Agricultural Coalition Urges USMCA Renewal as Trade Negotiations Begin

As trade negotiations between the US, Canada, and Mexico begin, the Agricultural Coalition for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) organized a letter to trade leaders in all three countries urging renewal and strengthening of the trade pact.

The letter, signed by nearly 160 organizations in the agri-food sector, was sent to Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the Office of the US Trade Representative, Canada-US Trade Representative Dominic LeBlanc, and Mexico's Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard.

"[USMCA] strengthens the resilience of our integrated agricultural markets...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Models Recalibrated as Market Conditions Shift

Country-level import estimates utilize low, mid, and high ranges based on standard errors from each modeling approach. Given market softness observed since April and weakness emerging in late May through June, Expana's estimates have been recalibrated using different scenario settings to better align with current conditions.

Modeling scenarios and accuracy framework

Based on customs official data and a model with greater than 96% accuracy, the seasonal export-led model has been adjusted to "high" settings for closer alignment with observed patterns. Previously, mid or low settings were utilized, but...

Senators Question Seafood Certification Programs Over Safety Failures

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) are demanding answers from major seafood certification programs about recurring safety failures among certified processors, according to a May 27 letter campaign targeting industry leaders.

The senators sent letters to the Global Seafood Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council, and Aquaculture Stewardship Council, questioning how these programs address food safety gaps in certified supply chains. The inquiry stems from mounting evidence that certified processors continue shipping unsafe products to US consumers.

"Between August and October 2025, the FDA issued eight safety alerts on imported...

Peru Fishing Restrictions, China Supply Constraints Shape Marine Ingredients Market

Peru's anchoveta season continues to progress slowly under Coastal El Niño conditions, with authorities extending fishing bans in the north-central region through June 10 due to high juvenile abundance and warm sea temperatures.

The country, which accounts for 20% of global fishmeal and fish oil production in normal years, implemented the precautionary measure on May 27 as part of ongoing efforts to manage anchovy biomass, according to IFFO Market Research Director Enrico Bachis.

Meanwhile, China's domestic marine ingredients production remains constrained following fishing bans implemented on May 1...

Sullivan Pushes Workforce Investment, Maritime Growth at Blue Economy Hearing

US Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) used a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing this week to highlight the growing importance of the US Blue Economy, calling for increased investment in workforce development, maritime infrastructure, fisheries management, and coastal industries to strengthen the nation’s economic and national security.

The hearing, titled “The Blue Economy: Advancing American Fisheries, Maritime Strength, and Coastal Economies,” brought together industry and academic experts, including three Alaska-based witnesses representing seafood, marine research, and economic development interests.

Sullivan described the Blue...

Canada Seafood Farmers Push for Aquaculture Growth in Next Agriculture Policy Framework

Canada’s seafood farmers are urging governments to make aquaculture a bigger part of Canada’s next agricultural policy framework, arguing the sector could play a much larger role in food production, rural growth and exports.

In a March 30 letter sent ahead of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial ministers’ meeting in Halifax, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance and seven provincial aquaculture groups called on federal, provincial and territorial leaders to adopt a “Grow Canada” approach that treats aquaculture as a strategic growth industry.

The industry...

SalmonChile Expands Industry Network with New Member and Stronger Agricultural Partnerships

SalmonChile is strengthening collaboration across Chile’s salmon value chain through both the addition of a major industry supplier and renewed engagement with the agricultural sector.

The trade association recently welcomed Grupo Salmovac as its newest member, adding a company with two decades of experience in aquaculture logistics, salmonid inoculation and industrial services in southern Chile. The move reinforces SalmonChile’s role as a hub for producers and suppliers supporting the country's salmon industry.

"We are very happy to welcome Grupo Salmovac to our guild. Their incorporation not only strengthens...

Louisiana All In for More Shrimp Buys as USDA Triples 2027 School Meals Budget

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Nutrition Program, in recent years budgeted at $17-25 billion, is up for a significant raise in 2027 to 81 billion, as detailed in a statement from the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

Their press release announced that in mid-May the Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously adopted House Resolution 205 to “[u]rge and request the United States Department of Agriculture to utilize the Commodity Procurement program under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment...

Gorton's Seafood Workers in Massachusetts Ratify New Three-Year Contract

Members of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union who work at Gorton's Seafood in Gloucester, Massachusetts, ratified a new three-year contract, the UFCW announced May 27.

According to the UFCW, the roughly 240 union employees make frozen fish sticks, among other products, and are the main supplier of McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwiches along the East Coast. The agreement covers other roles beyond seafood processing, including sanitation.

Gorton's of Gloucester, founded in 1849, is one of America's oldest seafood companies and a pioneer in the frozen fish...

CDFW Investigation Nets Major Penalties for Restaurant's False Seafood Sourcing Claims

An upscale restaurant, part oyster bar, part local seafood advocate, a coffee cafe during the day, and a wine bar at night, complete with their own wine subscription service, was investigated for fraud, false advertising, and fishing violations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated in a bulletin released yesterday.

The investigation led by CDFW resulted in charges of unlawfully selling seafood while advertising its products as traceable, sustainable and lawfully sourced. The investigation found repeated violations of state and federal commercial fishing laws in 2020 and 2021...

California Senate Advances Dungeness Crab, Steelhead Reforms in McGuire's Fisheries Omnibus

California State Senator Mike McGuire's comprehensive fisheries legislation, SB 1393, cleared the California Senate on May 28 with bipartisan backing, advancing key reforms for the state's commercial fishing industry.

The omnibus bill targets three priority areas: strengthening steelhead trout fishing restoration programs by increasing habitat funding, modernizing Dungeness crab fishery management regulations, and establishing clear vessel transit rules within closed crab fishing areas.

California's commercial and recreational fishing sectors support over 100,000 jobs and generate hundreds of millions in annual economic activity. The Dungeness crab fishery alone, concentrated...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Holiday Reset Brings Value Back to the Center of the Case

Grocery merchandising is settling into a post-holiday rhythm as promotional activity shifts back toward value, versatility, and the everyday traffic drivers following the Memorial Day push.

Staples such as bacon, chicken breasts, and ground beef continue to anchor store traffic, reinforcing the meat case’s role in everyday meal planning. While current merchandising remains focused on routine household needs, retailers are expected to increase seasonal promotions and feature activity as Father's Day and the Fourth of July draw closer.

In beef, chuck cuts posted the...

ANFACO-CYTMA Raises Concerns Over Canned Tuna Liberalization in EU-Mexico Trade Deal

ANFACO-CYTMA is seeking clarification from European policymakers after canned tuna was included in the scope of full tariff liberalization under the newly modernized EU-Mexico trade agreement.

The agreement, signed on May 22, would remove tariffs on canned tuna after a seven-year transition period, subject to approval by the European Parliament and ratification by EU member states. The move has drawn concern from the seafood industry association, which argues that canned tuna has traditionally been considered a sensitive product within...

NOAA Seeks Comments on Electronic Logbook Requirements for Gulf, South Atlantic Commercial Vessels

NOAA Fisheries is requesting public comment on a proposed rule requiring commercial vessels to submit fishing reports electronically rather than through paper logbooks, with the comment period running through June 25.

The rule would affect federally permitted commercial fishermen targeting Gulf Reef Fish, South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, Atlantic Dolphin and Wahoo, or Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources. Currently, these operators must complete and submit paper logbooks within seven days of each fishing trip.

Under the proposed electronic system, fishermen would use NOAA-approved software to submit...

ANALYSIS: Two Weeks of Firm Prices as Supply Loss Tightens the US Crab Meat Market

The US crab meat market has experienced a decisive shift toward firmness over the past two weeks, driven by structural supply constraints stemming from NOAA Fisheries' May 11, 2026 MMPA comparability findings. The regulatory decision eliminated two major suppliers—the Philippines and Venezuela—representing approximately 17-22% of traditional import sources, a reduction occurring...

As Whale Rules Loom, Research Shows Consumers May Pay More for Ropeless Lobster

Maine's lobster fishery supplies roughly 90% of the nation's lobster and remains one of the state's most important economic drivers.

Lobstermen harvest their catch using traps connected to surface buoys by vertical lines. Federal regulators are considering changes to that system in an effort to reduce the risk of whale entanglements through the adoption of ropeless fishing gear.

The proposal is aimed at protecting the North Atlantic right whale, one of the world's most endangered large whale species. According to the University...

Japan's April Marine Products Import Fell 6% in Volume, but Increased 3% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on May 28th, April imports of marine products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) were down 6% year-on-year to 181,057 tons. While imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased, imports of salmon, trout, and shrimp decreased. The value of imports increased 3% to 184.977 billion yen ($1.16 billion).

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased...