef Simon Hulstone demonstrated recipes, including crispy haddock hot dogs, poppadom-encrusted saithe, and nori-wrapped tempura cod, designed to complement traditional menus without replacing core offerings. The initiative targets changing consumer preferences, with 54% interested in unique dining experiences and 75% describing themselves as...

Nomad Foods Appoints Dior Decupper as President of Central Europe

Europe’s frozen food company, Nomad Foods, has appointed Dior Decupper as President Central Europe, effective immediately. Decupper joins the company’s Executive Team and will report to Chief Executive Officer Dominic Brisby.

In the role, she will oversee Nomad Foods’ commercial operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. The portfolio includes the company’s flagship frozen food brands iglo and Findus. Her mandate will center on strengthening local market performance, sharpening commercial execution and advancing the company’s broader strategic priorities across the...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Exports Surge Amid Harvest Declines

Norwegian Atlantic salmon harvest dropped 6.6% year-over-year (YOY) in April 2026, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. The harvest level through April was 2.6% higher year-to-date (YTD). Continuing recent trends, stock biomass remained 1.7% lower YOY (Figure 1). Despite the slowdown in harvest compared to the previous month, down 4.2% month-over-month (MOM) in April, market participants reported adequate to fully adequate supply levels...

Chile Posts 13% Fisheries Growth in 2025 as Jack Mackerel, Sardine Surge; Salmon Dominates Farming

Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) reported total sector landings of 4.51 million tons in 2025, marking a 13% increase from the previous year as both wild-capture and farmed production expanded across major species categories.

The annual statistics, released on June 3, show that industrial fishing contributed 1.27 million tons, while artisanal operations landed 1.72 million tons. Aquaculture harvests reached 1.53 million tons, with the combined sectors reflecting broad-based growth across Chile's fishing regions...

House Bill Would Subject Marine Monument Fishing to Magnuson-Stevens Rules

The House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries examined legislation on June 3 that would require fishing in marine national monuments to follow federal fisheries management standards, along with measures expanding Alaska Native sea otter harvesting rights and Gulf state waters.

Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen's (R-American Samoa) H.R. 8904 would codify that fishing in marine national monuments designated under the Antiquities Act must be regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The measure aims to maintain US fisheries management standards while ensuring responsible access to resources...

Nissui Raises Shipping Prices Up to 30% on Frozen Foods, Fish Products

Japanese seafood giant Nissui announced June 1 that it will increase shipping prices on household frozen foods, processed fish products, and commercial frozen foods effective September 1, 2026.

The price increases range from 2% to 30%, depending on product category, with household processed foods, including chikuwa, crab-flavored kamaboko, and fish sausage, seeing 5-17% increases. Household prepared frozen foods and frozen agricultural products will increase 2-17%, while some commercial frozen foods face increases of up to 30%...

European Commission Approves €25 Million Spanish Fuel Aid for Fishing Companies

The European Commission approved a €25 million ($29.9 million) Spanish state aid scheme to support fishing companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis.

The scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on April 29, 2026, the EC said in a press release Tuesday.

Under the Spanish program, companies engaged in primary fishery production can receive direct grants of €0.20 for each liter of diesel purchased from March 22 through June 30...