US Declines to Extend USMCA, Putting $149 Billion in Agri-Food Trade on an Uncertain Path

The United States will not renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, amid Wednesday's July 1 joint review deadline. Fox Business subsequently reported that President Trump will instead pursue separate bilateral trade deals with Canada and Mexico lasting up to 10 years. Both Canada and Mexico had pressed for a full 16-year extension. They did not get it.

The outcome was widely expected. Trump has floated withdrawing from the deal entirely, and US officials gave no...

Shrimp Giant Thai Union Faces $295M Lawsuit Over Red Lobster's Collapse

Creditors of Red Lobster are suing former owner Thai Union Group, alleging the Bangkok-based seafood giant used the restaurant chain as a captive distribution arm for its own shrimp business, ultimately helping drive it into bankruptcy.

The complaint, filed in Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit Court on behalf of creditors owed approximately $295 million, alleges that Thai Union — which held a controlling stake in the chain while simultaneously serving as its primary shrimp supplier — orchestrated a deliberate scheme to “squeeze every drop of value” from the company...

Bristol Bay Harvest Now at 7 Million Sockeye of 32.2M Forecast, Few Bright Spots in Season So Far

Bristol Bay’s fleet has started reeling salmon aboard in some districts in Bristol Bay, but YOY comparisons are still significantly below last year at this time.  

The latest harvest numbers from each of the Bay’s five river districts are: 

- Nushagak: 2.8 million cumulative catch of sockeye as of the beginning of this week. In addition, 989,000 Chinook were landed in the district. ADF&G’s forecasted harvest for this three-river district is 13.9 million sockeye...

Norwegian Seafood Takes the Spotlight as National Team Competes in the US

The news that the Norwegian national football team brought 500 kilos of seafood from Norway to the largest international soccer championship game in the US has travelled far beyond the pitch, quickly turning into a global talking point.

What began as a detail about the team’s diet has gone viral, with the story generating more than 120 news articles so far, according to a preliminary overview from media monitoring service Meltwater. International outlets including The New York Times, CNN, The Korea Times and...

EU Restores Zero-Duty Access for US Lobster, Expands Coverage to Processed Products

The European Union's Council of Ministers formally adopted two regulations on June 25 implementing the bloc's tariff commitments under the EU-US joint trade framework, restoring duty-free access for American lobster exports and opening new preferential market access for a range of US seafood products.

The most immediate development for the seafood industry is the reinstatement of the EU's zero-duty regime on US lobster imports, which had lapsed on July 31, 2025, when an earlier agreement — first struck between the US and EU in 2020...

Two Buyers Seek Court Sign-Off on $2.25M Dungeness Crab Price-Fixing Settlements

Two seafood buyers named in a West Coast Dungeness crab price-fixing class action have filed separate motions to formalize exits from the litigation, with a combined $2.25 million in settlements and a July 31 hearing date set before US Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse in San Francisco.

Caito Fisheries, Inc. and its owners filed papers on June 24 seeking court recognition of a $1.25 million deal. Pacific Dream Seafoods, Inc. of Anacortes, Washington, followed the next day with a parallel motion covering...

US Fish and Wildlife Service Expands Shellfish Definition to Include Squid, Octopus and Cuttlefish

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule updating the regulatory definition of "shellfish" to include cephalopods — squid, octopus, and cuttlefish — bringing federal regulations in line with modern scientific understanding and longstanding commercial practice.

Under 50 CFR Part 10, the FWS regulates the import and export of wildlife and wildlife products, with certain exemptions for shellfish. The revision extends that exemption to cephalopods, which were previously excluded despite being treated as conventional seafood products across commercial markets...

The Retail Rundown: Holiday Heat Wave Tests Cookout Plans While Retailers Push Summer Favorites

The Independence Day holiday weekend has arrived, and with the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday in 2026, consumers are expected to celebrate with cookouts and gatherings throughout the extended weekend.

However, grilling plans across much of the Central and Eastern portions of the nation may be challenged by forecasts calling for extreme heat. Many consumers will be watching the forecast to determine whether conditions will cooperate for fireworks displays and outdoor celebrations. 

This week's grocery advertisements continue to spotlight popular summer and meal-time...

BAP, Great British Chefs Team Up to Promote Responsible Aquaculture

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), a third-party certification program developed by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), has partnered with Great British Chefs in a new campaign launched June 15 aimed at raising awareness and understanding of the BAP label.

The campaign features recipes from five BAP-certified producers: Hiddenfjord; I.D.I. Corp; Kilic Seafood; The Kingfish Company and Regal Springs Tilapia, alongside renowned Chef Jude Kereama, owner of Kota and its sister restaurant Kota Kai in the fishing village of Porthleven, Cornwall in the...

ANALYSIS: Scottish Atlantic Salmon Exports Decline Despite Record Health in 2026

The production of farmed Atlantic salmon in Scotland is showing positive momentum, with Salmon Scotland reporting that the survival rate reached a record high of 99.1% in March 2026. However, the current favorable health conditions have not yet been reflected in 2026 export volumes. Total exports in 2025 for fresh salmon, including whole fish and fillets, reached 115,914 MT, a record according to national customs, representing a 9.0% increase year over year (YOY)...

Red Lobster Brings Back Crabfest With Expanded Customization and New Crab Boil Options

Red Lobster is bringing back its signature summer promotion with a more customizable approach as Crabfest returns to menus beginning June 29. This year’s limited-time lineup gives guests more control over crab type, flavor, and spice level, building on the popularity of last summer’s Seafood Boils and expanding the chain’s hands-on seafood offerings.

At the center of the promotion is Crab Your Way, a long-standing Crabfest favorite that now offers a choice of Snow or Bairdi crab paired with on...

Global Seafood Alliance Highlights Certification Growth, Consumer Trust in 2025 Annual Report

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting growth across its certification programs, expanding industry engagement and continued investment in education, marketing and responsible seafood initiatives.

The report details progress across the organization's standards, marketing efforts and global impact while outlining key initiatives completed throughout the year.

According to the report, GSA increased certifications by 3% year over year, reaching 4,308 certified producers across 45 countries. Certified producers also implemented 7,808 operational improvements in 2025 as...

Canada Reopens Northern Shrimp Fishery Off Newfoundland for First Time in Over a Decade

The commercial Northern shrimp fishery will open off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time in over a decade, Canada's Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson announced on June 22.

Thompson confirmed the reopening of Shrimp Fishing Area (SFA) 7, the domestic portion of NAFO Division 3L off eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the establishment of a Total Allowable Catch of 1,367 tonnes for the 2026-2027 season.

The fishery was shut following a 2015 NAFO moratorium...

ANALYSIS: Vietnam Gains Share in Chinese Lobster Imports Amid Shifting Tariff Dynamics

According to Chinese customs data, lobster imports in May were effectively unchanged year‑on‑year at 5,652 MT (vs 5,610 MT last year) and remained above the average levels recorded over the past five years. Vietnam was the largest supplier by volume in May with 2,239 MT (40% share), followed by Canada at 1,996 MT (35%). Vietnamese supply is largely farm‑raised, originates in coastal waters, and is substantially cheaper than Canadian product, which helps explain the steady rise in Vietnamese shipments to China, despite differences in quality...

Commerce Continues Antidumping Order on Vietnamese Pangasius Following Fourth Sunset Review

The US Department of Commerce has formally continued the antidumping duty order on certain frozen fish fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, following a fourth five-year sunset review in which both Commerce and the US International Trade Commission determined that revoking the order would likely lead to a recurrence of dumping and material injury to the US catfish industry.

The notice, signed by Scot Fullerton, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations, was filed with the Federal Register on June 26...

Oral Arguments Heard on EPA's Veto of Pebble Mine, Decision Expected in 'Near Future'

The copper, gold and molybdenum mine known as Pebble and led by Canadian-owned Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., was in court last week arguing over whether a 2023 decision by the Environmental Protection Agency “vetoing” the project was right or wrong. The argument was before US District Court Judge Sharon Gleason in her Anchorage courtroom. 

Pebble Mine would be located in the watershed above Bristol Bay, the world’s largest run of sockeye salmon and home to five large river systems. The lawsuit was brought...

IMR: Northeast Arctic Cod Advice Up 16% for 2027, But Recruitment Outlook Remains Weak

Norway's Institute of Marine Research (IMR) and the Norwegian-Russian scientific working group for Barents Sea fish stocks have released quota advice for 2027, recommending a modest increase for Northeast Arctic cod while flagging continued concerns about long-term recruitment.

The joint Norwegian-Russian working group (JRN-AFWG) advises that Northeast Arctic cod catches should not exceed 312,667 tonnes in 2027, a figure 16% above the 2026 advice and 10% above the 2026 quota. The increase is attributed to the 2021 year class entering the fishable...

New Fishery Management Council Seats Announced Amid Criticism of the Process in Alaska

Last Friday, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced 22 new and returning members to the nation's eight regional fishery management councils.

Nominations to those seats come from the governors of the states or territories represented and tribal governments in the region. A variety of groups are represented — commercial and recreational sectors, academia, and government agencies.

Each year, the Secretary appoints approximately one-third of the total 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. The Secretary usually honors the priority given by governors...

New Survey Highlights Growing Appetite for Seafood Among US Consumers

Americans are increasingly embracing seafood, with a new survey revealing strong demand driven by its health benefits, freshness and taste.

The research found that Alaska remains the strongest association with high-quality seafood among US consumers. When asked where they associate premium seafood, 32% of respondents ranked Alaska first, followed by the southern US at 17% and the West Coast at 12%.

The findings highlight shifting consumer preferences and reinforce the opportunity to position wild Alaska seafood as a premium yet accessible choice for everyday...

Century Pacific Resumes Tuna and Coconut Operations After Philippines Earthquake

Century Pacific Food has begun restoring partial operations at its tuna and coconut manufacturing facilities in General Santos City, Philippines, following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that forced a temporary shutdown of both plants.

The company said all employees and personnel were confirmed safe and that evacuation protocols were successfully carried out. Structural safety assessments cleared the way for a partial restart roughly a week after the quake, with full operations expected to return over the following one to two weeks as repairs are completed...

Expana Publication Schedule for the Fourth of July Holiday Period

Expana will be observing the Fourth of July holiday on Friday, July 3, across its Americas offices, which will impact the publication dates of several Expana Benchmark Prices and news.

The European and APAC offices’ publication schedules will be unaffected by this holiday.

The Fourth of July holiday period will affect the following...

Cooke to Take Over Mowi's Atlantic Canada Salmon Farms in CAD 225 Million Deal

Mowi has agreed to sell its Atlantic Canada salmon farming operations to Cooke Inc. for CAD 225 million ($158 million) on a debt-free basis, the companies announced Tuesday, as the Norwegian salmon giant moves to exit a region that has weighed heavily on its financial performance.

The Share Purchase Agreement covers Mowi's operations across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, including freshwater hatchery facilities, sea farming sites, and two processing plants. Standing biomass at the time of the deal was approximately...

Silver Bay Seafoods Wins $11.2 Million USDA Canned Salmon Contract; Frozen Fillet Lines Go Unawarded

Silver Bay Seafoods has been awarded an $11.2 million contract to supply canned pink salmon to the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) domestic food distribution programs, according to a purchase award document released June 18 by the Agricultural Marketing Service.

The Sitka, Alaska-based company will supply 118,560 cases of 24 14.75-oz cans of pink salmon under two product specifications. The larger lot, 94,240 cases, carried prices ranging from $85.95 to $107.20 per case, while a secondary Kosher-designated...

Lineage Prepares Cleanup After Week-Long Fire Contained at LA Cold Storage Site

Firefighters have brought a major blaze under control at a Los Angeles cold storage warehouse, after flames burned for nearly a week at a facility central to the region’s frozen food supply chain.

The fire began June 17 at Lineage’s Big Bear facility in the Boyle Heights area of central Los Angeles. The site stores and distributes frozen seafood, pork, beef and poultry destined for West Coast grocery stores and restaurants, according to Lineage and local reports.

Lineage said it is ready...

Nordic Halibut Buys Pure Norwegian Seafood from Måsøval

Nordic Halibut has agreed to acquire 100% of Pure Norwegian Seafood (PNS) from salmon farmer Måsøval, securing full ownership of the Averøy processing facility it has relied on since 2025 and completing the final link in its vertically integrated supply chain.

The deal, first announced June 28, values PNS at approximately NOK 60 million (around $6 million), with the purchase price to be settled in cash at completion, expected on or around June 30. Nordic Halibut said it plans to finance the acquisition through a new bank loan...

Russian Fish Exports to China Surge 50% in Value Through May

Russian fish exports to China jumped sharply in the first five months of 2026, driven by growing Chinese market demand and an increase in Russian catch volumes across key species.

According to data from the Russian Fish Union, citing statistics from China's General Administration of Customs, Russia's fish export revenue to China reached $2.06 billion from January through May — up 1.5 times compared to the same period last year. In volume terms, exports rose 16% to 672,000 tons...

Trident Seafoods Sweeps USDA Alaska Pollock Award Worth $6.4 Million

Trident Seafoods has won the full Alaska pollock portion of a USDA commodity purchase, taking home nearly 1.95 million pounds of pollock products valued at $6.44 million, according to a purchase award document released June 24 by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

The Seattle-based company, operating out of its Anacortes, Washington plant, was awarded contracts for frozen pollock fillets (380,000 lbs), frozen pollock sticks (342,000 lbs), breaded frozen pollock sticks (1,064,000 lbs), and bulk frozen pollock (158,400 lbs)...

Cassidy to Introduce Bill Targeting Shrimp, Crawfish and Catfish Import Surges

US Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) plans to introduce the Home Market Restoration Act of 2026, legislation that would establish tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on a range of import-sensitive food and agricultural products, including shrimp, crawfish, and catfish, in an effort to curb what he calls unfair foreign competition against American producers.

The bill would set country-by-country quotas for shrimp and crawfish, and new quota structures for catfish, rice, honey, lamb, goat meat, live cattle, and beef. Imports above the quota thresholds would face higher duty...

Japan's May Fishery Product Exports Fell 2% in Volume, Value Surged 41%

Trade data released by the Ministry of Finance on June 26 show Japan’s seafood exports in May totaled 42,716 tons, down 2% year-on-year (YOY), while export value rose 41% to 33.582 billion yen  ($207.8 million). The divergence between slightly lower volume and much higher value suggests higher prices and a favorable product mix drove the gain in dollar terms.

Scallops remained a major contributor: exports totaled 3,845 tons, down 7%, but value increased 13% to 5.779 billion...

Global Seafood Alliance Releases Program for Responsible Seafood Summit 2026 in Bangkok

The Global Seafood Alliance has released the preliminary program for the 2026 Responsible Seafood Summit, scheduled for September 21-24 at the Shangri-La Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand.

Co-hosted by the Center for Responsible Seafood, the annual event draws industry leaders across supply chain segments to address sustainability, trade, and production challenges. This year's Summit is expected to draw significant representation from the marketplace, with retail and foodservice companies including Albertsons, Walmart, Red Lobster, Waitrose, Captain D's, and Mark Foods confirmed to attend...