ANALYSIS: Downward Pressure Persists Across US Shrimp as VA–HLSO Spread Nears Resistance

US shrimp prices remain under downward pressure across major forms. HLSO and HOSO are weakest, while peeled shows continued but smaller declines. The price spread between peeled and headless shrimp has widened toward a historical resistance level, consistent with cross‑price elasticity signals that demand is shifting toward peeled due to perceived value, though the spread could stabilize or compress if conditions normalize.

The data imply a broader pattern: downward pressure across all categories...

Acosta Group Unveils 2026 Top Consumer Predictions  

Acosta Group has unveiled its four consumer predictions for 2026, highlighting the increasing importance of personalization and innovation for achieving success and relevance.

Colin Stewart, EVP of Business Intelligence at Acosta Group, noted, "Technology and evolving consumer lifestyles continue to reshape the shopping experience, as do the expectations, priorities, and values driving purchases. This creates fresh opportunities for brands, retailers, and foodservice operators to predict consumer needs and drive excitement and trust," based on comprehensive research conducted with the company's 40,000-member shopper community.

The predictions include:

• Shoppers turning to...

BBRSDA Announces Election Result Winners Morgan, Guffey, and Coupchiak

Yesterday, the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) announced official results of the 2025 Board of Directors Election for three new directors: Doug Morgan was re-elected to his Alaska seat, Sean Guffey for the Outside seat, and Casey Coupchiak, a Yup’ik fisher from Togiak and a third-generation Bristol Bay permit holder, won the Open Seat. Coupchiak’s family legacy of fishing in Bristol Bay stretches back millennia. For 16 years, she has commercial fished her family's drift permit.

Doug Morgan held the office of Secretary-Treasurer most recently...

Hokkaido Fall Chum Catch Unprecedentedly Low at Under 15,000 Tons, Ikura Prices Double

This year's Hokkaido fall chum salmon fishery came to an end at the end of November. According to the Hokkaido Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations' Daily Report, the cumulative catch for this fishing season was 14,465 tons, down 67% from the previous season. While this is a preliminary figure, it ended with the poorest catch on record.

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, Hokkaido fall chum fishery peaked at 206,000 tons in 2003, and remained at around 150,000 tons in...

Snow Crab Collapse Linked to Energetic Limits Amid Marine Heatwave, NOAA Study Finds

NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), highlighted a recent study focused on the massive collapse of the snow crab population in the eastern Bering Sea. Led by NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center biologist Erin Fedewa, the research sought to understand the causes of the 2018-2019 mortality event and the species’ potential for recovery.

A key aspect of the study was measuring snow crab energy reserves during and after the marine heatwave. Using biochemical assays of lipids and proteins in muscle and...

Senate Passes Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to Combat Marine Debris and Boost Water Infrastructure

US Senators Dan Sullivan and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Representatives Buddy Carter and Suzanne Bonamici, celebrated the Senate's unanimous approval of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Marine Debris Infrastructure Programs Reauthorization Act (S. 3022).

This act will renew key EPA programs aimed at fighting ocean trash and microplastics. These programs were initially authorized by the 2020 Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which marked a significant step by Congress to tackle marine debris. Representatives Carter and Bonamici have also introduced similar legislation...

Record Prices, Record Imports, Record Shifts — 2025 Crab Trade Turns Upside Down

The holiday period remains the most active stretch of the year for global king and snow crab, and this season is no different. Alaska red king crab has entered December holiday channels, while harvesters have now shifted to the largest Bairdi (Tanner) snow crab harvest seen in more than a decade. Prices for red and golden king crab remain at record highs and have shown little elasticity throughout the year despite broader economic uncertainty.

Attention across the industry has sharpened around the US...

Trump Admin Roundtable Discussion: Bridge Payments to Farmers, Soybean Purchases, Fair Trade, EUDR

On December 8, US President Trump held a roundtable meeting with members of the US farming community, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and others at the White House to announce monetary support to farmers impacted by the US trade policy. 

The administration announced plans to provide $12 billion in tariff income-fueled support for farmers, to address the high costs of farm equipment, and to examine anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain...

Japan Kamaboko Association Seeks Support Amid Surimi Price Challenges

The Japan Kamaboko Association, an organization of kamaboko (surimi product) manufacturers, issued a press release on December 5th, calling attention to the plight of the kamaboko industry, which is being forced to adopt harsh management measures due to soaring production costs.

In an effort to improve the value and quality of surimi products:
The rapid rise in surimi product production costs has continued since last year and shows no signs of slowing. In particular, the price of surimi, a key ingredient, has been increasing since 2024...

Panel Picks Diana Evans as New Executive Director at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Yesterday, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council announced its selection of Diana Evans, former deputy Executive Director, to the top job of the group that manages an aggregate of two dozen fisheries, including the lucrative pollock fishery in the Bering Sea.

Evans is the first woman and the only the fifth Executive Director to lead the Council. Her appointment followed an executive search across the nation following the announcement from former ED Dave Witherall last September...

USTR Sets Phased Tariffs on Non-Compliant Imports from Nicaragua; Beef and Seafood Affected?

The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) will impose phased tariffs on Nicaraguan goods that do not meet the standards for the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), following a Section 301 determination that Nicaragua’s acts and policies on labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce, according to a press release...

MEATZY Launches Subscription Service for Premium Meat and Seafood Delivery

MEATZY, an innovative subscription service delivering high-quality meat directly to customers' doors, has officially launched.

Developed by industry veterans with experience in supplying proteins to over 100 luxury resorts and leading chefs, MEATZY promises an exceptional culinary experience with premium beef, chicken, pork, and seafood at consistent prices.

"Protein prices keep climbing, and families are paying more for meat that's often lower quality than they realize," said the co-founder, Jorge Arevalo. "We built MEATZY to give people access to chef-grade protein...

The Retail Rundown: A Preview of Christmas Favorites

Few protein items embody the year-end holiday spirit quite like the classic Christmas ham and the standing rib roast. These iconic centerpiece proteins often dominate holiday tables, shaping both wholesale market trends and retail advertising strategies.

This year, the wholesale beef rib market kicked off its seasonal rise in late July, climbing 32% between July 28 and Thanksgiving week. Since then, the market has shifted into typical year-end procurement mode with a generally steady undertone, and holiday buying is expected to wrap soon...

Russia Eyes 3–4% Pollock Catch Increase in Major 2026 Sea of Okhotsk Season

Russia is optimistic about the forthcoming pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk, set to begin next month.

Alexey Buglak, president of the Russian Pollock Association, said at a recent Far Eastern Scientific and Commercial Council meeting that Russian fishermen plan to increase pollock catch by 3–4%, targeting 870,000–880,000 tons during the main fishing season.

The largest fishing season in Russia—the Sea of Okhotsk pollock run—starts January 1, 2026. Season "A" will last 100 days, ending April 10...

US Seafood Industry Calls to Protect USMCA Duty-Free Trade Framework

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI)’s Director of Public Policy, Morgan Bell, delivered testimony before the US International Trade Commission this week, underscoring the essential role of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in supporting a thriving North American seafood trade.

Speaking on behalf of the entire commercial seafood value chain — from harvesters and processors to distributors and retailers — Bell highlighted the remarkable growth in seafood exports under the USMCA since its 2019 implementation. American seafood exports to Mexico have surged 65%...

Russia, India Set Ambitious Fisheries Cooperation Agenda Post-Putin Visit

Russia plans to expand cooperation with India in the fisheries sector, following agreements made during Russian President Putin's recent visit to India.

The plans include establishing joint ventures focused on maritime logistics, deep-sea fishing, and fishing port automation.

Russia is especially optimistic about increasing Indian seafood imports, with particular emphasis on shrimp supplies. According to Russia’s Agriculture Minister Oksana Luth, India remains a leading shrimp supplier to Russia and imports are expected to grow further in 2026.

“India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp...

United Kingdom: New Seafood Export Requirements Will Apply From January 2026

The UK will require seafood exporters to provide new information to generate IUU documentation through the Fish Export Service (FES) from the evening of 8 January. This change comes slightly earlier than the EU’s requirement, which takes effect on 10 January. We’ve chosen this earlier date to avoid launching changes over a weekend and to ensure we can provide the best possible support when the new rules go live.

From 17:00 on 8 January FES will be unavailable while the necessary updates are made...