The Retail Rundown: Fresh Buying Opportunities in Bloom

Tomorrow marks the official start of spring, and retailers are seizing fresh opportunities to capture increased spending with occassions like Easter and peak grilling season soon approaching.

However, for some residents, spring still feels distant as a late-season storm sweeps through the Central US today and tomorrow, potentially impacting purchasing and consumption patterns in affected regions. 

With roughly a month remaining in Lent, seafood remains a focal point in retail promotions, accounting for 33% of protein advertisements, primarily driven by fresh/frozen fillets as well...

Echo Falls Seafoods Hires New Midwest Regional Sales Manager

On March 10, 2025, U.S. seafood producer Echo Falls Seafoods announced the appointment of a new Regional Sales Manager for its Midwest operations, Jeremy Titsworth.

Titsworth is a retail expert with more than 18 years of food and retail experience, having previously held the positions of Retail Sales Merchandiser and Business Development Manager at retail broker Advantage Solutions, as well as a grocery manager and prep chef.

“I’m eager to take on the new role of Regional Manager with Echo Falls Seafood and look forward pairing my expertise with the country’s..."

Finalists Announced for 2025 Seafood Excellence Awards

On March 5, 2025, Seafood Expo North America (SENA)/Seafood Processing North America announced its 11 finalists for the 2025 Seafood Excellence Awards.

This year’s finalists were selected from 68 total entries in SENA’s 2025 New Product Showcase, which represents a comprehensive list of new product releases for the North American seafood market that are either launching soon or that have been launched within the past 18 months.

The Seafood Excellence Awards, which are sponsored by Aquamar this year, will be evaluated by a three-person review panel and focus on...

Iceland Seafood Int’l Releases Positive Q4 Financial Results, Exceeding 2024 Outlook

On February 26, 2025, Iceland Seafood International (ISI) published its fourth quarter financial results for 2024, reflecting overall success in sales for Q4 and the year as a whole.

The seafood company saw a lot of increases in 2024, with sales soaring 16% in Q4 2024, amounting to €129.2 million more than the same period last year. Meanwhile, sales for the year increased by 3% compared to 2023, amounting to a total of €443.2 million.

Net margin was also up this year, amounting to...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Rides the Lenten Wave

With March just around the corner, the first signs of spring and warmer days are emerging—welcome news for both consumers and grocers.

Seafood leads this week's protein advertisements, accounting for 26% of total features, closely followed by beef and chicken at 23% each. Pork ads make up 22%, while turkey holds a 3.5% share. Egg promotions remain scarce, extending a two-week trend.

In the seafood complex, fillet promotions are ramping up ahead of the Lenten season, now making up 33.5% of the category’s volume. Ads for both raw and cooked...

Seafood Expo North America Announces 2025 Conference Program

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America (SENA) recently announced its 2025 conference program, which will begin on Sunday, March 16.

The program will include more than 30 sessions and address a range of topics impacting the seafood industry including the following: seafood consumption and consumer trends, policy trends and regulatory issues, AI, labor rights, and marine plastics, among others.

Case studies and expert insights across various fields will be provided, with keynote speaker, macro-economist, geopolitical financial expert, and best-selling author Nomi Prins, PhD, kicking off the program...

The Retail Rundown: Valentine’s Day Brings Foodservice Gains 

The grocery segment received a boost from last weekend’s pro-football championship game, with strong movement at the meat case. According to Circana data, retail chicken wing sales ahead of the game reached about $8.7 million, up from $8.5 million the previous week. Pork ribs brought in nearly $7 million, rising from $6.7 million, while ground beef sales totaled approximately $76 million, compared to $74.7 million the prior week. 

Looking ahead, February is typically a slower month for retail and overall meat demand. However, Valentine’s... 

Captain D’s Expands into Maryland and Texas

On February 5, American fast-casual seafood restaurant Captain D’s announced its expansion into Maryland and Texas.

Over the next seven years, Captain D’s will develop five new restaurants in Prince George County, Maryland. This marks the company’s expansion into the Northeast and its 24th state, thus building on more than 530 existing locations.

To achieve its Maryland development, Captain D’s is partnering with Shahid Raza and Ahmed Fawad, who represent an experienced team already operating successful restaurants and franchise businesses in New York, Maryland and Virginia Beach.

For Captain D’s Texas expansion...

Tassal and Visy Collaborate on Sustainable Cardboard Boxes for Australian Shrimp

Seafood producer Tassal recently partnered up with Australian food and beverage manufacturer Visy to create new sustainable cardboard boxes for Tassal’s shrimp products.

The boxes, which are made from 74% recycled material, are made locally at Visy’s Carole Park site in Ipswich, Queensland, before being sent to Proserpine for packing.

According to Adrian Dalgleish, Executive General Manager for Fiber Packaging at Visy, keeping the manufacturing within Australia ensures Australian jobs while also maintaining proximity for any customer needs as they arise.

Together, Visy and Tassal ran numerous market trials...

The Retail Rundown: Arctic Blast Supports Egg Demand While Seafood Leads Ads

Seafood continues to lead the retail protein category for the fourth consecutive week, accounting for 29% of all featured advertisements. Beef comes in second with 25%, while pork and chicken are tied at 20% each.

Arctic air across much of the country and an unusual winter storm in the South have influenced product movement and demand this week. Expana reports that the frigid conditions have boosted egg demand as consumers stock up on essentials.

Wholesale egg prices have ascended to a fresh all-time high, with Expana’s Midwest large quotation at...

Næra® Snacks to Unveil New Crunchy Salmon Bites at Winter Fancy Food Show 2025

Næra® Snacks (a brand by Responsible Foods, ehf.) recently launched a new salmon snack line, Crunchy Fish Bites.

The all-natural salmon bites are batch-crafted and gently dried and come in the following flavors: wasabi, jalapeno, and ranch.

Næra® Snacks will be showcasing additional Crunchy Fish bite varieties at the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Winter Fancy Food Show 2025, Booth 941, which takes place this Sunday, January 19, 2025.

“Næra® Crunch Fish Bites are truly snackable and conquer hunger without sinking..."

Norway’s 2024 Seafood Exports Rank as Best Year Yet

According to a statement from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway experienced its highest ever seafood export value in 2024, with a total of 2.8 million tonnes of seafood products exported, amounting to NOK 175.4 billion (approximately $15.4 billion).

Upward trajectory for Norwegian seafood exports

This marks a 2% increase from 2023, when the Scandinavian country experienced a seafood export value of NOK 171.7 billion (approximately $15.08 billion). The NSC recorded seafood exports of more than 60 different species to over 150 countries worldwide...

S&P Global Ranks Blumar as Best Fishery in Chile

S&P Global recently gave Chilean seafood producer Blumar a high rating of 73 points in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA)’s Food category.

This marks Blumar’s newly declared status as the best fishery in Chile and among the country’s top two salmon farms, ranking highest of the two in the CSA’s performance area. This is an impovement of 17 points from last year.

Since Blumar was first evaluated by S&P Global in 2021, its score increased a total of 31 points, or 74%. The 2024 scoring places the...

Eat Alabama Seafood Program Finds New Home in Local Nonprofit Sweet Grown Alabama

The Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission (ASMC) is switching to Sweet Grown Alabama for the marketing of its Eat Alabama Seafood Program.

The Eat Alabama Seafood Program is an effort by the ASMC, which is a governor-appointed, volunteer-based entity created in 2011 for the sole purpose of increasing business for Alabama’s seafood industry.

Sweet Grown Alabama is a non-profit organization that promotes Alabama-grown foods and agricultural products and helps connect consumers with local farmers.

This marketing transition comes one year after the Alabama Legislature...

Norway's November Seafood Exports Reach Highest Value to Date, Says Norwegian Seafood Council

According to information published recently by the Norwegian Seafood Council, seafood exports in Norway reached a total worth of NOK 17.3 billion in November, making it the most successful November seafood export value to date, increased by NOK 1 billion, or 6%, from last November.

At this rate, Norway is headed for a new export record, with already NOK 160.4 billion exported this year, which is 1.5% higher than this time last year.

Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, said that Norway has been seeing...

Cooke Finalizes Acquisition of Peruvian Fishing Giant Copeinca

Global seafood company Cooke Inc. (“Cooke”) just finalized its acquisition of Corporación Pesquera Inca S.A.C. (“Copeinca”), Peru’s largest fishing company.

This comes after Cooke’s November 7th announcement that Cooke would enter into a binding share purchase agreement with Copeinca Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cooke, and seller PF Cayman New Holdco Limited, allowing Cooke to indirectly acquire all outstanding shares of Copeinca.

Copeinca, established in Peru in 1994, is one of Peru’s largest anchoveta processors and one of the world’s largest anchoveta fishmeal and fish oil producers and exporters.

Cooke, which entered the marine ingredients...

New Seafood Products Drop as Lenten Season Kicks Off

As the 2025 Lenten season gets underway, several food producers have released limited-time only (LTO) offerings, the most recent of which are Zaxbys, SeaPak, and Natural Grocers.

Last week, a number of U.S. restaurants began showcasing new or existing menu items for the season, which runs from March 5 to April 17 this year. Such notable participants include McDonald’s, Red Lobster, Popeyes, Taco John’s, Jack in the Box, and Long John Silver's.

Zaxbys leans into its popular southern fried shrimp

For this year’s Lenten season, Georgia-headquartered chicken chain Zaxbys...

The Retail Rundown: Key Buying Occasions on the Horizon 

March presents key retail buying opportunities as spring holidays approach and Lent influences shopping and dining habits.

With Lent beginning today, meat sales typically decline as participants shift toward seafood. This week, seafood promotions rose to 28% of total retail features, up from 26% last week. Currently, 31% of seafood ads highlight fresh or frozen fillets, with options like salmon, cod, and catfish averaging $9.30 per pound on discount—nearly 9% higher than a year ago.

Elsewhere in the retail landscape, beef and pork each account for nearly 25% of featured promotions...

McDonald’s, Red Lobster, and Long John Silver’s Lead Off the 2025 Lenten Seafood Promotions

In anticipation of the fast-approaching 2025 Lenten season, several U.S. restaurants—including McDonald’s, Red Lobster, and Long John Silver's, to name a few—are showcasing new or existing seafood products on their menus.

While some menu items are consistent landmarks, others are limited-time only (LTO) offerings available now and for the duration of Lent, with most promotions running until the end of April. This year, the Lenten season will run from March 5 through April 17.  

Several restaurants are collaborating with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute...

Lineage and Port of New Orleans Expand Import Inspection Services

Earlier this month, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and Lineage, Inc. (Lineage), the world’s largest refrigerated-storage company, announced the addition of new cold storage inspection services at Port NOLA.

Among the new services are in-house USDA import inspections, which will specialize in streamlined, on-site USDA inspection services for imported proteins. Inspections will take place at Lineage’s Jourdan Road cold storage facility in New Orleans East, located along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal.

The new services will take place alongside Lineage’s existing USDA export inspection services...

The Retail Rundown: Cold Weather Influences Demand

As February winds down, grocers are looking ahead to the arrival of spring and warmer weather, which typically sparks renewed retail demand after a slower start to the year.

For now, wintry weather remains in full blast, with record-breaking cold temperatures and heavy snow impacting the Central and Eastern US this week. These conditions could support continued retail demand for items like eggs, which are seeing strong consumer interest despite rising shelf prices. However, the extreme cold may not be as favorable for meat consumption, especially in southern regions accustomed to year...

Hokkaido Fishery's 2024 Pollock, Cod, and Herring Production Increased Amid Overall Production Dip

In 2024, Hokkaido's fishery production volume was 1.049 million tons, down 8% from the previous year, with the value being 279.8 billion yen, down 4%. Scallops and sardines, which had been strong in recent years, have started to decline, falling below 1.1 million tons for the first time in five years since 2019. The Hokkaido government recently announced preliminary figures.

According to the Minato Shimbun report on February 5, scallop production was down 8% in volume, amounting to 390,000 tons, marking a dip below 400,000...

Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Embarks on Trade Mission to Europe Amid Stalled Tariffs

Recently, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith led a trade mission to Europe, alongside a delegation of key stakeholders within the Atlantic Canadian seafood sector, in an effort to diversify the country’s seafood market, especially amid President Trump’s pending US import tariffs.

The delegation, comprised of six Nova Scotian seafood companies and eight Atlantic Canadian seafood companies, included participation by the following seafood leaders: Lobster Hub Inc., Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Victoria Co-Operative Fisheries Ltd., Tribune Seafood Inc., Gidney Fisheries Ltd...

Whole Foods Market Issues New Seafood Code of Conduct

Whole Foods Market just issued its new Seafood Code of Conduct (SCC), which reinforces the company’s commitment to ensuring human rights and worker welfare within its global supply chain.

The SCC commits to responsibly sourcing fresh, frozen, and canned seafood with respect to the following areas:

-- Maximum working hours and time at sea (including rest hours and port visits every eleven months)

-- Ethical recruitment (prohibiting recruitment fees and unclear contracts)

-- Communication access for crew members (including crew contact with family and Wi-Fi prioritization)

-- Health and safety onboard vessels (including required...

Russian Fishing Industry Hopes for High Revenue in 2025

The Russian fishing industry may show positive dynamics in terms of revenue this year, although much will depend on the further economic situation in Russia and its fish sector, as well as some external economic factors.

According to earlier predictions made by German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), an optimistic scenario might include the industry’s revenue exceeding 742.7 billion rubles (US $7.37 billion).

According to analysts, the Russian fish sector rests its hope in stabilizing the situation next year. That stabilization will not be...

The Retail Rundown: Weekly Protein Recap; CPI Update

Seafood leads protein advertising for a third consecutive week, accounting for nearly 31% of total ad space. Pork follows with nearly 23% and beef makes up 21%. Chicken represents 19% of the advertising share, while eggs capture less than 1%.

The seafood category shows mixed price trends year-over-year (YOY), with fresh cod fillets discounted to $8.37 per pound last week—down 53 cents from the previous year. Prices for catfish and tilapia remained steady YOY, each averaging about $6.60 discounted...

GSA Study Shows Chinese Consumers Prefer Seafood, Specifically BAP-Certified Products

In a recent survey conducted by Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), Chinese consumers reported that they preferred seafood over other types of protein, especially consumers who reside in coastal areas.

Utilizing a third party surveyor, GSA was able to collect consumer purchasing data on 3,079 Chinese residents, as well as gage consumer awareness of GSA’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) label. The BAP certification program has over 330 certified hatcheries, 2300+ certified farms, 150+ feed mills, and 490+ plants showcasing the BAP label.

Of those surveyed, more than...

ASMI Awarded $8.5 Million To Expand International Marketing Efforts Through 2030

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) awarded the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) $8.5 million in new federal funding over the next five years. The money is specifically dedicated to expand ASMI's international marketing efforts over the next five years. 

ASMI will use the funds to diversify overseas markets for Alaska seafood at a time marked by significant global market collapse that has put financial pressure on Alaska communities, fishermen, fishing families, processors, and seafood businesses. 

The funds will be used to...

The Retail Rundown: Seasonal Trends for Ribs vs. Hams

With Christmas just two weeks away, this week’s retail rundown takes a closer look at two traditional holiday centerpieces: rib roasts and hams. These festive favorites have followed differing paths in the wholesale markets this year, potentially influencing their retail performance in the lead-up to the year-end celebrations.

The wholesale rib market began its seasonal ascent in the third quarter, gaining traction in early August. From August 1 through December 10, prices surged by 42 percent, far surpassing the 5-year average increase of 17 percent for the same period...

MarinTrust and MSC Sign MoU to Enhance Marine Ingredient Supply Chain

International certification programs MarinTrust and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation within the marine ingredient supply chain.  

Through the agreement, the two entities will explore mutual opportunities to make the marine ingredient supply chain more efficient for seafood producers and reduce overall costs for the industry.

Libby Woodhatch, Executive Chair at MarinTrust, noted that the “collaboration reflects both organization’s shared commitment to improving fisheries management and addressing the increasing demand for responsible marine ingredients.”

She added that the agreement will enable...