ANALYSIS: Exchange Rate Relief Cushions US Shrimp Farmgate Costs Despite Tariff Pressures

Farmgate shrimp prices adjusted for yield and exchange rates present a more stable picture than replacement cost headlines suggest, but the story shifts dramatically once tariffs enter the equation. While origin-level costs in India track near mid-2022 levels even with current tariffs included, US importers face significantly compressed margins as replacement costs squeeze profitability across product forms...

Coast Guard Removes Press Release on American Seafoods Pollock Roe Seizure

The US Coast Guard removed a press release from its website detailing the seizure of $65,000 worth of Alaska pollock roe from American Seafoods' catcher-processor Northern Eagle.

The Coast Guard told Alaska's NBC-2 KTUU that it removed the posts to prevent "unintended consequences, distractions from NOAA's ongoing investigation, or confusion about the compliance record within the Alaska pollock fishery."

The USCG said it pushed back on the case's conclusions, noting the issue shouldn't be viewed as evidence of illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing in one...

ANALYSIS: Downward Pressure on Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Prices Through Week 15

The Norwegian Atlantic farm salmon price reached its highest point in week 11 (March 16) of 2026 to date and has since been moving downward. According to market participants, the demand remained irregular and somewhat fair. More recently, week 15 (April 13) closed with a weak market undertone, following the pattern seen in previous weeks. On the supply side, market participants reported that supplies were fully adequate to meet current lackluster buying interest, contributing to further downward pressure on Norwegian prices...

Governor Appoints Three to Alaska Board of Fish While State Legislators Express Escalating Concern

For most of his two terms, Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy has issued a press release in late March or early April on appointments to the state’s Board of Fisheries, which, along with the Board of Game, oversees the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

Not this year. Almost a month ago, Dunleavy penned an identical letter to two new appointees and one incumbent, thanking them for accepting the appointment to the seven-member board. 

The two new appointments, Josh Hayes and Blair Hickson, are replacing...

Northern Cod Enters MSC Sustainability Assessment After Decades-Long Recovery

Newfoundland's Northern cod stock has officially entered the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) assessment process for sustainability certification, marking a significant milestone for the fishery that collapsed in the 1990s and led to the MSC's creation.

The announcement came during the Northern Cod Fishery Improvement Project's update at the Global Seafood Expo in Barcelona on April 20, building on positive momentum from recent stock assessments showing the fishery's remarkable recovery.

Earlier this month, Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed the stock had grown...

Circana Forecasts 3% Foodservice Growth Across US and Europe in 2026

Circana projects US and European foodservice spend will grow 3% in 2026, as evolving consumer behaviors reshape demand across channels, dayparts and formats.

Speaking at Alimentaria, VP Foodservice Europe Edurne Uranga noted that while the two regions share common trends, they differ structurally. “The reality is more nuanced. The two markets share common dynamics, particularly the blurring of channels as new touchpoints emerge to capture immediate consumption occasions, but diverge in important structural ways.”

In the US, convenience stores are driving disruption...

7-Eleven Recalls Sandwiches Across Western Canada Over Listeria Concerns

7-Eleven has recalled various sandwich products across Western Canada due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to a food recall warning posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on April 14.

The recall affects sandwiches sold in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan provinces and was triggered by 7-Eleven Canada. No illnesses linked to the recalled products have been reported as of publication.

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation that may lead to additional recalls and is verifying that the recalled products have been removed from...

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Ocean Group Over Multi-Facility Listeria Contamination

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter on March 3 to Los Angeles-based Ocean Group Inc. following inspections at four seafood processing facilities that revealed widespread Listeria monocytogenes contamination and serious sanitation violations.

The agency found the same strain of L. monocytogenes across Ocean Group's Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas facilities between May and September 2025, with whole genome sequencing linking the pathogen to clinical isolates from ill people dating back to 2017. The contamination represents a "resident pathogen...

Online Grocery Set to Drive Majority of US Grocery Growth Through 2028

Online grocery shopping has firmly entered the mainstream, according to a new report from FMI – The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ, which positions e-commerce as a primary driver of future grocery growth.

"Ecommerce is poised for extensive growth," said Jack O’Leary, director of ecommerce strategic insights for NIQ. "With online grocery sales increasing at a projected 11.6% annual rate through 2028 and already accounting for about one-fifth of total grocery spending, success now hinges on how well retailers connect digital and physical...

Lithuanian Vičiūnai, French Frais Embal Win Top 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards

Vičiūnai Group of Lithuania and Frais Embal of France captured the top prizes at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards during Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, beating 35 finalists from 16 countries.

Vičiūnai Group took the Best Retail Product award for its Smoked Herring Slices – Natural Flavor, a ready-to-eat product featuring simple ingredients and a smoky taste. Judges praised the well-balanced herring and smoke flavors, precise slicing and packing, and eye-catching packaging design.

Expana caught up with Vičiūnai at Seafood Expo North America last month...

US House Moves the FISH Act Out of Natural Resources, Along with Seven Other Bills

Tuesday, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported the FISH Act, a bill that will strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

“House Committee on Natural Resources members are dedicated to enacting commonsense policies to support rural communities across America,” remarked Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)  

“Today’s markup advanced legislation that will ….combat illegal fishing activities… I look forward to working with the sponsors to advance these bills through the House,” said Westerman...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers Balance Premium Cuts and Value Picks Ahead of Mother’s Day

Early signs of grilling season are emerging, with retailers striking a balance between premium beef offerings and value-focused pork and chicken to draw in shoppers. At the same time, they’re preparing to compete for share during one of the year’s biggest foodservice-driven occasions: Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day, falling on May 10 this year, is a holiday typically dominated by restaurants, with 63% of consumers planning a special outing and total spending projected to hit a record $38 billion, according to the National Retail...

For 2026 Norway is Turning its Marketing Focus Away From the US to China. Here’s Why.

At their annual meeting last January, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) announced a shift in their marketing focus away from the United States and towards China, supported by a new Trends Report.  

The next few months' export data illustrated the new policy. NSC released their report, “The Year of China” recently with detailed demographics and trends that support the new policy. 

The report notes that China’s four tier-one cities — Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen — each with populations in excess of 18 million people...

Private Label Reaches New Milestone Across Europe’s Biggest Grocery Markets

Circana reports private label has reached a new milestone in Europe, hitting a 50% unit share across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK for the first time. The gain reflects sustained pressure from higher living costs, with store brands steadily expanding share since 2021 by more than three percentage points.

Circana’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth Insights, Ananda Roy, said, "Supermarket private label brands have spent the last decade becoming powerful brands in their own right. Given that a normal shopping...

Andfjord Salmon Secures $42 Million in Funding, Reports Strong Biological Performance

Norwegian land-based salmon farmer Andfjord Salmon announced a strategic partnership with Eidsfjord Sjøfarm and is raising a minimum NOK 300 million through a private placement at NOK 27.50 per share, with Eidsfjord committing an additional NOK 100 million investment.

The partnership includes substantial post-smolt deliveries from Andfjord to Eidsfjord in 2026 and 2027, with approximately 1 million planned for 2026 alone. The agreement also secures Andfjord's smolt sourcing and processing capacity through Holmøy Havbruk.

Andfjord reported excellent biological and operational metrics... 

Day 54 of Iran War: Ceasefire Extended as US Maintains Naval Blockade

US President Donald Trump extended the Iran ceasefire to allow more time for Tehran to submit a proposal and for negotiations to continue, while keeping a US naval blockade on Iranian ports in place. Iran called the blockade a violation of the truce and said it would not negotiate under pressure.

Tensions remain high across the region, with continued violence in the West Bank and southern Lebanon despite ceasefires.  Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely constrained, heightening concerns over global oil supplies, as both sides blame...

Pokeworks Launches Poke Bombs as Growth Momentum Continues

Pokeworks, a fast-casual poke brand, is launching Poke Bombs, a new menu item featuring sweet inari tofu pockets filled with white rice, topped with fresh poke and finished with a soy glaze. The lineup spotlights the flavors of ahi tuna, salmon, surimi and lobster.

"We're seeing more guests looking for food that keeps up with their day," said Mike Wu, Co-Founder and Head of Concept at Pokeworks. "Poke Bombs make it easy to grab something fresh and satisfying, whether you're on your...