Over 21 Million Pounds of Alaska Pollock Among USDA’s Latest Seafood Purchase Requests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking bids on various seafood products, including catfish, shrimp, and Alaskan pollock, through Section 32.

The USDA stated that the products, announced in three separate solicitations, will be used in domestic food distribution programs. Bids are due by February 27, and acceptances will be announced on March 6. The largest purchase is focused on Alaskan pollock, with the USDA looking for bids on over 21 million pounds of product. The offerings range from frozen pollock fillets...

North Council Sets Options for Reducing Chum Salmon Bycatch in the Bering Sea

Russia Sets 20-Year Record for Pollock Consumption

Russia set a 20-year record for pollock consumption in 2024 thanks to a significant increase in the volume of supplies to the domestic market.

According to the Russian Pollock Association (ADM), last year, the per capita consumption amounted to 4 kg per person, ending the existing Soviet image of pollock among Russian customers.

Currently, pollock remains one of the main products in the “fish basket” of Russians. According to the Russian RBC business paper, citing ADM, pollock consumption in 2014-2024...

Russia Aims to Become a Leading Surimi Producer Within the Next Several Years

Russia aims to become one of the world’s leading surimi producers within the next several years as the country looks to expand its domestic production significantly.

Last year, the production volume significantly increased, allowing the country to join the top five world leaders in pollock surimi production.

According to data from the Russian Pollock Association, production grew by 47% from 2023 to 70.800 tons last year.

According to the President of the Association, Alexey Buglak, the rapid production growth completely covered the domestic market's demand...

Gidrostroy Built Two Pollock Processing Plants in Japan’s Northern Territories that Russia Occupies

Last year, the foremost Russian fishery company, Gidrostroy Group, built two new fishery processing plants in Japan's disputed Northern Territories, which Russia occupies. The investment amounted to approximately RUB 3.2 billion ($31,29 million). The plants were built on Etorofu Island and Shikotan Island and will process Alaska pollock. The Russian Federal Fisheries Service announced this on January 6.

Minato Shimbun reported that the new plants were built based on the winning bid in the second round of investment fishing quotas...

Global Seas Announces Leadership Transition as Seafood Industry Veteran Bob Desautel Steps Down

Global Seas, a Seattle-based harvesting and vessel management company, announced that its founder, Bob Desautel, would be stepping down from his role as chief executive of the firm and transitioning to the role of Chairman, per a January 7 announcement from the company.

Desautel has worked in the seafood industry for over four and a half decades and has become a staple within the Wild Alaska Pollock industry. Global Seas said his vast experience has been pivotal to the company’s growth and success over...

Russia Expects Fish Catch to be Stable in 2025

According to recent statements made by representatives of some leading local producers and Russian media reports, Russia expects a stable fish catch in 2025 that will reach about 5 million tonnes.

As Alexander Panin, Chairman of the Russian Fish Union, a public association that unites some leading Russian fish producers, told the Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda business paper in an interview, a good catch is expected for most important Russian fish species next year, including ivasi, pollock, and salmon.

Particular hopes are also put on the increase of squid catch...

Fish Catch in Russia Declines This Year, Leading to Price Increases

Fish catch in Russia declines this year, which has led to price increases in the domestic market.

According to Forbes Russia magazine as of December 2, citing the president of the All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE) German Zverev, the volume of catch has amounted to 4.58 million tons, which is 9% lower than the same period in 2023, which experienced record-breaking catch. 

In case of pollock, the volume of catch increased by 1%, amounting to 1.85 million tons, while pacific herring - by 11%...

Kyokuyo's Ocean’s Kitchen Opens $25M Imitation Crab Meat Facility in Washington

Kyokuyo Co., a Japan-based firm, announced that its subsidiary, Ocean’s Kitchen Corporation, completed the construction of its $25 million imitation crab meat facility in Washington state.

The company linked the investment to the increasing popularity of imitation crab meat in the US, particularly in urban areas, as a key ingredient in salads and California rolls. Kyokuyo expects consumption to grow in local areas as well.

Ocean’s Kitchen, the Washington-based subsidiary, strategically built the facility in Washington because it is close to Alaksa, the primary production site.

Russia: Bering Sea Pollock Catch to Drop by 25% in 2024 Amid Natural, Economic Challenges

The pollock catch in the Bering Sea, one of Russia’s major pollock-producing areas, will decrease by almost 25% in 2024 compared to 2023 to 475,000-480,000 tons, according to recent statements made by the president of the Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO) Alexey Osintsev at the Far Eastern Scientific and Industrial Council.

According to Osintsev, natural factors, including those affecting fish migration, have a negative impact on the dynamics of the catch. As he explained, the decline in pollock production is a consequence...

Trident Seafoods, Channel Fish Land USDA Pollock Contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded over $2 million in contracts for various Alaska pollock products for use in Child Nutrition and other Domestic Food Distribution programs.

In total, contracts for 920,000 pounds of Alaska pollock products were awarded for $2,052,149.

Trident Seafoods took home most of the purchase, with the USDA purchasing 730,000 pounds of product for over $1.6 million. The USDA will buy 190,000 pounds of product for just over $448,000 from Massachusetts-based Channel Fish Processing...

American Seafoods Names Inge Andreassen as New Chief Executive Officer

American Seafoods Company, a top at-sea processor of Wild Alaska Pollock and Pacific Hake, announced that Inge Andreassen, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President, has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Einar Gustafsson.

Andreassen said:

 “Leading American Seafoods is a privilege and a responsibility that I hold with great pride and profound respect. This company has been at the core of my professional journey, and I am deeply honored to continue building upon its legacy. Our success...

Russian Government Approves Concessions for Domestic Pollock Producers 

The Russian government has approved concessions for domestic producers of pollock by adopting a decree exempting frozen sardines and pollock fillets from exchange rate export duties.

According to data from the Russian Pollock Association, pollock fillets are strategically important for the entire Russian fish sector, accounting for 35% of the catch and production of fish products in Russia and about 80% of export revenue.

The government's decision comes into force on November 10 and can be considered a victory for producers. Their...

Russia to Cut Fish Exports to EU Amid Sanctions and Market Shift

Russia will continue to reduce fish exports to the EU region this year and in 2025 due to the ever-growing pressure from sanctions and the ongoing reorientation to the East.

In 2023, Russia exported fish and fish products to EU countries — mostly fillets as well as minced pollock and cod – for a total sum of US$768 million. About 95% of such shipments accounted for white fish.

Fish products from Russia and China, made from Russian raw materials, account for more than 80% of all...

Russian Government Plans to Keep Duties on Exports of Domestic Fish, Seafood

The Russian government plans to keep the existing duties on exports of domestic fish and seafood despite criticism from local fishermen.

According to recent calculations of the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO), from the beginning of October 2023 to the end of September 2024, the overall duties paid on the export of pollock, cod, haddock and crab products from Russia may amount to more than 19.2 billion rubles, which is a big figure for the industry...

Japan’s H1 Surimi Imports Up 8.6% 

Japan’s Ministry of Finance recently announced that surimi imports in June 2024 were 16,079 tons, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year.

According to Kamaboko News, imports from the United States were 6,585 tons, a decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year, while imports from Thailand, Argentina and Indonesia increased by 34.3% to 1,182 tons, 18.9% to 573 tons, and 7.1% to 105 tons, respectively. Imports from Russia were 1,377 tons, an increase of 2.5%.

Imports from Southeast Asia included:

- An 8.4% decrease to 1,380 tons from...

Japan’s 2024 Fishery Product Imports Up Slightly by 1% at 2.09 Million MT

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 30, the import volume of fishery products (preliminary figures, fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) in 2024 was 2,093,112 tons, up 1% from the previous year. The import value was 1,947.8 billion yen ($12.71 billion), up 2%.

According to the Minato Shimbun report, Fresh and frozen tuna increased 7% to 175,088 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout increased 9% to 219,750 tons, and fresh and frozen shrimp increased 10%...

Russian Surimi Production 50% Increase to 70,000 tons; Exports to China Jump

Russia's pollock surimi production in 2024 is set to reach a record high of 70,800 tons, up 47% from the previous year. In 2023, it was 47,500 tons. Minato Shimbun reported that the Russian Association of Pollock Fishermen (ADM, Vladivostok) announced this on January 21.

According to the association, the world's production of the same type of surimi in 2024 was 905,000 tons, down 4%. The United States' production was down 13% to 175,000 tons, and Southeast Asian countries' production was down 5% to 318,000 tons...

Russia's Fish Catch Declines 8% in 2024, Totaling 4.88 Million Tons

Russia reduced its overall fish catch by 8% in 2024 to 4.88 million tonnes, compared to 2023, according to the latest data from Russian fishermen and local media reports.

According to the Russian Izvestia TV channel, fishing in the Far Eastern fishery basin, the center of Russia’s fish production, decreased by 7.7% year-over-year. At the same time, almost the same decline was observed in the Northern basin.

In the Far Eastern fishery basin, pollock became an absolute leader in terms of catch with...

USDA to Purchase $50 Million in Wild Alaska Pollock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an upcoming purchase of up to $50 million of Wild Alaska pollock. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) highlighted that the purchase will support fishermen, companies and communities involved in the industry that are battling low pollock prices amid a dip in demand and increased competition from Russia.

“We all appreciate the quick response by USDA to address the needs of the seafood industry and, at the same time, food insecure Americans by committing to purchase what may be...

China Announces 2025 Tariff Increases on Key Seafood Imports

China’s State Council announced adjustments for tariff rates in 2025, with some of the adjustments leading to rate increases for key imported seafood items like shrimp, whitefish and abalone.

Some key seafood items will see increased tariff rates from 2% to 5% in 2025. Specifically, the tax rate for frozen shrimp will see a 3% tariff jump, along with frozen Arctic shrimp, while fresh abalone will jump from 7% to 10%.

EU SME Centre highlighted the following species with increased tariffs (all impacted items are frozen product): Greenland halibut, flounder...

Russia Boosts Global Frozen Fish Exports

According to the latest report of the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO), Russia currently accounts for more than 17.4% of global frozen fish exports, which is higher than the figure for 2023 (16.2%).

Over three-quarters of the current year, Russian frozen fish supplies amounted to more than 1 million tons. China (11.7%), the Netherlands (7.2%), Norway (7%), and the US (6.6%) are also prominent suppliers.

According to the AFFO, frozen fish remains the main product of Russian fish exports. Its supplies account for 50% of the value of fish exports...

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service Rules Out Korean JV Pollock Fleet

In November, the Russian Antimonopoly Service concluded that eight pollock fishing companies operating in Russia are controlled by foreign capital. Minato Shimbun reported that this would forcefully halt "illegal fishing" by foreign capital and resource catch quotas.

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the companies found to be under foreign capital are joint ventures between Russian and Korean companies. These companies were established in the early 2000s, with Russian companies holding more than 51%...

2025 TACs Up on Alaska Pollock and Mackerel, Down on Cod, Yellowfin Sole, POP in Bering Sea
Dec. 11, 2024: Gulf of Alaska TACs added; units corrected to thousands of metric tons (kmt) for all species except BS pollock.

Alaska Pollock stocks are strong enough to merit a 6% increase for the total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea, from 1.3 million metric tons in 2024 to 1.375 mmt in 2025. In the Gulf of Alaska, the 2025 TAC is 53,000 mt less at 133,075 mt compared to this year’s quota of 186,000 mt.

The North Pacific Fishery Management ...

Russian Fish Processors Plead for Relief Amid Investment Quota Struggles

Leading Russian fish processors have called on the state to ease the existing requirements of the investment quota program due to their inability to ensure the required output at present. Processors are also eyeing exemption from possible fines that would be levied due to not fulfilling the obligations.

So far, the "Russian Cod," one of Russia’s fish processors and producers, has already contacted the local Federal Agency with a request to ease the existing requirements for participants in the investment quota program and exempt them from fines in the...

Japan: Q1-Q3 Surimi Product Exports up 12%, Surging to the Middle East

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, the cumulative export volume of fish paste products (excluding fish sausages) such as kamaboko from January to September 2024 was 7,522 tons, up 12% from last year. The increase was due to a significant increase in exports to the emerging Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which tripled; Saudi Arabia, which nearly doubled; and the United States, the largest export destination, which grew 1.5 times. However, this was down 17% compared to the...

USDA Seeks Bids on Salmon and Alaska Pollock; Awards Catfish Contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking for bids on a notable amount of Alaska pollock and wild salmon products. Plus, it unveiled its purchase awards for 270,000 pounds of farmed catfish products.

Focusing on pollock, the USDA said it is looking for offers to sell pollock products, with bids due on November 13, 2024. In all, the USDA is looking for 920,000 pounds of pollock products ranging from frozen Alaska pollock sticks, fillets and bulk containers of product...

Russian Pollock Fishers’ Organization Develops Pollock Roe Market in China

According to Minato Shimbun, a group of Russian pollock fishers has begun an initiative to develop the Chinese market for Russian pollock. They exhibited at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2024 in Qingdao, China, from October 30 to November 1. They offered a variety of pollock dishes to suit consumer tastes. The group estimates that China's potential demand for pollock is more than 5,000 tons. The Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation reported this.

The Russian Pollack Association is exhibiting at the Qingdao fair. Russia produces 35,000 tons of pollock...

Alaska Pollock Group At-Sea Processors Association Announces Leadership Transition

The At-sea Processors Association (APA), a trade group within the Alaska pollock industry, announced that its Executive Director, Stephanie Madsen, will retire at the end of the year.

Madsen has been at the helm of the APA since 2007 and has spent nearly 50 years working with the Alaska fishing industry. Madsen started her career working with fishing industry leaders in Unalaska over 40 years ago. She served a pair of terms on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, serving as the first woman Chair and also as...

Russian Fish Exports in Steady Decline Throughout 2024

Fish exports from Russia are steadily declining due to the ongoing pressure from sanctions and the existing import duties on Russian fish in the EU and the UK. In the first half of 2024, Russian exports dipped 7% in volume, year-on-year. Through eight months, that figure has dipped 13% lower from 2023.

As Artem Daushev, assistant to the head of the Russian agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, said during the recent International Fishery Industry Forum in Russia,

"The volume of fish exports from Russia in January-August 2024...