FDA Expands Recall of Canadian Oysters Amid Norovirus Outbreak

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its recall of certain oysters harvested in British Columbia, Canada, on December 27.

The FDA published an advisory stating that California restaurants and food retailers that recently bought Fanny Bay, Sunseeker, and Cloudy Bay oysters from growing area BC 14-8 Landfile (LF) # 0278741 on 11/27/2024 and 12/03/2024 and from growing area BC 14-8 LF # 0335309 on 12/03/2024 and 12/05/2024 should not serve or sell the products...

Maersk Advises Cargo Removal as Threat of US Port Strikes Persists

Major shipping firm Maersk has advised its customers to remove cargo from US East and Gulf Coast ports, in preparation for potential strike action by port workers in mid-January.

Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union and the employers’ representative the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on a new contract for port workers appear to have stalled, with the deadline of January 15, 2025, looming.

In a customer advisory statement released on December 30, Maersk said, “If no agreement is reached by [January 15], a coast-wide...

Sodexo to Launch 100 ‘Food Hive’ Community-Oriented Campus Convenience Stores by 2026

Sodexo, a leader in foodservice for campuses across the U.S., announces the company’s goal of opening nearly 100 “Food Hive” markets at colleges nationwide by 2026. Sodexo’s current goal of opening approximately 30 locations during the 2024 – 2025 academic year is underway. Food Hive is Sodexo’s lightning-fast and cashless payment convenience experience with a community focus, supporting local partners and minority- and women-owned businesses by featuring their products and other healthy options for students.

“We know that Gen Z prefers shopping...

Peru Closes Ports and Beaches as Big Waves Hit Coast 

According to recent reporting by Reuters, Peruvian authorities have closed 80 ports and several beaches along Peru’s northern and central coasts due to unusually high waves on December 27 and 28.

No human losses have been reported.

The tide intensity began on December 25 and is now considered to be at a “strong intensity,” according to Captain Enrique Varea, Chief of Hydrography and Navigation with the Peruvian Navy...

ODFW Seeks Public’s Help to Update its Nearshore Strategy and Other Wildlife Action Plans

Biodiversity in Oregon is in trouble – and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wants the public’s help to do something about it.

The agency has launched a six-month process to engage work with communities and the public to update its Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan, or SWAP, also known as the Oregon Conservation Strategy. One component of the Plan includes the Oregon Nearshore Strategy – roughly Oregon’s 3-mile territorial sea and areas of estuaries where species depend on oceanic saltwater. Some of the ...

Kroger Enters into $5B Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

U.S. grocery chain Kroger recently entered into Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) agreements with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Citibank, N.A. to repurchase $5 billion in shares of Kroger common stock.

The ASR agreements will be completed under the company’s $7.5 billion share repurchase authorization, which it announced on December 11. The deal will be funded by existing cash on hand.

Per the agreements, Kroger paid $5 billion to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Citibank, N.A., in exchange for an initial delivery of approximately 65.6 million shares...

Restaurants and Grocers Gear Up for 2025: A Focus on Tech, Value, and Wellness

Against the backdrop of a turbulent economic landscape, 2024 saw the food industry grappling with rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and the US presidential election's impact on key global commodity markets. For consumers, tighter budgets drove a heightened focus on value, with many turning to private-label brands, budget-friendly meal solutions, and bulk purchasing. Simultaneously, the demand for transparency, sustainability, and innovation continued to shape purchasing decisions, even as affordability took center stage. 

As we look ahead to 2025, value remains...

Russian Crab Sector Expecting Headwinds in 2025

The Russian crab sector will face severe difficulties in 2025 due to the decline of global prices and lack of export markets.

According to recent statements by Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers, in an interview with Forbes Russia magazine, crab fishing in Russia is currently facing a decline in profitability as global crab prices seriously declined in 2024.

In addition, the export duty pressured the cost of Russian crab. The overall debts of Russian crab fishermen are estimated at 600 billion rubles ($5.7 billion)...

Ace Aquatec Installs Humane Shrimp Stunning Technology in Thailand

Aquaculture technology firm Ace Aquatec recently installed a portable, high-tonnage prawn stunner at a shrimp farm in Thailand.

Ace Aquatec’s proprietary Shrimp Humane Universal Stunner (A-HSU®) was developed from an earlier prototype, which the company adapted for its client, seafood producer Marks & Spencer.

This development comes after Ace Aquatec announced its partnership with the Shrimp Welfare Project (SWP) in August of this year. As part of the company’s participation in the project, Ace Aquatec promised to provide technology needed to expand access to humane stunning solutions...

Russia Aims to Become One of the World’s Top Black Caviar Exporters Within the Next Several Years

Russia aims to become one of the world’s largest exporters of black caviar within the next several years. This will be done by increasing domestic output and expanding its overall supply geography.

In 2024, black caviar production in the Astrakhan Region—one of the centers of sturgeon fishing and farming in Russia—reached almost 25 tonnes. According to Ruslan Pashayev, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Astrakhan Region, this is 5% more than a year earlier, and there is a possibility that the...

ANALYSIS: Expectations for Anchovy Fisheries in Europe, Peru, and Argentina in 2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)reported that in 2019, 6 million tonnes of anchovy were caught globally. The primary anchovy producers are Peru and Chile, which account for approximately 74% of the world's anchovy catches, followed by Japan at 15.49% and Europe at 9.91%...

Japan’s November Seafood Exports up by 49% Y-O-Y; Scallops up 85% at 3,365 MT

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, November's fishery product exports increased 49% in volume compared to the same month last year to 33,306 MT and increased 35% in value to 30,083 million yen ($191.01 million).

According to Minato Shimbun, the increases are a rebound from the embargo on Japanese seafood products imposed by China, the leading destination for frozen scallops, in late August last year, and since September, both volume and value have been significantly higher than the same...

GSA Study Shows Chinese Consumers Prefer Seafood, Specifically BAP-Certified Products

In a recent survey conducted by Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), Chinese consumers reported that they preferred seafood over other types of protein, especially consumers who reside in coastal areas.

Utilizing a third party surveyor, GSA was able to collect consumer purchasing data on 3,079 Chinese residents, as well as gage consumer awareness of GSA’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) label. The BAP certification program has over 330 certified hatcheries, 2300+ certified farms, 150+ feed mills, and 490+ plants showcasing the BAP label.

Of those surveyed, more than...

Long John Silver’s Highlights Trio of Promos to Kickstart 2025

With 2025 almost here, Long John Silver’s is showcasing a trio of promotions to begin the new year.

While the chain is known for its seafood, it is leading off 2025 with its $6 Chicken Plank Basket. The menu option includes a pair of chicken tenders, two hushpuppies and a side.

Up next is the Wild-Caught Norway Lobster Bites, with the limited-time menu item set to “sail away” in early 2025.

Although many consumers have health...

Robin Pearl Steps Down as CEO of American Mariculture Amid Shareholder Disputes 

Robin Pearl, the co-founder and CEO of American Mariculture, announced on LinkedIn that he has resigned from his post at the helm of the firm, along with its affiliates American Penaeid and Sun Shrimp Gourmet, on December 29.

Pearl said the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida had a “extensive impact” on the organization. Pearl noted that an “influential” group of AMI shareholders took a more active role and demanded changes that Pearl disagreed with.

“While I am very disappointed with the way...

S&P Global Ranks Blumar as Best Fishery in Chile

S&P Global recently gave Chilean seafood producer Blumar a high rating of 73 points in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA)’s Food category.

This marks Blumar’s newly declared status as the best fishery in Chile and among the country’s top two salmon farms, ranking highest of the two in the CSA’s performance area. This is an impovement of 17 points from last year.

Since Blumar was first evaluated by S&P Global in 2021, its score increased a total of 31 points, or 74%. The 2024 scoring places the...

South African Albacore Tuna Fishery Lands MSC Certification

The Southern Africa Sustainable Tuna Association (SASTUNA), a group representing the South African albacore tuna pole and line fishery, has been certified to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standard.

The fishery was awarded the third-party certification after a 6-month assessment carried out by SCS Global Services. The fishery lands 3,000-5,000 tonnes of tuna per year. It mainly operates out of Cape Town and Hout Bay, with over 90% of the catch heading to international destinations like Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia...