ANALYSIS: Norwegian Red King Crab Slides From Record Territory as US Retreat Deepens

For most of the first half of 2026, Norwegian red king crab appears to have traded near record territory in the US market. That run now seems to have ended. Across every size grade Expana tracks, ex-warehouse prices have reportedly been sliding since late summer, with the pace of decline apparently accelerating through October. Expana's market commentary has repeatedly described it as a "broad-based retreat" — or, more precisely, "a broader, measured retreat rather than a sharp correction...

FDA Finds Nearly Half of Imported Frozen Seafood Samples Short-Weighted

Nearly half of the imported frozen seafood the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested in 2025 was short on declared weight. In a sampling assignment, the agency found 12 of 26 samples (46%) violative, with short weights ranging from 1.42% to 32.75%. The agency collected packaged samples at ports of entry from May to September 2025 and tested them for net weight without the ice glaze.

Ice glaze is a thin protective layer of ice applied to frozen seafood after processing, and the FDA says that including...

Norwegian Salmon Farm Profits Fall 46% in 2025

Norway's salmon farms earned a combined pre-tax profit of NOK 7.7 billion ($829 million) in 2025, down NOK 6.6 billion, or 46%, from NOK 14.3 billion in 2024, according to the Directorate of Fisheries (Fiskeridirektoratet). The directorate's profitability survey covers 87% of smolt permits and 87.6% of salmon and rainbow trout food-fish permits.

The squeeze came from prices. The average salmon sale price fell 10.2% to NOK 61.31 per kg, from NOK 68.26 in 2024...

Japan's Fisheries Agency Proposed to Slash Pacific Sardine TAC by 75% for 2027

On October 27, the Fisheries Agency met in Tokyo to discuss the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the Pacific stock of Japanese sardine. The Agency proposed reducing the TAC for the 2027 fishing season (January–December) by 75%—from 661,000 tons to 162,000 tons.

According to the Minato Shimbun, the Pacific stock of Japanese sardine is declining sharply; preliminary data show that the catch through the end of August this year was only about 80,000 tons. It remains unclear whether reducing next year's...

SNP’s Call to Action: Strengthen the Country’s Brain Health Infrastructure With Better Nutrition

A new white paper titled Brain Health Is National Infrastructure: A Call to Action for Philanthropy, Public Policy, and Investment Community, was issued earlier this week by the Seafood Nutrition Partnership. It outlines a path to advance brain health through nutrition, public policy, and strategic investment.

The report builds on findings from SNP’s 10th Annual State of the Science Symposium, held September 14 in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Nutrition science, food systems, military health...

Commission Approves Additional €212 M French State Aid for Agricultural and Aquaculture Companies

The European Commission has approved a €212 million budget increase and an extension of the eligibility period for a French State aid scheme for agricultural and aquaculture companies facing increased fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The amendment was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.

The original scheme aimed to mitigate the impact of the increase in non-road diesel fuel prices (gazole non routier...

USDA Earmarks $472.5 Million in Food Buys, Including $12 Million for Pacific Whiting and $20 Million

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to buy up to $472.5 million in American-grown and American-raised commodities for the charitable food network and other nutrition assistance programs. The purchases run through USDA's Section 32 authority, which the department describes as one of its most direct tools for supporting producers when market conditions are tight. "Through Section 32 authority, USDA can direct funding to support commodity markets during periods of imbalance...

Amazon Asks Court to Toss Seafood Greenwashing Suit

Amazon has asked a federal judge in Seattle to dismiss a class action alleging it greenwashed seafood sold on its platform. The motion, filed Oct. 26, argues that the plaintiffs do not allege that Amazon misrepresented any product's MSC certification status. "Their gripe is with MSC itself," the filing says. The case is Rogow v. Amazon.com, Inc., in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, before Judge Kymberly K. Evanson. Amazon asks the court to dismiss the complaint with prejudice, and the motion is set for January 8, 2027...

Wild Fish Conservancy Threatens New Suit Over Alaska Chinook Catches in Area M

The Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) has served notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Alaska state officials. The group says they are failing to manage fisheries that catch Chinook salmon "without federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) oversight of their impacts on threatened and endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook."

The Washington-based group has sued NMFS and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) more than once over Chinook bound for the Pacific Northwest...

Cruz Commits to Markup of Bill Extending Right Whale Pause for Maine Lobstermen

US Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) has committed to moving legislation that would extend the pause on new North Atlantic right whale fishing regulations through 2035. The committee will mark up the bill when the Senate returns in November.

Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King wrote to Cruz on September 15, asking him to advance the bill. Their letter pressed the committee to act quickly and pointed to a right whale monitoring program run by Maine's Department of Marine Resources...

Foodservice Operators Balance Menu Innovation, Value and Evolving Consumer Trends in October

October brought a mix of menu innovation, restaurant business developments and shifting consumer trends across the foodservice sector. As operators look to attract customers amid affordability pressures, chains are balancing seasonal launches and core-menu updates with value-oriented offerings. Meanwhile, industry research points to changing expectations around convenience, technology and prepared foods, with emerging trends offering insight into opportunities for foodservice and seafood markets in 2027.

Menu innovation remained a priority, with several chains introducing seasonal offerings and refreshing established favorites. Smashburger...

Russia Plans to Accelerate Trawler and Crab Catcher Construction for Domestic and Export Buyers

Russia plans to speed up construction of new fish trawlers and crab catchers in the coming years, supplying domestic fishermen and, potentially, foreign customers. Interest in Russian vessels has recently come from Asia-Pacific and African countries. Indonesia is one Asian country that has expressed interest, and a number of African states are reportedly interested in buying modern Russian fish trawlers...

Cousins Maine Lobster to Bring Food Truck Tour to Northwest Arkansas

Cousins Maine Lobster’s next food truck tour will bring fresh Maine lobster to Northwest Arkansas. The company recently announced that its Kansas City franchise team will head out on a limited-time pop-up tour, with stops scheduled in Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville, Arkansas, from Nov. 11 through Nov. 15.

The stops will take place at breweries and other popular community gathering spots.

“Our Kansas City franchise team is so excited to take the truck beyond the city and serve the communities of Northwest Arkansas...

Norcod Welcomes Anders Skaare as Head of People & Culture

Norcod has appointed Anders Skaare in the newly established position as Head of People & Culture, supporting the cod farmer's focus on organisational development in time of significant growth.

Skaare joins Norcod from a similar role at wellboat operator Frøy and brings extensive experience working with human resources and organisational development across Norwegian companies.

In the new role, Skaare will be responsible for continued development of a strong organisation and structure at Norcod, including supporting recruitment, internal communications and employee development.

"We are excited to welcome Anders...

US Shrimpers Petition ITC to Block Indian Shrimp Imports Over Forced Labor

The US shrimp industry, backed by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, has filed a trade action with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking to end imports of Indian shrimp produced "through the reprehensible use of forced labor."

The Section 337 complaint asks the ITC to determine whether forced labor in the supply chains of seafood producer Nekkanti Sea Foods is an unfair trade practice that harms domestic shrimp producers...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

From climate risks and shipping disruptions to shifting trade policies and seasonal demand, this week’s top stories highlight the pressures reshaping global food and seafood markets. Chile’s salmon sector faces another challenging stretch, US seafood policy is taking a new direction, and tighter protein supplies are keeping prices in focus as retailers prepare for the holiday season.

Find archived recaps here. 

Seafood Industry, Production and Trade

10. Chilean Salmon Faces El Niño on Top of ISA, Tariffs and Feed Costs as Harvest Growth Slows by Ryan Doyle...

Copernicus Data Supports Aquaculture Planning as Ocean Conditions Shift

Satellite data from the European Union’s Copernicus program is helping aquaculture producers monitor changing ocean conditions, identify suitable farming locations and improve operational planning as climate change creates new challenges for the sector. The technology is highlighted in Part 3 of the EU Space Agency (EUSPA)’s 2026 EU Space Market Report series, which examines how satellite data and related applications can support fisheries and aquaculture. 

As warming seas increase the risk of harmful algal blooms and aquaculture operations move farther offshore, producers face growing challenges in...