Access, Concentration, and Risk: The New Structure of Global Crab Trade

The 2026 global crab market is increasingly defined by concentration and control. Two dominant poles now shape global trade flows: the United States, which has consolidated its position as the world’s premier destination for king and snow crab, and China, which continues to absorb the majority of Russian live production at record levels. In this environment, competitive advantage is no longer driven by tonnage alone, but by secure access, disciplined inventory management, and credible supply chains.

This concentration has left secondary markets—particularly in Asia—more exposed to currency...

ANALYSIS: US Squid Imports Plunge in November as Buyers Await Indian Tariff Clarity

The U.S. squid market maintains a full steady to firm undertone, with elevated tariff structures across all major origins continuing to constrain supply channels and support pricing. The confirmation of Indian squid tariff reductions from 50% to 18% has introduced substantial change to the industry's competitive landscape, with India positioned to regain more competitive pricing against competing suppliers...

New York Man Charged in Snow Crab, Blueberries Heist After Allegedly Hacking Trucking Company Emails

A New York man was arrested and charged with allegedly hacking into the email accounts of trucking companies and using them to book cargo shipments containing snow crab, blueberries, and designer cologne and selling them for profit

Romoy Forbes, a Jamaican National residing in Deer Park, NY, was charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods and conspiracy to commit that offense, according to the US Attorney's Office of the District of Massachusetts. He was arrested in Long Island, NY and...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Imports Fell by 3% in Volume; Pollock Surimi up 36% from Russia, Down 11% from the US 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 29th, the volume of marine product imports in 2025 (preliminary figures, including seafood and seafood preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) decreased 3% from the previous year to 2,024,014 tons, while import value increased 4% to 2,381,400,000 yen ($15,175,740.60). Fresh and frozen tuna increased 6% to 186,362 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout remained the same as the previous year at 219,397 tons, and sea urchin...

Atlantic Sapphire Seeks Up to $25 Million to Sustain Phase 1 Turnaround Toward EBITDA Breakeven

Atlantic Sapphire ASA outlined a financing plan to support its ongoing Phase 1 turnaround and target EBITDA breakeven, according to a February 5 update. The company says it is evaluating funding options of roughly USD 15–25 million to underpin continued execution across production, processing and commercial operations and to ensure liquidity headroom through the planning horizon.

Over the last 18 months, Atlantic Sapphire has pursued a broad-based operational overhaul, reporting tangible gains in harvest biomass (4,365 tons HOG in 2024 to...

ANALYSIS: US Groundfish Imports Show November Gains but Yearly Deficits Keep Prices Firm

November import data reveals a groundfish market marked by uneven month-over-month gains and persistent structural supply constraints. While cod and pollock experienced monthly increases in shipments, year-to-date volumes remain significantly lower than 2024, reinforcing upward price momentum in twice-frozen Atlantic and Pacific cod loins...

New Coalition Calls on Administration to Safeguard USMCA, Highlighting Ag and Seafood Stakes

The Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, backed by 40 farm and agricultural groups, launched today with a new website and an ad blitz in Washington DC as it pushes to defend and strengthen the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of the Trump administration's July 2026 review.

The new coalition aims to highlight the USMCA's critical importance to the US farm economy and to call for its renewal with ag-targeted improvements.

“USMCA is one of President Trump’s...

Rabobank: Salmon Supply Growth to Stall, Tariffs, Trade Shifts to Drive Shrimp Volume

Resilient consumer demand is keeping prices firm across major aquaculture species as 2026 gets underway, even with constrained supply, shifting trade flows, and geopolitical uncertainty continuing to test seafood markets around the world, according to Rabobank’s latest Global Aquaculture Update.

“While inflation has eased in major economies, supporting demand, the industry still faces headwinds from macroeconomic uncertainty, evolving tariff regimes, and climate‑related pressures,” said Novel Sharma, Seafood analyst at RaboResearch.

Farmed salmon input is expected to largely stall in 2026, with a potential...

John Williams Retires and Blake Price Steps In as Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance

The Southern Shrimp Alliance announced changes in leadership earlier this week with the retirement of long-time executive director John Williams and the appointment of former Deputy Director Blake Price. Williams has agreed to act in an advisory capacity through June to ensure a smooth transition. 

Williams is leaving a transformed Southern Shrimp Alliance. From the outset, serving first as secretary and then quickly moving into the role of Executive Director, Williams tackled issues head-on while building relationships with government officials, fishermen, scientists...

President Trump Restores Commercial Fishing Access to Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument

Just before the weekend, President Trump signed a proclamation restoring commercial fishing access to all 4,913 square miles of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which is located off the New England coast.

The President is committed to removing what he describes as "unnecessary restrictions" on American fishermen. He says this move will strengthen the US economy, support coastal communities, and restore fairness in the industry.

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was established in 2016 by President Obama, banning commercial fishing...

Boston Sword & Tuna, Vikenco Settle Litigation, Confirm Ongoing Partnership

Boston Sword & Tuna (BST) resolved its litigation against the Norwegian salmon company Vikenco AS, the companies announced in a joint statement on February 5.

The resolution will see the long-standing partnership between the two firms remain in place. The settlement will resolve all claims between the parties, with no admissions of liability or wrongdoing by either party.

In April 2025, BST and its parent company, Fortune International, filed a lawsuit against a former employee and Vikenco North America.

The legal complaint, filed on April 29, 2025...

Norway's Annual Salmon Mortality Rate Dips Below 15% for First Time in Several Years

The annual mortality rate (mortality risk) for farmed salmon in Norway finished 2025 at an estimated 14.2%, down from 15.4% a year ago and 16.7% in 2023, according to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. This marks the first time the rate has fallen below 15% in several years.

The calculations were based on monthly records of the number of dead and live fish that farmers reported to Norwegian authorities, the institute explained.

“Several players have reported lower loss figures in 2025 and the Veterinary Institute's calculations support...

Kroger Names Ex-Walmart Executive as its New CEO

Kroger has announced the appointment of Greg Foran as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Ron Sargent, who has been serving as interim CEO since March of last year.

"Greg is a highly respected operator who knows how to run large-scale retail businesses, strengthen store execution, and lead high-performing teams," said Sargent. "His leadership style, focus on the customer, commitment to associates, and disciplined approach to execution are the perfect fit for Kroger. The Board is confident Greg is the right leader to guide Kroger into its next chapter."

Ecuador Pushes US Negotiations Amid Potential Shrimp Shift Back to India After Tariff Cut

Following the recent India-US trade agreement lowering shrimp tariffs, Jose Antonio Camposano, head of Ecuador's National Aquaculture Chamber, urged renewed trade negotiations with the US to safeguard the country's position in its top shrimp export market.

“This is crucial for shrimp, which accounts for 30% of our non-oil exports to that market. Taking full advantage of all negotiation opportunities is key to consolidating and expanding the space gained in that strategic destination,” Camposano wrote on social media platform X on February 2...

Surimi Producer Trans-Ocean Products Appoints Chris Cameron as President

Trans-Oceans Products, a US-based surimi producer, announced the appointment of Chris Cameron as its new President.

Cameron assumed the role of head of the firm, which is owned by the Japanese seafood giant Maruha Nichiro, on January 1, 2026. Cameron succeeds Murry Park, who served as President and CEO of the company since 2014.

"I'm honored to step into the role of President and build on the strong foundation that has made Trans-Ocean a leader in the surimi seafood category," said Cameron...

The Curse and the Blessing of Diverse Fisheries For Communities that Rim Alaska’s Bering Sea

In Anchorage this week and next, the federal, state, and local fisheries managers, industry stakeholders, and scientists are addressing ways to reduce chum salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea trawl fishery. Hundreds of miles away in communities that rim the Bering Sea from Bethel to Nome, and along the two river systems that feed the Bering Sea, the Yukon and Kuskokwim, residents are also grappling with chum bycatch off their shores, and how much it may be impacting the disappearance of chum from the rivers...

BioMar Acquires Outstanding Shares in Ecuador, Maintaining Strategic Partnership

BioMar announced today its purchase of the remaining 30% stake in BioMar Ecuador and its expansion of 2026 production capacity from 300,000 tonnes to 410,000 tonnes. 

Following a successful partnership that quadrupled the company's feed volumes from 2019 to 2024, BioMar and the Lanec family have agreed to transfer full ownership of the company to BioMar. 

“It has been an incredible journey together with Lanec,” said Carlos Diaz, CEO, BioMar Group. “We were new to the Ecuadorian world of shrimp when entering the joint venture, and Lanec has...