Trump Places 35% Tariff on Canadian Imports, Sparking Uncertainty in Seafood Trade

US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 35% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the US on July 10, a move that could send shockwaves through seafood industries on both sides of the border. The tariff will take effect on August 1.

The news arrived via a Trump tariff letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump’s letter criticized Canada for its efforts to stop fentanyl from entering the US. Trump said Canada had chosen to retaliate with its own retaliatory tariffs rather than cooperate, prompting...

The Winding Glass: Seafood Trade Disruptions Reappear While Economic Headwinds Drive Prices Down

The economic collapse that many of us feared from the chaotic tariff policies of the Trump administration has not materialized—at least not yet. The seafood industry has shown a remarkable degree of resilience in the face of disruptive trade policy. But this should not be mistaken for invulnerability. The more pressing issue now is not tariffs but weakening consumer demand.

There are three reasons the anticipated tariff-induced disaster hasn’t occurred. First, there’s a deep political bias baked into how people perceive economic risks...

Commercial Fishermen Sue NMFS Over Red Snapper Rules, Citing Harm from Recreational Dead Discards

A group of commercial red snapper fishing companies, fishermen, buyers and processors filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over new regulations for the fishery.

Specifically, the plaintiffs took issue with the recently implemented “Amendment 59 Final Rule” to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.

“The red snapper annual catch limits established in the Amendment 59 Final Rule only serve to limit landings; they do not function...

Bristol Bay Landings are Now Just 3.5M Sockeye Short of Forecasted 35M Catch

It is another endurance test in Bristol Bay for fishermen and processors to keep up with the annual phenomenon of 50 million sockeye salmon returning to five rivers within about 100 square miles, or one third the size of New York City. And the majority of the run comes in over the course of just two weeks. 

Deliveries of July 9 are just coming in at press time, but as of July 8, a total of 2.6 million sockeye salmon, also called...

USDA Awards $34.66 Million for Pacific Pink Shrimp and Atlantic Groundfish Contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded $34.66 million in Section 32 contracts for Pacific pink shrimp ($15.73 million) and Atlantic groundfish ($18.93 million).

The announcement comes after the USDA’s pre-solicitation notice on May 23 and its solicitation notice on June 16 for frozen Atlantic pollock fillets, frozen haddock fillets, frozen ocean perch fillets, and Pacific salad shrimp.

Among the successful pink shrimp contracts were the following awards for Pacific salad shrimp: $3.275 million to Bornstein Seafoods, Inc., $10.01 million...

Hokkaido Surimi Production Increased by 18% to 1693 Tons in May 

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, based in Abashiri, Hokkaido, frozen surimi production in Hokkaido in May increased 18% from the same month last year to 1,693 tons, the highest in the past three years, due to an increase in Alaska pollock landings, reported Minato Shimbun. 

Of this, Alaska pollock surimi increased 16% to 1,629 tons. According to manufacturers, landings of the fish in Hokkaido increased across the island, with the Okhotsk region up by 9% to 11,100 tons, Wakkanai 2.6 times to 4,300...

Mowi Scotland Unveils Revamped Processing Facility, Expects to Break Records in Coming Months

Mowi Scotland announced that its Blar Mhor processing facility witnessed a transformation that will lead the facility to break records for fish numbers and volume, with a peak of 10kt during its busy months right around the corner.

“This was a complex and ambitious project – constructing around the old factory, moving into the new extension while refurbishing the original facility,” Scott Nolan, Sales and Processing Director said. “We added 5,000m² of new floor space, then removed the dividing wall and seamlessly integrated the equipment across both...

Newfoundland and Labrador Announces Changes to Harvester Loan Program 

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is enhancing the Harvester Enterprise Loan program to make financing more accessible to fish harvesters.  

The changes aim to streamline the application process and improve access to down payment loans and interest rebates. 

As part of the update, loan guarantees are now optional. This means that harvesters approved for a loan — even without a guarantee — can still apply for both the interest rebate and the patient down payment loan. 

The government says these enhancements are meant to ease the burden and...

ANALYSIS: Seasonal Growth in Chilean Salmon Supply Meets Depressed Global Salmon Market

Chilean salmon production continues to display higher monthly levels of harvest compared to 2024, but lower than in 2023, according to the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA). The accumulated harvest up to May reached 281,338 metric tons (mt), representing a 7.4% year-to-date (YTD) increase (Figure 1). Additionally, the harvest volume has been increasing in line with the seasonal rise in harvests. In May, the harvest volume grew by 6.3% month-on-month (m-o-m). Typically, the Chilean Atlantic salmon industry reaches its...

Trump Announces August 1 Tariffs — Here's the Complete List

Global leaders are receiving news on their countries' US tariff rates this week, as President Donald Trump dispatched approximately 20 letters by Wednesday afternoon.

The tariff rates, which range from 20% to 50%, are set to take effect on August 1, unless new negotiations or trade deals are reached in the coming weeks. Trump signed an executive order establishing an August 1 deadline for implementing his “reciprocal” tariffs. He remained firm on social media, emphasizing that it marked the final cutoff for any new trade agreements...

Trump Tariff Letters Continue to Roll Out; Philippines Faces 20% Tariff

President Trump has sent a new batch of letters to several countries, including the Philippines, notifying them of new US tariff rates set to take effect on August 1, giving them a short window to renegotiate trade terms before the deadline.

On July 8, Trump stated that a minimum of seven countries would be released, with an additional group to be released in the afternoon.

Despite multiple tariff implementation delays already, Trump was steadfast and set August 1 as a hard deadline in a social media...

Mexico Aims to Boost Tilapia Self-Sufficiency by 2030  

Mexico is aiming to achieve full self-sufficiency in tilapia production by 2030, according to an announcement from Julio Berdegué, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Berdegué shared the goal during “The Future of Tilapia in Mexico” forum, hosted by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca).  

Currently, Mexico’s aquaculture sector is made up of roughly 81,000 workers, with around 45,000 involved in tilapia production. Of those, 90% are small-scale operations. 

In 2024, tilapia production in Mexico exceeded 2.6 billion pesos. Looking ahead to 2025, the government plans to...

Japan’s Surimi Export Value from January to May Reaches Second-Highest Ever

According to trade statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Finance, cumulative Japanese exports of kamaboko and other surimi products (excluding fish sausages) from January through May reached 3,983 tons (a 2% year-on-year increase), marking the fifth largest volume for that period in the past decade. Meanwhile, the export value increased by 5% to 4.24 billion yen ($28.85 billion), the second-highest level for the January–May period, following the record set in 2022.

Amid uncertainty over future exports due to U.S. tariff issues, Japanese surimi products...

Massachusetts Now Accepting Applications for Fisheries Innovation Fund

Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) announced its initial solicitation for Fisheries Innovation Fund (FIF) applications, with a deadline of August 29, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

This solicitation round seeks to award approximately $750,000 overall. Preferred projects will have budgets ranging from $25,000 to $300,000, beginning as soon as January 1, 2026, and concluding by December 31, 2028.

A division under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental and Energy Affairs (EOEEA), the DMF facilitates responsible development of offshore renewable energies while promoting sustainability...

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...

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...

US Tariffs on Brazilian Imports Spark Cross-Commodity Concerns

US President Donald Trump’s recent move to raise tariffs on Brazilian imports to 50% starting August 1—up sharply from the 10% rate imposed in early April—has sparked concerns in global markets, with potential ripple effects across commodities like orange juice, beef, coffee, sugar, and seafood.

The trade measures, announced Wednesday, are raising alarms in export-dependent sectors and among US importers, with market participants saying the implications could be wide-ranging. 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the country would respond to the newly announced tariff on Brazilian exports with reciprocal measures. Below, Expana analyzes the potential impact...

US Coast Guard Receives $25 Billion Under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act 

The US Coast Guard (USCG) has received a $25 billion funding package as part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  

The investment will go toward the purchase of 17 icebreakers, 21 cutters, and over 40 helicopters. The money will also fund upgrades to search and rescue operations, modernize shore infrastructure, and enhance maritime surveillance systems. 

“This historic investment...reflects the strong support of the American people and empowers us to restore our Service and prepare for the challenges of...

Norway Has Replaced Russia in the US Crab Market; Russia Looks to Tag Back in

Norway has taken Russia’s place in the U.S. crab market, though Russia is hoping that possible restoration of economic relations with the U.S. will allow its crab fisherman to resume supplies to the U.S. market—once one of the most important for Russian crabbers—and thus compete with its Norwegian rivals.

Prior to 2022, the United States was one of the largest buyers of Russian crabs, accounting for almost half of Russian exports, some estimates indicate. While Asian countries mainly consume live Russian crab, which is supplied from the...

Brazilian Seafood Exports to US in Jeopardy After New 50% Tariff

United States President Donald Trump placed 50% tariffs on Brazil starting on August 1 as Trump criticized the country’s handling of former President Jair Bolsonaro in a letter.

Brazil’s letter is the most recent that Trump sent to 22 US trading partners so far this week, as Expana covered. While the rest of the letters were largely identical, the letter to Brazilian leadership was unique as Trump cited a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro, per Expana’s Ryan Gallagher.

From a seafood perspective, Brazil ranks in the top 20...

New Lawsuit Alleges Trident is Violating Clean Water Act at Washington Facility

On July 8, 2025, Washington-based nonprofit Waste Action Project (WAP) filed a citizen lawsuit against Trident Seafood Corporation (Trident) for allegedly violating pollution discharge standards required under the Clean Water Act (CWA) at the seafood giant’s Washington production facility.

Waste Action Project is a Washington-based non-profit membership organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment of Washington State. WAP has at least one member who is injured by Trident’s violations.

The formal complaint targets Trident’s 8.9-acre seafood processing and packaging facility in Anacortes, Washington...

Trident, Silver Bay Awarded $2.8 Million via USDA Contracts for Pollock 

Trident Seafoods and Silver Bay Seafoods were awarded contracts via the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for frozen Alaska pollock products.  

The Washington-based companies will sell the USDA 39,600 pounds of frozen Alaska pollock fillets for $2.83 million.  

Trident took home the bulk of the contract, $2.3 million. Meanwhile, the USDA will buy over $522,000 worth of Alaska pollock from Silvery Bay Seafoods.   

Last month, Trident and Channel Fish Processing were awarded contracts worth $1.97 million for...

Former USDA Economist Looks at How Trade Disputes and Geopolitics Are Reshaping Agri-Food

As global supply chains face intensifying pressure from geopolitical tensions, climate variability and shifting consumer demands, agri-food leaders are constantly rethinking their procurement strategies.

At Expana’s Agri-Food Americas event on September 23-24 in Chicago, these themes take center stage in the panel discussion “How Geopolitical Uncertainty, Tariffs, and Trade are Impacting Food & Ag”.

Conflict and policy shifts can destabilize your supply chain and disrupt sourcing. This panel will offer expert insights into international affairs so you can adapt quickly...

Marcus Coleman Steps Down as CEO of UK Trade Group Seafish

United Kingdom seafood trade association Seafish announced that Marcus Coleman will step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after a decade at the helm.

The group credited Coleman with modernizing the association and “forging close connections with the diverse seafood sector across the UK to ensure that the support the organization provides is focused, efficient and valued.”

“I have had the enormous privilege to work alongside dedicated and committed colleagues who wholeheartedly believe in the UK...

Independent Study Finds Gulf Menhaden Fishery Has Minimal Impact on Red Drum Stocks 

The long-awaited results of the first independent study on bycatch involving the Gulf menhaden fishery have been released.  

Funded by the state of Louisiana, the study found that bycatch of red drum in the fishery is low, accounting for just 3.4% of all red drum removals in state waters. This is below Louisiana’s 5% threshold for non-target species by weight.  

“The study reaffirms what decades of science have consistently shown: Louisiana’s Gulf menhaden fishery is sustainable, selective, and...

Letter to Brazil: Trump Cites "Witch Hunt" While Charging 50% Tariff

US President Trump has charged 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports to the States, according to a letter to Brazilian President Lula.

This week, reciprocal tariffs were re-announced in the form of letters from the US Trump administration to trading partners who could not reach a deal within the previously granted 90-day pause. And what a fun week it's been for tariffs' "watchers on the wall."

Letters to 22 trading partners were sent with new tariff rates that will be implemented on August 1...

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...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #16

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 #16."

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...

TCRS’s Annual Shrimp Summit Underscores Industry Promise Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Around 500 shrimp experts and industry stakeholders recently gathered in-person and online to participate in The Center for Responsible Seafood’s (TCRS) annual Shrimp Summit, which was held in Bali from June 22-26.

During the event, attendees explored the latest trends and technologies and the potential for shrimp industry growth down the line.

A critical concern expressed by attendees was tariffs and their impact on global markets, as cited by 100% of respondents surveyed during the Summit’s first session.

“Challenging economic conditions and market uncertainty made it even more..."