Hodges: Crab Inventory Is Committed. Demand Is Not.

The outlook entering fall is better than headline supply figures suggest, but the risks have changed. Much of the Canadian snow crab harvest has already been contracted or shipped, and major processors report little uncommitted inventory. This reduces the threat of widespread discounting, but it does not mean the crab has been sold through to the consumer.

Snow crab’s strongest demand period is normally during the summer, supported by crab boils, tourism, and foodservice activity. Foodservice movement has remained relatively good, particularly in the Southeast, but retail demand has been soft...

American Seafood Partners Acquires Cal Marine Fish Co., Building Coast-to-Coast Platform

American Seafood Partners (ASP) has acquired Cal Marine Fish Co., LLC, a West Coast commercial fishing, export, and vessel management company, in a move that extends the Rhode Island-based seafood platform from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The deal brings Cal Marine's fishing fleet, cold storage infrastructure, and multi-species processing capabilities into ASP's portfolio, with the California company's proximity to Pacific ports seen as a strategic complement to ASP's existing East Coast processing and distribution operations...

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods Taps Former Cox's Seafood Exec Bedi to Lead Business Development

Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods has appointed Vnay Bedi as Senior Vice President, Business Development, tasking him with leading strategy and innovation for the company's value-added seafood portfolio, according to a LinkedIn announcement from the brand. Bedi will focus on building strategic partnerships and driving new commercial opportunities across retail, foodservice, and other channels.

"I am thrilled to join Chicken of the Sea and to be part of such an iconic, trusted brand," Bedi said in a statement. "Chicken of the Sea...

ANALYSIS: Scottish Salmon Exports Down 31%, Prices Up Despite Record Survival

Production health in Scotland continues to point to a positive year for Atlantic salmon producers, with Salmon Scotland reporting that the survival rate reached a record high of 99.2% in June 2026 (Figure 1). This exceptional farming performance has not boosted salmon availability, because cumulative exports of Scottish Atlantic salmon dropped by 31.3% year to date (YTD) from January to June 2026. Even with the drop in trade volume, market share distribution continues to be similar to that observed in 2025...

BPA Reverses Decision to End Funding for Oregon’s Salmon SAFE Program, At Least for the Next Year

Last Friday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced that Bonneville Power Administration will reverse its decision to end funding for the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) Program immediately and will fund the program for one additional federal fiscal year. 

The decision followed discussions with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Administrator Travis Kavulla. 

The SAFE program raises millions of salmon each year, supporting recreational and commercial fisheries in the Lower Columbia River.  BPA’s unexpected decision in June...

ASMI Consumer Research Finds Awareness Gap Fuels New Pan-European Alaska Surimi Campaign

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has launched a new consumer research initiative aimed at reshaping how European shoppers understand surimi, laying the groundwork for a Pan-European Genuine Alaska Pollock Surimi campaign designed to strengthen the product's position across the continent.

Europe is already a significant outlet for Alaska surimi, importing approximately 40,000 metric tons valued at $87.5 million in 2024. ASMI's new push aims to build on that base by tackling outdated perceptions of the product and reinforcing its quality, versatility, affordability...

ICFA Outlines Global Fisheries Priorities Ahead of COFI 37

Ahead of the Thirty-Seventh Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 37), running September 7–11 in Rome, the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) has released its key priorities for the meeting, urging FAO members to keep science-based management at the center of an increasingly crowded international agenda.

ICFA is calling on FAO members to prioritize effective, science-based fisheries management, sustainable use of marine resources, global food security, and the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The group's submission argues that as international discussions...

ANALYSIS: India Farmgate Price Move Tracks Closely With Prior Years and the 11-Year Average

Last week's analysis flagged India whiteleg 30-count farmgate prices (exf Andhra Pradesh) moving higher, with a growing disconnect against softer US market conditions. That observation stands — but the seasonal record argues against treating the move as an isolated development.

The seasonal factor chart makes the case directly. The 2026 pattern — an early-year run-up, a pullback through the mid-year weeks, and the current push higher — tracks closely with where 2023, 2024, and 2025 were at the same point in the calendar, and...

Norway Posts Record August Seafood Export Value, Driven by Salmon Price Growth and US Rebound

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 16 billion (approximately €1.35 billion) in August, the highest August export value on record, according to statistics released Sept. 3 by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC). The figure represents an increase of NOK 1.9 billion, or 14%, compared with the same month last year.

"We are very pleased with the August figures. The high salmon price is the main driver behind the strong value growth," said NSC CEO Christian Chramer...

Louisiana Shrimp Assoc. Petitions Trump Administration for Import Relief, Targets 10,000 Signatures

The Louisiana Shrimp Association (LSA) has launched a petition urging the Trump administration to take immediate action to protect domestic shrimp producers against what the group calls an unsustainable influx of imported product, according to reporting by the Houston Chronicle.

The petition, authored by LSA's Marla Cooper, cites US shrimp imports of approximately 1.75 billion pounds in 2025, valued at more than $7 billion — a volume the group says has driven dockside prices below the cost of operations for Gulf Coast harvesters...

US House Passes PAIL Act, Creating DOJ Task Force to Prosecute Shrimp Trade Fraud

The US House of Representatives passed the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes (PAIL) Act of 2025 on September 1, clearing a significant legislative hurdle in a years-long effort by domestic shrimp producers to secure criminal enforcement against trade fraud schemes that have cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars in evaded antidumping duties.

H.R. 1869, introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) with 42 co-sponsors, would establish a dedicated task force within the Justice Department's Criminal Division to investigate...

Commerce Department Grants Fishery Disaster Status to Hoopa Valley Tribe, CA Sea Urchin Fishery

The US Department of Commerce has issued official fishery disaster determinations for the Hoopa Valley Tribe's Klamath River fall Chinook salmon fishery and California's red sea urchin fishery, making both eligible to receive federal disaster assistance for the first time.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), who has spent years pressing federal agencies to accelerate relief for California fishing communities, welcomed the determinations on September 2 as a critical step for two constituencies that have faced sustained economic losses with little federal recourse.

NOAA Prioritizes Policy Changes Resulting From EO to Restore American Seafood Competitiveness

Two months ago, Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, announced region-specific actions in support of Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. His letters to each of the eight fishery management councils gave them some of what they wanted, then encouraged each to do more, all in the name of a common theme. Soler described it as: "Fishermen just want to fish, and they are asking for our support in overcoming the barriers preventing them from doing so...

New Bill Prohibits Chinese Seafood From Being Served at Any Dining Facility in the Capitol Building

Introduced by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) last week, H.R.10176, the “No PRC Seafood in Congress Act,” will prohibit Chinese seafood from being served in any of the congressional dining facilities in the nation’s Capitol Building.  

The legislation is driven by information released in a series of congressional hearings that forced labor is widespread in the Chinese seafood supply chain. The lack of transparency there makes it impossible to ensure the seafood was ethically sourced...

Vinh Hoan Wins Seafood Excellence Asia Award for Cured Panga Croquette

Vinh Hoan Corporation took home the Best New Product award at the fourth annual Seafood Excellence Asia awards, held Wednesday during Seafood Expo Asia and Seafood Processing Asia in Singapore.

The Vietnamese seafood company was recognized for its Cured Panga Croquette, a retail product. Singapore-based Lam Kee Fisheries placed second with its Japanese Curry Cod Cube, while Hai Sia Seafood took third for Kami No Ebi.

Products were judged by seafood industry buyers on criteria including eating experience, packaging, market potential, originality...

Esther Luiten Named Executive Director of Global Shrimp Council

The Global Shrimp Council (GSC) has appointed Esther Luiten as its new executive director, as the organization looks to expand its global platform and boost consumer-facing demand for shrimp.

Luiten brings more than 20 years of experience spanning international seafood, aquaculture and sustainability. Most recently, she spent more than 12 years with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). She has also held leadership roles at IDH and the North Sea Foundation, and has been closely involved in the development of the Global Shrimp...

Louisiana Wildlife Agents Cite Three Houma Residents in Illegal Seafood Sales Scheme

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited three Houma residents on July 21 for alleged illegal seafood sales across south Louisiana, primarily in Terrebonne Parish, according to a notice issued Aug. 31 by the agency.

Agents cited Ana Reyna Beiza Lopez, 46, and Juan Rebollar Aguilar, 42, on multiple charges including the illegal sale of oysters, blue crabs, and various species of raw fish; exporting crab products without a wholesale/retail crab shipping license; violating interstate commerce regulations; selling fish without a wholesale...

Eleventh Circuit Upholds Gag Grouper Rules Challenged by Alabama Fishermen

In an appeal of a 2024 case, Russo v Raimondo, a 3-0 decision from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals supported the lower court, upholding a rule to lower gag grouper catch limits and agreeing with other jurists that a part of the Magnuson-Stevens Act is unconstitutional.  

The part that concerns courts is a rarely used veto authority given to the members of the eight regional fisheries management councils. In determining cases brought by fishermen unhappy with council decisions affecting their livelihood, detailed analyses of the process...

Murray Pushes Bill to End Trade War With Canada, Criticizes Trump As She Tours Home State of WA

“Our maritime industry and our ports power the economy in Washington state—our fish and shellfish travel far on their own, but our fishermen and our ports are the reason they’re famous worldwide,” said Senator Murray last week in Bellingham, WA, during a tour of the western part of the state.  

“And this administration’s reckless and unpredictable tariffs have been nothing short of a disaster for them—driving up costs and making it impossible for any small business to plan...

Russia Anticipates Stable Ivasi Sardine Catch for Next Five Years Before Sharp Decline

Russia expects several more years of stable ivasi (Pacific sardine) catches before volumes drop sharply, according to Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Fish Producers Association (VARPE), in comments to Russian media.

Zverev noted that Russia's ivasi catch fell nearly tenfold last year compared to 2024, dropping to just 60,000 tonnes — a decline he attributed to unexpected hydrological shifts rather than any systemic depletion of the stock.

"Water temperatures in our catch areas — the Sea of Japan and the Bering Sea...

House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Delay New Right Whale Regulations for Lobster Industry Until 2035

Maine lobstermen moved closer to a near-decade-long reprieve from new federal regulations as the House passed the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act (H.R. 9436) on Sept. 1, extending the current moratorium on new North Atlantic right whale gear rules from 2028 through 2035.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and now heads to the Senate. It passed the House Natural Resources Committee on a 22-13 bipartisan vote in July before advancing to...

Overnight Fire Destroys Young Ocean Seafood Warehouse in Kent, Washington

A two-alarm fire destroyed a Young Ocean seafood wholesaler warehouse in Kent, Washington, in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, dealing a significant blow to a Pacific Northwest seafood distribution operation.

Puget Sound Fire responded to the 20400 block of 80th Avenue South, just west of Highway 167, shortly after 1:30 a.m. When crews arrived, flames were already burning through the roof of the building, prompting a defensive posture — firefighters did not attempt an interior attack but instead deployed three aerial master streams and portable monitors...

Hilton Food Group Posts Mixed H1 Results as Seafood Unit Drags on Profit

Hilton Food Group reported a challenging first half of 2026 for its seafood operations, even as the broader business delivered volumes and revenue ahead of the prior year, according to interim results published Sept. 3.

Group revenue from continuing operations rose 15.3% to £2,289.1m (H1 2025: £1,986.1m), driven primarily by higher raw material prices across all markets. Volumes from continuing operations were up 2.1% to 258,729 tonnes. However, adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations fell 5.2% to £32.8m (H1 2025: £34.6m)...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

The latest headlines point to a food and agriculture market under pressure from several directions at once. From rising input costs and weather-driven disruptions in Europe to changing crop demand in India and continued uncertainty across global food and commodity markets, the stories highlight how interconnected forces are influencing the outlook heading into autumn. This list is in no particular order.

Find archives recaps, here. 

Pressure Builds Across European Agriculture

10. AGF Nitrogen, Europe’s No. 2 fertilizer and nitrogen products producer, said it is considering cutting ammonia output as higher...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Frozen Salmon at 52-Week Highs as Summer Correction Fails to Materialize

The Chilean frozen salmon market is firmly supported across both fillets and portions, with values currently sitting at or near 52-week highs and showing little willingness to ease. What makes this year's market particularly notable is not just where prices are, it is how they got here and what is driving the scarcity of spot supply that now defines the...

Commerce Raises Indian Shrimp Antidumping Rates in 20th Review Final Results

The US Department of Commerce has released the final results of its 20th antidumping duty administrative review of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from India, covering the period of February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025 — and every company subject to the review saw its rate climb significantly from the preliminary results published in May.

Those rates represent increases of 2.71, 2.20, and 1.68 percentage points, respectively, from the preliminary margins of 4.30%, 3.33%, and 2.36% set in May. The final rates...

Eastern Fisheries Appoints Nigel McGinn as CEO

Eastern Fisheries has appointed Nigel McGinn as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), according to a post from McGinn on LinkedIn.

He succeeds Joe Furtado, who has retired after more than three decades with the company, according to industry reports. Eastern Fisheries had been searching for a new CEO for approximately six months.

McGinn brings more than 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, with a career spanning operations, engineering and business development. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of corporate operations at Blount Fine Foods. He joined the company in 2020 as corporate operations executive before moving into the senior vice president role.

Center for Biological Diversity Wins Appeal to Uphold NMFS Rule for TEDs in Shrimp Trawls

A federal appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling upholding a 2019 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) rule requiring skimmer trawl shrimp vessels 40 feet and longer to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs), according to a press release issued by the Center for Biological Diversity.

The unanimous Aug. 28 decision by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals found that NMFS provided a rational, evidence-backed explanation for the rule's requirements, citing federal observer data and post-interaction mortality studies...

Kroger Names Mark Ibbotson EVP, Chief Store Operations Officer

The Kroger Co. is bringing in veteran retail executive Mark Ibbotson as Executive Vice President and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective Sept. 14.

Ibbotson brings decades of experience across large-format and grocery retail, including leadership roles at Walmart, Asda and Sainsbury’s. He has held positions spanning loss prevention, productivity, retail and operations, ultimately serving as chief operating officer.

Most recently, Ibbotson spent more than a decade with Walmart US, joining in 2015 as senior vice president of innovation. In that role, he was tasked with simplifying store...

California Wildlife Conservation Board Approves $44M for Tribes, Salmon, and Desert Wildlife

California's Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $43,868,000 in grants for 15 projects across 11 counties at its quarterly meeting on Aug. 27. The funded projects support Tribal land acquisition, native fish habitat restoration, public access expansion, and desert wildlife corridor protection.

The grants advance Governor Gavin Newsom's 30x30 goal of conserving 30% of California's lands and coastal waters by 2030.

Key projects with seafood and fisheries relevance include...