CenSea Launches CenSea Reserve Premium Shrimp Line in Partnership with Minh Phu

CenSea, a leading frozen seafood importer and distributor, has unveiled CenSea Reserve, a premium shrimp sub-brand created to set a higher standard across foodservice and retail markets. The product was developed in partnership with Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, the world's largest vertically integrated shrimp producer.

“CenSea Reserve is the outcome of asking a very direct question: what does premium actually mean, and how do you make it repeatable at scale,” said Nate Torch, Co-President of CenSea. “The Reserve brand was built end to end...

Southstream Seafoods to Source Sea Harvest's Products Under Exclusive US Agreement

Rhode Island-based importer Southstream Seafoods has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with South African seafood giant Sea Harvest, positioning itself as the sole representative of the company’s products in the US market.

The deal spans Sea Harvest’s entire portfolio, though early efforts will center on deep‑skinned, frozen‑at‑sea Cape Hake fillets — a core species in South Africa’s export mix.

“This is not a brand collaboration — it's a supply‑chain advantage for US buyers,” said Mark Soderstrom, President of Southstream Seafoods...

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F/V Arctic Sea Leaking Fuel, Cleanup Hindered by Persistent Storm and Freezing Temps 

The 134’ crabber Arctic Sea that ran aground on the shore of Saint George Island a week ago has now started spilling oil. The storm that caused the grounding has not let up and is keeping response crews from the area. The Department of Environmental Conservation said it is not yet clear how much oil has been spilled to date.

“The visually observed sheening extended approximately 6-8 miles long and 200 yards offshore as seen on January 7, 2026. The quantity released is unknown...

From Restructuring to Revival, TGI Fridays’ Global Growth Strategy

On to brighter days

Home to the infamous Jack Daniel’s–infused whiskey sauce, TGI Fridays has navigated a challenging stretch over the past couple of years, marked by the retirement and return of CEO Ray Blanchette, store closures, and a Chapter 11 filing at the end of 2024.

However, a turnaround has taken shape, as menu innovation and global expansion gained momentum in 2025 and continue to carry the brand forward into 2026.

On November 2, 2024, TGI Fridays announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy , seeking...

ANALYSIS: Argentina's Red Shrimp Faces Market Shifts as Exports Slide

Argentina’s shrimp exports remain under pressure despite strong seasonal sales in September and October.

November volumes fell 34.8% year‑on‑year, according to the Argentinian National Institute of Statistics, leaving the January–November year‑to‑date volume down 22.0% and export value down 12.0% in USD. Disruptions since March — notably strikes in the sea‑frozen fishing sector tied to broader social unrest — have disrupted monthly shipments: every month this year stands below 2024 levels except April, which was flat...

Top 10 Headlines on Expana in 2025—and What Could Shape the Next Year in Food and Ag

2025 was a big year for news in the food and agriculture industry. Headlines ranging from livestock diseases and sweeping policy changes to rising geopolitical tensions, shifting tariffs, weather events, and evolving consumer trends influenced commercial strategies, supply chains, and global market dynamics... 

Cold Storage Shortfall Spurs Russian Plans for Capacity Expansion

Russia intends to expand its refrigeration and warehousing capacity for fish and seafood in the coming years. The country continues to face shortages in these facilities, which the state has identified as a priority area for fisheries development.

Estimates from Rosrybolovstvo and independent analysts put the shortfall at around 80,000 tonnes in the Far East and about 50,000 tonnes in the North.

Plans under consideration could add new refrigeration facilities with a total capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes nationwide. In the Far East, efforts are expected to focus...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Imports Contract Sharply as Tariff and Certification Issues Reshape Supply

Official US shrimp import figures for October aligned closely with our segmented estimates, revealing pronounced contractions across key product categories and supplier countries as regulatory and market factors continued to reshape import flows.

By Product Type: Estimates vs Official Figures

- Peeled shrimp imports registered 57.4 million pounds, matching the midpoint of our forecast range. Year-to-date (YTD), peeled volumes remain at record highs — roughly 10–11% above last year. However, October’s year-over-year (YoY) contraction was steep at 30%, deeper...

High Liner Foodservice Launches Fully Cooked Whitefish Line Targeting C-store, QSR Operators

Value-added frozen seafood company High Liner Foods has debuted a brand-new portfolio of fully cooked offerings via its Foodservice division.

The new product line includes fully cooked whitefish items, providing solutions for foodservice operators and distributors.

“High Liner Foods has over a century of expertise in seafood excellence, and innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Anthony Rasetta, Chief Commercial Officer at High Liner Foods. “Our new line of responsibly sourced, fully cooked products opens up opportunities for operators and distributors...

In Denying to Hear the Case, the Supreme Court Hands Alaska Natives a Win on the Kuskokwim

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected the state of Alaska’s petition to review a ruling affirming Alaska Native fishing rights in a case tied to a broader legal battle over subsistence fishing that began more than 40 years ago. 

In an article published in Courthouse News, Lloyd Miller, attorney for the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, described the petition as the fourth time a court has ruled against Alaska’s attempt to “wipe out the subsistence fishing and hunting rights that rural Alaskans...

UNFI Identifies Key Trends Shaping Fresh Departments for Retailers in 2026

While shoppers are spending more deliberately, the fresh departments are still earning their attention. Categories including produce, floral, bakery, deli, specialty cheese, meat, and seafood are outperforming the rest of the store, with fresh product sales up 3.7% year over year*.

That performance reflects shifting shopper expectations: better taste, stronger nutrition, added convenience, and more transparency from the products they buy.

For retailers, success in fresh now depends on understanding these drivers and partnering with experts who can translate trends into execution on the sales floor.

Ron Selders, UNFI’s President...

Shell-ebration: US and China Crab Markets Soar in 2025

At first glance, 2025 appears to mark a recovery year for global crab markets, with higher volumes, improved availability, and prices that largely held firm. A closer look, however, reveals a market that has become more fragmented and more strategic than at any point since sanctions reshaped global trade.

Demand from the United States and China continues to dominate global flows, pulling supply away from secondary markets and rewarding only those origins able to deliver at scale, in compliance, and with certainty. U.S. imports from Canada and Norway reached...

ANALYSIS: Salmon Harvest Dynamics and Sea Temperature Trends in Norway

The total biomass of farmed Atlantic salmon at sea is trending slightly lower than in November 2024, declining by 0.2% (Figure 1), according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. However, the live biomass increased by 0.7% month-on-month (m-o-m). The accumulated harvest until November grew by 12.3% year-to-date (YTD), despite a slowdown in salmon removals since October. In November, the harvest dropped by 14.5% m-o-m and by 2.1% year-on-year (y-o-y) (Figure 1)...

Alaska Pollock Processors Drop Foreign Worker Program, Citing Uncertainty

Some of Alaska's largest pollock processors are abandoning a foreign worker visa program that once supplied up to half their workforce, citing rising costs and uncertainty under stricter immigration policies.

Tom Enlow is the president and CEO of UniSea Seafoods, Unalaska’s largest seafood processor. He said the company is moving away from the H-2B visas to save money on an inconsistent system.

“The H-2B program, I think was good for Alaska at a time when we really needed them, you know, during the pandemic...

Konane Zager Faces Maximum Penalties for Illegal Longline Fishing in Hawaii State Waters

Konane Zager, owner of the vessel Waiʻaka, faces substantial penalties for violating longline fishing laws last May. The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) unanimously adopted the Division of Aquatic Resources' (DAR) recommendations for maximum penalties.

"State law prohibits longline fishing in state waters to protect local fisheries and traditional fishing grounds. The board’s decision reflects the seriousness of this violation and the commitment of our enforcement and resource management teams to uphold these protections." commented DAR Administrator...

Snow Crab Price Dispute Continues As Rebate Calculation Divides Newfoundland Industry

The end‑of‑season settlement payment for the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab season was announced yesterday, and harvesters reacted with disappointment.

FFAW‑Unifor, the union representing the province's harvesters, said auditors from Deloitte completed their analysis and set a final rebate of $0.28, yielding a total price of $5.25/lb.

“Based on the available market information, the calculated rebate amount is far below what the Negotiating Committee expected,” FFAW said in a news release. “Today's rebate results are the final straw for fish harvesters who are...

AK Delegation Introduce Bycatch Reduction Act to Address "Unprecedented Challenges"

As promised, Alaska’s Congressional Delegation has followed up on 2022’s Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act with a broader approach to benefit other commercial species caught in Alaska. 

Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Representative Nick Begich introduced the bill earlier this week in both houses of Congress. 

“In recent years, Alaskans have witnessed unprecedented declines among some fish and crab species in parts of the state while, in other parts, runs have been strong and historic,” said Sullivan...