ANALYSIS: US Scallops See Higher Landings and Lower Fuel Costs, Yet Prices Remain Elevated

The domestic scallop market presents a notable contrast as operational conditions show some improvement while pricing remains elevated. Diesel fuel costs have declined through late 2025 and into early 2026, providing some relief to vessel operations amid broader industry challenges. Additionally, domestic landings increased 10.5% in 2025, adding supply to a market that has faced constraints in recent periods.

Despite these developments, domestic scallop prices across categories continue at elevated levels, with U/10s remaining significantly above historical averages and 10/20s tracking...

Norwegian Salmon Leader Mowi Launches Processing Facility to Serve Thailand Market

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi opened its first processing plant in Thailand this week, according to Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council's director for Southeast Asia.

The facility was built alongside the largest salmon importer and retailer in Thailand, CP Axtra, according to Nakken’s LinkedIn post. The partnership will see Mowi supply salmon products to CP’s customers through its retail chains and the foodservice sector.

“Today marks a meaningful step forward, not only for Mowi and CP Axtra but also for the future of...

Ode Scores Milestone as Top Cod Supplier in Norway, Acquires 3 Farming Sites

Norwegian cod farmer Ode, after celebrating its spot as the top supplier of cod out of Norway in 2025, announced a deal to acquire three farming sites from Vesterålen Havbruk, it announced on January 27.

Ode said the sites Apalset, Stokkeneset, and Rekvika previously belonged to the listed company Statt Torsk and became part of Vesterålen Havbruk following the 2024 merger. Since 2024, the Rekvika site has been operated jointly by the Ode and Vesterålen Havbruk, while the other two sites...

Russia Plans Major 2026 Catch Increases for Crab, Fish Species

Russia plans to significantly raise total allowable catch quotas for specific fish species and crabs in 2026, based on data from recent scientific expeditions.

Rosrybolovstvo reports that greenling quotas in the North Kuril subzone will increase by 54.1% to 18,500 tons. Cod quotas in the South Kuril subzone are set to grow by 8.7%, while whelk quotas in the North Okhotsk subzone will rise by 19%.

Crab quotas will also see increases due to significant stock growth. Kamchatka crab catch limits in the West Sakhalin subzone...

GOMSO 1,000-Year JOTGAL Launches “Kkini-Kkini,” a Single-Serve Korean Fermented Seafood Brand

GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL has introduced "Kkini-Kkini," a new brand that translates to "each and every meal" in Korean. This product offers a single-serve portion of Jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

"Our goal is to position our products as a versatile K-Superfood that adds healthy depth to any global cuisine," said a spokesperson for GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL. "By introducing this portable Korean traditional fermented seafood to the international market, GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL...

2025 Survey: Pollock Biomass Down by 30%, Snow Crab Up by 51% in Eastern Bering Sea

The walleye pollock biomass dropped by 30% from 2024, according to results of the annual eastern Bering Sea trawl survey, but a much smaller portion found in the northern Bering Sea rose by 50.6% YOY. 

Pollock is the largest contributor of biomass in both the eastern and northern Bering Sea. It accounts for 28% of the EBS and 23% of the NBS, making it the largest US commercial fishery.  

Even with a 30% drop in biomass, there is enough for the conservation-led...

Three Dead, Three Missing After Vessel Serving Salmones Austral Sinks in Chile

Chilean salmon farmer Salmones Austral confirmed that a vessel it uses sank Jan. 27 in the Reloncaví Estuary in Chile’s Los Lagos region, leaving three crew members confirmed dead and three missing, local media and the Chilean navy reported.

Salmones Austral said the Koñimo I sank while anchored about 70 meters from shore and under normal weather conditions. The company noted that the vessel, owned by Koñimo, provides sporadic services to Salmones Austral and that the crew had finished work at 6 p.m. local time the previous day...

The Retail Rundown: Protein Movement Gains from Championship Game and Severe Weather 

February is typically a sluggish period for protein sales, but demand tied to the season’s championship football matchup is delivering a timely lift for retailers. As shoppers prepare for watch parties and at-home gatherings, meat cases are seeing an uptick in interest for value-oriented, crowd-friendly cuts.

This week’s promotional mix leans toward beef, which accounts for 26% of total features. Seafood follows closely at 25%, while pork represents 24%. Chicken promotions eased to 17.5%, and egg features held steady at 4%. Turkey ads account for 2% of total ads, led by ground turkey features...

China’s Fish Exports to Russia Reach Decade High in 2025

China increased its fish supplies to the Russian market to a ten-year high in 2025, with export growth continuing into 2026.

The latest figures, reported by Russian newswire RIA Novosti and based on Chinese customs data, show Chinese companies exported fish to Russia worth US$188.3 million in 2025 – up from US$141.1 million in 2024. The 34% year-on-year increase marked the highest level since 2015...

GSMC 2026: Wells Fargo’s Jansen Says Supply Chain Healthy as Tariffs, Trade Shifts Force Adjustments

Wells Fargo's Jeremy Jansen told Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) attendees that the global supply chain is generally healthy, even as tariffs and shifting trade flows prompt buyers and suppliers to adjust their sourcing and financing.

Drawing on the bank's “pressure gauge” of 15 logistics, price, labor and inventory indicators benchmarked to pre‑COVID levels, he said most signals are green: container costs that spiked above $10,000 during COVID are back in the low‑to‑mid thousands, labor tightness at ports and warehouses...

Baja Fresh Debuts Blackened Citrus Menu

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has introduced its new Blackened Citrus menu, featuring a house-made citrus orange salsa and a trio of new offerings available as a bowl, burrito, or taco combo.

"Our new Blackened Citrus menu items bring together your choice of smoky, seasoned protein with a bright citrus finish to create a bold and balanced flavor," said Logan Reves, vice president of restaurant operations at Baja Fresh. "Baja Fresh remains true to its roots of serving fresh, flavorful food while continuing to innovate, giving customers...

Coast Guard Halts Illegal Use of "Paper Captains" in WA-Based Tuna Fishing Operation

The Coast Guard ceased the use of illegal foreign nationals on a commercial fishing vessel that operated out of the State of Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 19.

A Coast Guard Sector Columbia River law enforcement team inspected an 89-foot fishing vessel and determined that the vessel was in violation of the Jones Act - specifically, they were in violation for utilizing a "paper captain.”

Paper captain is a term applied to an individual listed on documents as a U.S.-flagged vessel's captain but in actuality...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates Show Modest Gains in November and December

Imports for November 2025 will be released this Thursday morning. Below are the October tables (for reference), along with our forecast estimates for November and December. Pricing continues to show sporadic downward pressure on HLSO, PDTO, EZ-Peel and PDToff (naturally, less pressure on peeled). These fluctuations suggest the market may be near a bottom, but ongoing data collection will confirm if these marginal price declines persist...

California Reaches Settlement with PAFCO Over Prop 65 Violations in Seafood Products

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on January 26 a settlement with Pacific American Fish Company, Inc. (PAFCO) following allegations that the seafood distributor and manufacturer sold frozen products with high levels of lead and cadmium in California without the required warnings, thereby violating Proposition 65 and California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

State-identified toxic heavy metals, cadmium and lead, accumulate in the body over time, posing significant health risks.

Cadmium exposure can lead to reproductive harm and birth defects, while lead exposure is associated...

Chili’s Extends Growth Streak to 19 Quarters in Brinker’s Q2 Results

Brinker International, parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy, reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

For the period ended December 24, 2025, Brinker posted a 7.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales, driven by strong performance at Chili’s, where comparable sales rose 8.6%. Comparable sales at Maggiano’s declined during the quarter.

Chili’s growth was fueled by continued menu innovation, competitive pricing, and disciplined execution, allowing the brand to expand its customer base and remain the company’s top performer.

Valentine’s Day Dining Trends Show Shift Beyond Romance According to OpenTable

Restaurants are gearing up for the next major dining holiday: Valentine’s Day.

According to global restaurant tech company OpenTable, this year the industry continues to see a shift as consumers celebrate more than just romantic relationships. From friendships to family and self-love, Valentine’s Day is becoming more inclusive, and restaurants are at the center of it.

"Gen-Z is leading the charge in making Valentine's Day more inclusive," said Cheryl Paniagua, VP of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable.

The data shows that 60%...

BioMar Says it Delivered Solid 2025

Based on the preliminary results from its owner, Schouw & Co., BioMar concluded 2025 with a revenue of DKK 16.5 billion as well as an EBITDA of DKK 1,517 million.

The owner of BioMar Group, Schouw & Co., has today announced the preliminary unaudited financial figures for 2025. These includes that BioMar recorded a revenue in 2025 of DKK 16.5 billion, compared to guidance of DKK 16.3–16.7 billion, and an EBITDA of DKK 1,517 million, compared to guidance of DKK 1,490–1,530 million.

“I am very pleased to conclude the year with such strong results.