Webinar Explores Seafood Market Outlook for H2 2026, Price Trends and Sourcing Risks

Seafood markets are entering H2 2026 under real pressure.

How will shifting trade flows, disease outbreaks, evolving consumer demand, and shipping volatility shape seafood procurement and pricing in the coming months?
In just 30 minutes on May 28, Expana's seafood experts Angel Rubio and Janice Schreiber will walk you through the latest price movements, supply dynamics and sourcing risks potentially impacting your supply chains in H2 2026.

● Shrimp: Where farmed output from Ecuador, India, Vietnam are heading, antidumping duties updates - and the impact on US and EU prices.
● Salmon: Supply vs. demand for Norwegian and Chilean Atlantic salmon, impact of sea lice...

Conservation Groups Sue to Block Seafood Imports From Eight Countries Over Marine Mammal Bycatch

Conservation groups filed suit against the National Marine Fisheries Service in the US Court of International Trade seeking to halt seafood imports from eight countries they claim fail to meet US marine mammal protection standards.

The lawsuit targets imports from Argentina, Ecuador, India, Norway, Taiwan, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and Vanuatu, alleging that their commercial fisheries kill unsustainable numbers of marine mammals as bycatch and use gear including gillnets, longlines, and trawls.

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the US must ban seafood imports from countries...

Norwegian Police Recover 18 Tons of Stolen Salmon in Hijacked Semi-Trailer

Norwegian police recovered 18 tons of stolen salmon Sunday after an observant citizen spotted the hijacked semi-trailer used to transport the fish at a Circle K gas station in Vestby, according to Nettavisen.

The salmon was stolen from the seafood company 1814Salmon in Dal early Saturday morning, with police receiving the burglary report at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Hours later, authorities received a separate report about two stolen semi-trailers taken from Skarnes the night before.

The breakthrough came when the victim of the trailer theft posted...

The Retail Rundown: Retail Focus Shifts Toward Father’s Day Grilling Demand

Cold and wet weather across several regions of the country dampened Memorial Day grilling plans, likely creating a softer-than-anticipated kickoff to the unofficial start of the summer grilling season.

Attention is now quickly turning toward the next major grilling occasions of the summer—Father’s Day and the Fourth of July holiday period. These seasonal events historically begin to influence demand patterns for grilling staples such as bellies, loins, ribs, and steaks. 

Following Memorial Day, protein promotions have shifted more heavily toward seafood, which now accounts...

Atlantic Sapphire Unveils Restructuring Plan, Sets Stage for Delisting

Atlantic Sapphire ASA has unveiled a sweeping restructuring plan designed to stabilize its finances, secure fresh liquidity, and reshape the company’s ownership after months of mounting financial pressure.

The land-based salmon farming company said it has entered into a restructuring agreement with a group of major shareholders and convertible loan holders representing about 63% of its shares and 93% of its outstanding convertible debt. The investor group includes Condire Management L.P., Nordlaks Holding AS, Nokomis Capital, Strawberry Capital AS, and Joh. Johannsson...

Federal Judge Halts Extended Recreational Red Snapper Seasons in Four States

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on May 21, halting extended recreational red snapper fishing seasons across four South Atlantic states after finding NOAA Fisheries acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in approving permits that could allow catches up to 20 times the annual recreational limit.

US District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to address public comments warning of potential overfishing and violated its own regulations by approving incomplete exempted fishing permit applications...

Norway's Seafood Industry Splits Over "Production Fish" Export Ban Reversal

Norway's seafood sector faces a deepening divide after Sjømat Norge, the Norwegian Seafood Federation, announced it would support lifting the country's longstanding ban on exporting uncorrected "production fish" to increase its market access in the European Union.

The industry group informed members of the decision in an internal email on May 15, according to Dagens Næringsliv. Production fish refers to farmed salmon with wounds, injuries, or other defects that currently must be corrected through filleting before export under regulations dating to the early 1990s...

The Foodservice Industry Highlights Consumer Trends Leadership Moves and Brand Growth

From anxious drive-thru decisions and nostalgic dining room makeovers to executive shakeups and autonomous food deliveries, the restaurant industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This week’s roundup highlights the trends, leadership moves and consumer insights shaping the future of foodservice as brands look to balance innovation, convenience and value in an increasingly competitive market. 

Explore more from Expana’s biweekly foodservice roundups here. 

Consumer Insights & Research

A Global Payments’ survey of 2,000 US QSR customers uncovers widespread “order anxiety” that’s likely costing...

Steakholder Foods To Launch Perfecta Premium Plant-Based Meat in US Later This Year

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (Nasdaq: STKH), a supplier of whole cuts of plant-based meat using 3D-printing technology, announced plans to launch Perfecta™ Premium Plant-Based Meat in the US market in the second half of 2026.  

The campaign will use the slogan “Plant-Based Meat, Perfected!” and position the products as next-generation plant-based protein options, including Marbled Steak, Filet Mignon, Salmon Patties, Chicken Breasts, and White Fish Patties. 

In a statement announcing the campaign...

Brazil Eyes Return to EU Fish Market After Decade-Long Ban

Brazil’s fishing industry is preparing for a crucial European Union audit next month that could reopen the European market to Brazilian fish exports after nearly 10 years.

The issue was the focus of the 27th Ordinary Meeting of the Sectorial Chamber of Fish Production and Industry (CSPES), held Monday at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) in Brasília.

The EU mission, scheduled for June 8–19, will include inspections of industrial fishing vessels in Rio Grande do Norte and Santa Catarina. Industry and...

Hokkaido Okhotsk Scallop Production Projects 220,000 MT, a 15% Down YOY

In the Okhotsk region of Hokkaido, full-scale scallop fishing operations began in mid-May at some fishing cooperatives in the northern area. The scallop catch plan for fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027), including fishing ground development and farmed scallops, is projected to decrease in both the northern (Soya-Esashi) and southern (Omu-Utoro) areas, falling 15% further from the previous year's figure of 220,250 tons—the first time in seven years that the catch has fallen below 300,000 tons. However, signs of improved scallop growth...

Walmart Enhances Supply Chain to Bring Customers What They Need, When They Need It

Continuing its commitment of Everyday Low Prices (EDLP) for customers, Walmart today announced a new supply chain strategy, Prepaid Consolidation. This program helps get products to shelves and customers faster by simplifying inbound supplier logistics and building a more connected, scalable, tech-enabled supply chain that improves service and lowers costs.

The program expands Walmart’s first mile capabilities for prepaid suppliers by using its national supply chain network to create a scalable way to merge shipments, creating greater transportation efficiency. Suppliers send products under a single...

ANALYSIS: Retail Shrimp Volume Down 12% Year-Over-Year as Prices Reach 12-Year Highs

Current retail shrimp market data reveal a significant shift in consumer purchasing patterns: volume is down 12% year-over-year, while prices have reached levels not seen since 2012. Dollar sales have remained relatively stable at 0.8% growth, indicating that price increases have largely offset volume declines in aggregate revenue terms.

Volume and pricing dynamics

The 12% volume decline reflects reduced shrimp imports into the US market, influenced by elevated costs throughout the supply chain. Despite the volume contraction, retail dollar performance shows minimal change...

US Targets Illegal Fishing With Visa Bans to Boost Seafood Industry

The US State Department has taken its first enforcement action under a new, tougher approach to combating illegal fishing, moving to restrict visas for dozens of individuals linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On March 20, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced that the US would impose visa restrictions on 26 foreign nationals accused of being responsible for, complicit in, or benefiting from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and related activities. The action follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order...

Channel Fish Positions Seafood as SNAP Compliance Solution

Channel Fish Processing is targeting SNAP-authorized retailers with a strategic pitch: value-added seafood can help meet the USDA's expanded "real food" requirements while driving profitability. Starting fall 2026, SNAP retailers must stock at least seven varieties across four staple categories—more than double current requirements—with snacks no longer counting toward compliance.

The processor argues seafood fits perfectly into the protein staple category while offering advantages over fresh meat: extended shelf life through freezing, reduced labor complexity, and broad SNAP eligibility for cold, frozen, or packaged products...

Putin Visit Reinforces Russia-China Fisheries Partnership Growth Plans

Russia plans a significant expansion of its fisheries trade with China as demand for Russian fish among Chinese consumers continues to grow steadily.

The expansion of joint fisheries trade was discussed during Putin's recent visit to China. Both countries believe they have significant potential to expand mutual fisheries trade. Current trade dynamics remain positive, and most analysts expect continued improvement in the second half of this year.

According to the latest trade statistics from the Russian Fish Union, fish and seafood trade between Russia and China...

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Returns to Profit, Upgrades FY26 Earnings Guidance

New Zealand King Salmon Investments swung back to profit in the first half of FY26, helped by stronger fish performance, higher sales volumes and improved operational efficiency.

The salmon producer posted net profit of $13.8 million for the six months ended March 31, reversing a $20.8 million loss reported in the prior comparable period. Revenue rose to $100.3 million from $94.5 million, while sales volumes increased to 2,799 metric tonnes from 2,624 metric tonnes.

Pro-forma EBITDA...