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...

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...

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...

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...

Brazilian States Take Action on Imported Vietnamese Tilapia as Industry Pushes for Fair Competition

Two Brazilian states have introduced measures affecting imported Vietnamese tilapia, marking a win for domestic fish farmers who have raised concerns about competition and production safeguards.

São Paulo announced on June 2 that it will publish a decree establishing an ICMS tax rate on imported tilapia fillet, a move expected to impact the product's competitiveness in Brazil's largest consumer market.

The following day, Pernambuco's Agricultural Defense and Inspection Agency (ADAGRO) issued an ordinance suspending the sale of fish products considered a potential health risk to the...

NL and Seafood Industry Seeks Federal Support to Maintain Marine Atlantic's Essential Service Status

The Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government has called for federal help to ensure the Marine Atlantic ferry service remains an "essential service" within the province.

NL Premier Tony Wakeham wrote to the federal Minister of Transport to express concern over an application currently before the Canada Industrial Relations Board that would reconsider Marine Atlantic's "essential service" designation.

"Marine Atlantic is more than a ferry service. It is a critical supply chain and transportation link for Newfoundland and Labrador, and the primary means of moving essential...

ANALYSIS: Copper River Sockeye Prices Decline Faster Than Last Year

Early Copper River market behavior continues to follow a familiar seasonal path, with initial scarcity-driven premiums giving way to lower pricing as additional fish enter the pipeline. Last week’s trade already showed the market beginning to normalize after the opening rush, and the latest quotations suggest that the correction has continued as expected.

For 4–6 lb. whole Copper River sockeye, the reported average price moved from $16.00/lb on 26-May to $12.00/lb on 28-May, before falling again to $10.00/lb on...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending June 5, 2026

As the Iran war heads into its fourth month, Hezbollah rejected a US-brokered ceasefire proposal in Lebanon, while Israel said it would continue operations and not withdraw troops, despite Trump’s claims of progress toward a wider regional peace effort involving Iran.

Meanwhile, fighting and strikes continue across Lebanon, Gaza, and the Gulf region, with tensions persisting around key energy routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Below is Expana’s weekly summary of the war’s most significant effects on global commodities. For the latest real-time updates, follow the Middle East Conflict tag...

Japan: Alaska Black Cod Price Has Risen 22% Year-On-Year

The domestic market price of 4/5-pound black cod from Alaska rose from approximately 1,800 yen/kg ($11.25/kg) to 2,200 yen/kg ($13.75/kg) this spring. This is believed to be due to producers' demands for price increases in recent years, as well as the general rise in prices of fatty fish species. Looking ahead, "there are many uncertain factors, and it's impossible to predict until autumn deepens," according to a distributor, reported Minato Shimbun. 

Japan is a major consumer of US black cod...

Russia Targets US, China Market Share in Japanese Fish Imports

Russia hopes to further increase fish and seafood exports to Japan, aiming to overtake major rivals—the US and China—in the coming years.

For 2026, Russia's fish exports to Japan decreased by 4% in volume during the January–April period, while revenue from those exports increased by 2% to US$249 million. Export volumes totaled 32,000 tons, according to the Russian Fish Union based on Japanese customs statistics.

Surimi shipments rose 5% to 8,000 tons and increased 20% in value to US$20 million. Pollock fillet...

Fresh Promotions Power Summer Traffic Push Across Foodservice

Summer marketing is heating up across foodservice, with major chains leaning into value, nostalgia, loyalty and limited‑time offers to drive traffic amid cautious consumer spending. This week’s roundup highlights gamified rewards programs, family‑focused promotions and global sports tie‑ins, alongside notable menu upgrades centered on sourcing and sustainability. The update also covers strategic moves shaping the industry, from franchise expansion and new delivery integrations to heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential M&A activity as restaurant operators navigate shifting demand and competitive...

Quinlan Sues Newfoundland Government Over 2024 Seizure of $500K Worth of Crab

Canadian seafood processor Quinlan has filed suit in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador against the province's Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, seeking damages from the seizure and destruction of snow crab in July 2024.

The lawsuit alleges government officials acted "without lawful authority" when they seized and destroyed approximately 52,000 pounds of processed crab ready for market, causing substantial financial losses estimated at $500,000 and significant harm to the company's reputation.

"This action is not about the current government, and it should not come...

ANALYSIS: Vietnam Shrimp Exports Rebound in Q1, Driven by China Demand and Seasonal Recovery

Vietnam’s shrimp exports delivered a solid performance in the first quarter, with volumes rising 11.4% year‑on‑year to 66,890 metric tonnes and export value increasing 8.7% to USD 534.4 million.

Growth was driven primarily by China, where Vietnamese shrimp demand surged 42.4% year‑on‑year over the quarter. In March alone, shipments to China nearly doubled, climbing from 2,639 MT last year to 5,724 MT (+46.1%). China accounted for 19% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports in Q1. The EU‑UK market represented...

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...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Health, trade, and affordability shaped the week's biggest stories. Steak n’ Shake advanced its health-focused strategy with a shift to 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, while the first US detection of New World Screwworm in decades heightened biosecurity concerns across the livestock sector. Meanwhile, PepsiCo and Cargill invested in product innovation and manufacturing capacity to meet evolving consumer demand, as trade disruptions, new US customs enforcement measures, and tariff proposals added uncertainty to global supply chains. Retailers, meanwhile, returned their focus to everyday value and staple proteins as summer demand builds. This list is in no particular order.

Norwegian Seafood Exports Face Continued US Market Pressure in May

Norwegian seafood exports declined 1% in May to NOK 13.4 billion, marking the fourth month of value decline in 2026 as US market losses and quota-driven volume reductions continue to pressure the industry.

US Market Losses Mount

The United States remains Norway's most challenging export market, with May exports falling NOK 363 million to NOK 992 million, a 27% decline from May 2025. The US has now become Norway's third-largest market, down from previous rankings.

"The US market has seen the sharpest decline...

Trump Customs Order Tightens US Import Scrutiny as Tariff Fight Broadens

On June 3, US President Trump signed an executive order on customs enforcement that broadens the US trade crackdown beyond tariff rates and into the mechanics of how goods enter the country, according to the White House document.

The US President signed the order while all eyes were watching USTR Section 301 announcements, checking tariff exceptions, and anticipating the US tariff schedule as the trade team readies to switch from current Section 122 duties to Section 301 measures aimed to bring “reciprocal” tariff rates back to life.

USDA Awards $848,160 Catfish Contract to Single Mississippi Producer

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded its 192,000-pound catfish procurement to Consolidated Catfish Producers LLC of Isola, Mississippi, for $848,160, following a solicitation that drew seven bidder responses.

The May 21 award covers 152,000 pounds of unbreaded raw catfish fillets at $4.08 per pound and 40,000 pounds of breaded oven-ready catfish strips at $5.70 per pound. Deliveries will run from July 1 through November 30, 2026, serving domestic food distribution programs across multiple states...

Industry Applauds FDA Approval of "Golden Sea Bream" Marketing Name for Rhode Island Scup

The US Food and Drug Administration will allow scup caught in Rhode Island waters to be marketed as "Golden Sea Bream," a change expected to boost marketability and profitability for local fishermen.

Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) secured the approval through language included in the FY26 Agriculture appropriations bill signed into law earlier this year. The FDA subsequently confirmed "Golden Sea Bream" as an acceptable market name, with the update reflected in the July 2026 Seafood List publication...

FAIRR Seafood Benchmark Exposes Industry ESG Weaknesses, Pollution Risks

The $95 trillion FAIRR Initiative launched its inaugural Coller FAIRR Seafood Index, revealing significant environmental and social risk management gaps across the world's 20 largest listed seafood companies that supply major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Ahold Delhaize.

The benchmark assessed companies on 16 financially material topics, including modern slavery, pollution, food safety, and climate impacts, challenging positive perceptions of sustainability in the seafood sector and revealing weak corporate preparedness for mounting regulatory and litigation risks.

Companies demonstrated stronger performance on social issues, averaging 39/100, compared to environmental topics...

America Turns 250. Shuckin' Shack is Throwing the Party.

America is turning 250, and Shuckin' Shack, the 18-unit oyster bar franchise, is celebrating the only way it knows how: with cold drinks, hot food, fresh oysters and absolutely zero interest in doing anything halfway. Packed to the brim with seafood, burgers, BBQ, beer buckets, American cocktails and enough "Red, White & Blooze" energy to make a bald eagle shed a tear, Shuckin' Shack's Summer 2026 Campaign, kicking off June 1, is making beach-loving, oyster-shucking American dreams come true...

Oregon Coastal Lawmakers Urge DEQ to Ease Pressure on Pacific Seafood Amid $3.2M Fine

A bipartisan group of Oregon coastal lawmakers is asking the state's Department of Environmental Quality to ease regulatory pressure on Pacific Seafood, which faces a near-record $3.2 million fine for alleged wastewater violations.

In a May 20 letter to DEQ Director Leah Feldon, seven members of Oregon's Coastal Caucus expressed support for Pacific Seafood's appeal of the April penalties and requested that DEQ stay enforcement while the company challenges the fines.

The enforcement action targeted three Pacific Seafood facilities: $2.9 million against the Charleston...

USTR Proposes 25% Tariff on Brazil, Sparking Seafood Industry Concerns

The US Trade Representative (USTR) proposed a 25% tariff on Brazil, citing a Section 301 investigation that found unfair trade practices have burdened US businesses.

"Over the past year, President Trump and I have had several constructive meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his cabinet, which have accelerated in recent weeks," said Ambassador Jamieson Greer. "However, we continue to have substantial differences in resolving the issues identified in this investigation."

The announcement sparked immediate concern from Brazil's Peixe BR, the Brazilian Association of Fish Farming...