GSMC 2026: Seafood at Retail Defined by Subdued Consumer Sentiment, Channel Shifts and Social Buzz

Anne‑Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, opened the Global Seafood Market Conference 2026 with a data‑driven look at retail seafood. Her core message: 2025 was defined by a subdued consumer environment and unpredictable price movements, making performance harder to forecast even as seafood posted modest dollar growth.

Shopper comments captured in the presentation emphasized “astronomical” prices and affordability fatigue — “It’s tough out there,” consumers were quoted as saying in video messages during Roerink's discussion. Retail inflation remained in the...

ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Firms Amid Supply Shortage and Looming Canada-China Tariff Deal

The live lobster market has shown firmer pricing in early January, supported by tightening supply and steady export activity. Adverse weather across Maine and Canada has limited fishing opportunities, while seasonally light effort has further constrained landings. According to NOAA, Maine landings through December are approximately 12 percent below 2024 levels, underscoring a tighter-than-normal supply backdrop. Adding to market complexity are ongoing quality concerns, reported not only in stored Canadian inventory but also in newly landed product...

ANALYSIS: Bangladesh Shrimp Sector Delivers Double-Digit Export Growth

For the second consecutive year, Bangladesh has recorded double-digit growth in shrimp export values in November. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, shrimp exports reached USD 28.3 million in November, compared with USD 25.6 million one year earlier and USD 22.7 million two years ago. This represents a 24.5% increase over two years for this specific month, which traditionally marks one of the peak periods for Bangladeshi shrimp export activity...

Maruha Nichiro Set for Umios Rebrand, Rolls Out 45 Product Launches for Spring 2026

Maruha Nichiro Corporation, which will change its name to Umios Corporation on March 1, 2026, is launching a broad Spring 2026 product slate designed to target retail convenience trends, foodservice labor constraints and growing demand for sustainable protein and functional ingredients.

The company told trade press it will introduce 45 new and renewed SKUs across six categories — household frozen, canned seafood, surimi (fish-sausage) items, desserts, freeze-dried convenience and commercial frozen lines — as it repositions itself “as a solutions company that makes people...

US CBP Tightens Focus on Illegal Transshipping

US Customs and Border Protection issued a CTPAT alert on December 18, 2025, warning of a significant increase in illegal transshipping, the practice of routing and relabeling goods through third countries to evade duties, tariffs, sanctions, or quota controls. While the alert highlights industries such as steel, textiles, and electronics, seafood importers and exporters should take note as well.

CBP emphasized that illegal transshipping is not a benign logistics practice but a deliberate evasion tactic. Companies involved risk severe penalties, including seizures, fines, loss of import privileges, and criminal charges. For seafood businesses...

ANALYSIS: Russian and US Pollock Fillet Exports to Europe Surge in 2025 as China’s Share Drops

Imports of frozen pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fillets into Europe (European Union and United Kingdom) increased by 23.7% year-to-date (YTD) to October 2025, reaching 240,912 metric tonnes (mt), according to Global Trade Tracker. Russia continues to be the largest supplier to Europe, with a 43.4% market share, followed by the United States (36.0%) and China (20.5%). Exports of pollock fillets to Europe remain active, with Russian and US volumes increasing by 49.0% and 28.9%, respectively, compared with the same period...

US Senators Murphy, Blumenthal, Warren Introduce SHIFT Act to Address Climate-Driven Fishery Changes

US Senators Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal, and Elizabeth Warren have introduced the Supporting Healthy Interstate Fisheries in Transition (SHIFT) Act to aid commercial fishermen facing challenges from shifting fish populations driven by climate change.

The Act requires the US Department of Commerce to consider geographic shifts in fish populations when updating federal management plans and quota allocations. Current restrictions on Atlantic fish species are outdated, forcing fishermen to travel farther or discard valuable catches. The SHIFT Act aims to modernize quotas to address...

Senator Collins Secures FY 2026 Funding for Maine's Lobster Industry

US Senator Susan Collins successfully secured funding and support for Maine's lobster industry in the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill. This bill, approved by both the Senate and the House, awaits the President's signature.

Key details include:

North Atlantic Right Whale: $30 million allocated to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Right Whale-related research and monitoring. Additionally, language in the bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate with Canada on developing risk reduction measures...

Canada and China Reach Deal to Remove Tariffs on Lobster, Snow Crab by March 1, 2026

Canada and China have reached an initial trade agreement that will eliminate tariffs on Canadian lobster, snow crab, and select agri-food products. The agreement, announced January 16, sets a target of March 1 for China to remove retaliatory duties, reinstating market access after a steep 25% tariff hindered Canadian seafood exports.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the deal would remove trade barriers and “unlock billions of dollars in business for Canadian farmers, fish harvesters, and workers across agri-food sectors...

Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Urgent Recall of Select Tuna Products Due to Distribution Error

Tri-Union Seafoods has announced a critical recall of certain tuna products after a third-party distributor inadvertently released quarantined items associated with a previous February 2025 recall.

Expana reported that the initial recall was prompted by manufacturing defects in the "easy open" pull tab can lids, which posed risks of product leakage and potential contamination with clostridium botulinum, a severe form of food poisoning that can be fatal.

The current recall was triggered once Tri-Union Seafoods discovered the unauthorized distribution...

Russia Plans to Turn South Korea into One of its Major Destinations for Seafood Supplies

Russia plans to turn South Korea into one of major trade destinations for the supplies of its fish and seafood in years to come.

That will be achieved by the increase of supplies in both volume and value terms.

In recent years, imports of Russian fish to the South Korean market have already exceeded some historic highs, while the growth is currently ongoing. This is also confirmed by some latest official statistics of the Korean Statistical Service, according...

Lobsterfest Makes Waves with Its Limited-Time Return to Red Lobster

Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster for a limited time, bringing with it a beloved tradition that dates back to 1984. What began as a Valentine’s Day celebration has since grown into an annual event for seafood lovers everywhere.

"Lobsterfest is the event our guests eagerly anticipate each year," said Damola Adamolekun, CEO of Red Lobster. "It’s our annual celebration that showcases iconic fan-favorite dishes alongside new lobster creations—all on a single menu. Lobsterfest embodies the essence of Red Lobster...

ANALYSIS: EU–UK Shrimp Imports Maintain Upward Trend Amid Shifting Supply Dynamics

The EU–UK region continues to record positive growth in shrimp imports in 2025, although the latest trade data show a narrowing gap compared with 2024. Eurostat has released November figures showing a 7.7% year-on-year increase in import volumes to 68,687 metric tons, while import values rose by 16.2% to USD 526.5 million.

On a month-on-month basis, November volumes declined by 5.1% compared with October, a slowdown that was largely...

Nissui to Expand South American Salmon Production to Over 80,000t as Pesquera Yadran Deal Closes

Japanese seafood giant Nissui said it will expand its South American salmon aquaculture business to over 80,000 tons per year by the end of the decade, roughly 2.5 times higher than its current production level.

The bold goal came alongside the company’s announcement that it has completed its acquisition of Chilean salmon farming company Pesquera Yadran (PY), first announced in December of last year, as Expana reported.

The increased Chilean salmon goal aligns with the company’s long-term “GOOD FOODS 2030” vision...

Japan: November Surimi Product Output up 4.5%, January-November up 10.7%

According to a Minato Shimbun report, the Food Supply and Demand Research Center released a preliminary estimate of surimi products production for November 2025, up 4.5% from the same month last year to 35,596 tons. Fried product increased 8% to 14,849 tons.

Fried product has now seen its 11th consecutive month of growth in 2025. Chikuwa grilled tube increased 10.6% to 4,673 tons, and ita kamaboko, steamed surimi on a wooden board, increased 7% to 4,135 tons, maintaining production increases for both items for 11 consecutive...

Russia Eyes Further Live Crab Export Growth to China in 2026

Russia plans to further increase crab exports to China in 2026, with particular focus on live crab supplies, which remain in strong demand among Chinese consumers.

Last year, Russia exported up to 38,500 tons of live crab to China, marking a 10% increase over 2024 and a 20% rise compared to 2023. In value terms, these exports amounted to approximately US$1.1 billion.

These figures are expected to grow further in 2026, as Russian fishermen place high hopes on continued strong demand from China...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...