A Look at the Top 10 Most Consumed Seafood Items in 2022

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) debuted its annual Top 10 List of the most consumed seafood in 2022. NFI’s list comes shortly after NOAA Fisheries unveiled its Fisheries of the U.S. 2022 Report, which saw Americans consume roughly 19.7 pounds of seafood, a slight downturn from the 20.5 pounds seen in 2021.

Shrimp topped the Top 10 List once again despite a minor decrease in consumption. Salmon finished in second place, and it also witnessed a slight drop in consumption. In third place was canned tuna, which saw...

ANALYSIS: Pangasius Imports Outweigh Tilapia

With U.S. import data reporting through June 2024, the first half of the year has recorded panagius outweighing tilapia in frozen fillet import volumes into the country. Historically tilapia largely outweighs pangasius, however, this trend reversal has become a more common occurrence as 2021 and 2022 also marked higher pangasius volumes for the same timeframe.

Contributing to the supply constraints on tilapia this year was a shortage of raw materials driven by unusual weather events that can increase mortality rates for smaller fish. Major producing areas of...

The Rise of Ocean Freight Costs And How It’s Impacting Seafood  

We all remember how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted maritime and air freight services. And while those days are behind us, disruptions are once again causing ocean shipping prices to rise to record highs. Expana’s Seafood Market Reporters share how the ocean freight situation is impacting different species:

Tilapia

Expana Senior Seafood Market Reporter Lorin Castiglione says that the tilapia frozen fillet market from China is facing significant turbulence due to ongoing supply challenges, rising freight rates, container shortages, and supply chain disruptions. Freight...

The Latest Products From Trader Joe’s Are Summer Staples

Trader Joe’s loves updating its customers about new arrivals. And the latest seafood products to hit the grocer’s shelves are all summer staples. 

Seafood lovers will want to grab multiple boxes of Trader Joe’s Seafood Boil, because this frozen item is only available for a limited time. The louisiana-style boil contains shrimp, tilapia, clams, andouille sausage, corn on the cob and miniature potatoes pre-seasoned in a spicy garlic butter sauce. Either boil it in the bag or put the contents of the bag in a sauce pan for a...

ANALYSIS: Fresh Tilapia Prices Rise as Imports Fall

There was a notable decrease in the total import volume of fresh tilapia fillets in February 2024 compared to January 2024, with volumes dropping from just under 4.1 million pounds to 3.2 million pounds, a 21.9% decline. Year-over-year, the decline is even more pronounced at 28.1%, with February 2023 volumes at 4.4 million pounds. This indicates a significant contraction in import volumes over both a monthly and yearly basis.

The year-to-date numbers running January through February show a similar trend, with a decline of...

Captain D's Names Hair Parra to Senior VP of Intl. Operations and Development Amid Global Expansion

Just one week after Captain D’s promoted Nan Ward to COO, the fast casual seafood restaurant has named Hair Parra to the newly created position of senior vice president of international operations and development. 

Parra spent more than 35 years leading international operations for well-known names like Papa Johns, Benihana and Domino's. Parra also oversaw international development for FAT Brands since 2021. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of Wing Zone after spending over...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Tilapia Fillets Report Lowest Import Year Since 2006

Tilapia frozen fillet imports into the United States ended the year on a low. Total volume for 2023 was recorded at 203.1 million pounds, a 13.2 percent fall from last year, marking the third consecutive year of retreats.

China, the leading supplier of tilapia frozen fillets into the U.S., recorded 181.1 million pounds in 2023, compared to 204 million pounds in 2022, noting an 11.2 percent fall from the previous year.

Currently, production efforts within China have stopped as processing...

CP Foods Responds to “Misleading” Information About Invasive Blackchin Tilapia in Thailand

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) is firing back following “misleading” images and messages surrounding blackchin tilapia. 

Blackchin Tilapia is a fish that is native to Africa. But the invasive fish have recently been found in Thailand, wreaking havoc on the local ecosystems. Fingers have been pointed at CP Foods, who imported the fish from Ghana for research purposes back in 2010. Claims have surfaced online accusing the company of not properly disposing of the fish and letting them escape into waterways...

ANALYSIS: Increasing Freight Drives Pressure on Value Finfish

The frozen fillet market for tilapia, pangasius, and catfish is experiencing shifts due to a variety of factors impacting both supply and demand. Recent developments in ocean freight rates, weather conditions, and supply chain disruptions have all contributed to the current market dynamics.

Tilapia

Tilapia pricing has steadily increased for the past year due to several key factors. U.S. importers face lower inventory levels, as anticipated supply improvements by late May or early June were delayed by unusual weather patterns in China's producing areas of Guangdong and...

ANALYSIS: Tilapia Market Troubles – Supply Shortages and Supply Chain Disruptions

The tilapia frozen fillet market from China is experiencing significant turbulence, driven by several key factors affecting both supply and demand. U.S. importers are currently facing low inventory levels as the industry expected that supply would improve by late May or early June. However, weather-related setbacks in April, as well as reports of premature harvesting have caused further delays.

The two major tilapia farming regions in China, Guangdong and Hainan, have faced unusual weather patterns, which have contributed to higher mortality rates and...

ANALYSIS: Fresh Tilapia Facing Supply Challenges

The fresh tilapia market in the United States is currently facing significant challenges due to supply disruptions. Colombia, the leading supplier of fresh tilapia to the U.S. since 2022, has reportedly experienced mortality issues resulting in a sharp decline in production. With Colombia's typical production output compromised, the U.S. market is turning to other regions, notably Costa Rica, Honduras, and Brazil, to fill the void. Additionally, Brazil's effort to get new farms BAP certified rapidly for U.S. exports underscores the urgency and the potential for...

Captain D's Promotes Nan Ward to COO Amid Several Franchise Development Agreements

Fast casual seafood restaurant Captain D's announced Wednesday that Nan Ward has been promoted to chief operating officer. Ward has been with the Nashville-based company since 2012, when she first joined as a human resources manager.

"Over the past 12 years with Captain D's, Nan has made a defining impact on the company across many disciplines. She has a vast, hands-on background in operations and pairs it with savvy business acumen. It's a powerful combination that ensures Nan will excel as...

ANALYSIS: Tilapia Market Rallies Ahead of the New Year

The tilapia market continues to experience upwards pricing pressure the week before the Christmas holiday, inching towards the year’s end and ahead of Chinese New Year in the first quarter of 2024.

A few months ago, imported frozen tilapia fillets from China saw price discounts as inflation affected consumer spending in the U.S., resulting in lower demand and higher inventory levels. During this time, the industry saw reduced procurement activity from China, putting more inventory into the global market. However, the market situation has recently changed...