Global Seafood Faces "Perfect Storm" of Tariffs and Risk, Rabobank Warns

The global seafood industry is amidst a period of profound disruption, according to the latest Rabobank report.

Seafood producers and exporters are being impacted by tariffs and geopolitical tensions, notably in Asia. Meanwhile, consumers in the Western part of the globe are facing increased prices and reduced availability of seafood staples.

“The seafood industry is navigating a perfect storm of trade barriers, geopolitical risk, and supply chain fragility,” said Gorjan Nikolik, Senior Global Specialist Seafood at RaboResearch. “Strategic diversification—both in sourcing and market access—is no longer optional...

University of Hawaiʻi Study: Saltwater Recirculation Systems Boost Tilapia Growth by 15%

A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is making waves in the world of sustainable seafood production. Researchers at the Tuahine Research and Education Center found that Mozambique tilapia, a popular aquaculture species, grows 15% faster in recirculating artificial saltwater systems than in traditional freshwater environments. 

The finding points to major implications for the future of aquaculture, especially in regions with limited access to water resources or that may have limited access in the future due to...

Brazil Seafood Association Sounds Alarm Over Job Losses, Export Hit From US Tariffs

Brazil’s seafood industry is already feeling the fallout from President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 50% tariffs, warned Jairo Gund, executive director of the Brazilian fishing industry association (ABIPESCA), in a recent interview on local television.

The newly imposed 50% tariff created a massive headwind for Brazilian seafood exports to the US, as Expana reported earlier this month.

Abipesca highlighted that the tariffs would lead to significant losses for the aquaculture sector...

Mowi Rolls Out Fresh Seafood Offerings at South Florida Supermarkets

Salmon farmer Mowi ASA (Mowi) recently launched some of its fresh seafood offerings at Sedano’s Supermarkets across South Florida. With this roll-out, Sedano’s shoppers can now find fresh, pre-packed skin packs of Mowi’s Atlantic salmon varieties, as well as tilapia, tuna, and snapper from Mowi’s Marine Harvest line.

Sedano’s Supermarkets first began in 1962 as a single Hispanic supermarket in Hialeah, Florida. Since then, the food retail chain has expanded to 34 locations across the state.

For this roll-out, Mowi and Sedano’s teamed up to introduce a...

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...

Regal Springs CEO Alois Hofbauer Steps Down After Five Years

Tilapia farmer Regal Springs announced that its CEO, Alois Hofbauer, will step down from his role after leading the company for five and a half years.

The move is effective June 20, and Hofbauer will transition his focus to his family business. He will stick around Regal Springs as Senior Advisor to the Board and the incoming CEO as the company seeks a seamless transition.

Graham Ellis will join the company and immediately take over as CEO. Regal Springs described its new CEO as a “proven leader...

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...

Regal Springs Introduces ASC-Certified Tilapia Tenders at Midwest Grocery Chains

Tilapia producer Regal Springs debuted its new Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) labeled Golden Delights Tilapia Tenders in retail stores in multiple US states in the Midwest.

Consumers in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin can now find Regal Springs’ new premium tilapia range at Mariano’s Fresh Market in Illinois, Metro Market and Pick ’n Save in Wisconsin and at Kowalski’s Markets in Minnesota as of August.

The new products can go from freezer to plate in 20 minutes, featuring whole tenderloin and whole muscle protein fish tenders...

Zhanjiang Guolian Tilapia Export Unit Lands $13M Investment

Chinese seafood giant Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Development Co. has announced a RMB 95 million ($13 million) capital injection into its tilapia subsidiary, Guangdong Gourmet Aquatic Food Co., through the introduction of a new shareholder, Ocean Fund.

According to a notice published by Guolian, Guangdong Gourmet’s capital will jump from RMB 65.9 million to RMB 83 million. Ocean Fund will also hold a roughly 20% ownership stake in Guangdong Gourmet. The funds will be used to optimize and upgrade the company’s production capacity, as well as expand its marketing...

Kenyan Tilapia Farmer Victory Farms Joins ASC Improvement Program

Last week, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) announced that Kenyan tilapia farmer Victory Farms became the first tilapia farm in Kenya and across Africa to participate in an Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) under the ASC’s Improver Programme.

The vertically integrated farm spans 50 hectares in western Kenya’s Homa Bay and produces 18,000 tonnes of tilapia annually, from hatchery to table.

ASC explained the milestone as “a major step forward for responsible seafood farming on the continent,” underscoring the tilapia farmer’s...

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...

Regal Springs’ Sustainability Alliance with Honduran Government Benefits Local Communities

Honduran tilapia producer Regal Springs Honduras, also known as Aquafinca St. Peter Fish, recently renewed its strategic alliance with the Government of the Republic of Honduras and the national electric company Empresa Nacional de Energia Eletrica (ENEE).

Once again, the entities will work team up to facilitate local sustainability and protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within Honduras.

A major aspect of the partnership is collaborating to strengthen key operations in the country’s hydroelectric dam El Cajón, which is the fifth largest dam in the Americas and situated in Lake El Cajón...