GSMC 2026: Seafood at Retail Defined by Subdued Consumer Sentiment, Channel Shifts and Social Buzz

Anne‑Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, opened the Global Seafood Market Conference 2026 with a data‑driven look at retail seafood. Her core message: 2025 was defined by a subdued consumer environment and unpredictable price movements, making performance harder to forecast even as seafood posted modest dollar growth.

Shopper comments captured in the presentation emphasized “astronomical” prices and affordability fatigue — “It’s tough out there,” consumers were quoted as saying in video messages during Roerink's discussion. Retail inflation remained in the...

GSMC 2026: Shellfish at the Forefront as Tariffs, MMPA and Trade Shifts Reorder Markets

Shellfish suppliers and buyers at GSMC 2026 heard a consistent message from the members of the shellfish panel that was hosted by Annie Tselikis and Expana’s own Janice Schreiber: 2025 was a roller‑coaster year, and 2026 will be about managing volatility, from tariffs and regulatory holds to changing trade flows and pockets of outsized consumer demand. Panelists walked the room through species‑by‑species dynamics, urging versatility on menuing and merchandising as supply and prices keep swinging.

Here's a look at the main takeaways...

GSMC 2026: Statecraft, Tariffs and a K‑Shaped Economy Set the Macro Stage for 2026

Christian Lawrence, head of cross-asset macro strategy at Rabobank, said 2026 will be shaped by intersecting “regimes” across geopolitics, the economy and markets, with inflation staying close to 3%, growth near trend, cautious Fed easing, and continued use of tariffs and industrial policy as strategic tools. “We are going through some fundamental regime shifts,” Lawrence told GSMC 2026 attendees, citing statecraft, a K‑shaped economy, and “volatility suppression” in markets as the key frames for the year ahead...

ANALYSIS: Retail Prices at Multi‑Year Highs Mark Potential Headwind for Shrimp Demand in 2026

Beyond our proprietary demand index, this week’s focus shifts to updated retail pricing using Circana data available on the Expana platform. Non‑discounted consumer prices have reached their highest levels since at least 2020 and, according to our broader retail feature database, are likely at levels not seen since the EMS period of 2013–2014...

ANALYSIS: EU-UK Tuna Trade Report; Supply Sources, Market Share, and Price Development 

The import of frozen skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), and processed tuna to Europe (European Union and United Kingdom) up to November 2025 continues to show rising demand, with imports increasing by 3.1% year-to-date (YTD). Ecuador remains the primary source of tuna, holding a 33.4% market share and accounting for growth of 14.2% YTD. In contrast, Seychelles accounted for 8.0% of the market but supply from Seychelles decreased by 6.6% YTD...

Lobsterfest Makes Waves with Its Limited-Time Return to Red Lobster

Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster for a limited time, bringing with it a beloved tradition that dates back to 1984. What began as a Valentine’s Day celebration has since grown into an annual event for seafood lovers everywhere.

"Lobsterfest is the event our guests eagerly anticipate each year," said Damola Adamolekun, CEO of Red Lobster. "It’s our annual celebration that showcases iconic fan-favorite dishes alongside new lobster creations—all on a single menu. Lobsterfest embodies the essence of Red Lobster...

Cousins Maine Lobster Returns to Charlotte, NC with Grand Opening of New Food Truck

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest food truck in the Charlotte, North Carolina market. This launch marks Cousins Maine Lobster's fourth truck in the state of North Carolina and a highly anticipated return to the Charlotte area, an enthusiastic market with a loyal fan base eager for authentic Maine lobster to be back on the streets.

The Charlotte food truck is led by long-time Cousins...

Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Urgent Recall of Select Tuna Products Due to Distribution Error

Tri-Union Seafoods has announced a critical recall of certain tuna products after a third-party distributor inadvertently released quarantined items associated with a previous February 2025 recall.

Expana reported that the initial recall was prompted by manufacturing defects in the "easy open" pull tab can lids, which posed risks of product leakage and potential contamination with clostridium botulinum, a severe form of food poisoning that can be fatal.

The current recall was triggered once Tri-Union Seafoods discovered the unauthorized distribution...

Russia Plans to Turn South Korea into One of its Major Destinations for Seafood Supplies

Russia plans to turn South Korea into one of major trade destinations for the supplies of its fish and seafood in years to come.

That will be achieved by the increase of supplies in both volume and value terms.

In recent years, imports of Russian fish to the South Korean market have already exceeded some historic highs, while the growth is currently ongoing. This is also confirmed by some latest official statistics of the Korean Statistical Service, according...

US CBP Tightens Focus on Illegal Transshipping

US Customs and Border Protection issued a CTPAT alert on December 18, 2025, warning of a significant increase in illegal transshipping, the practice of routing and relabeling goods through third countries to evade duties, tariffs, sanctions, or quota controls. While the alert highlights industries such as steel, textiles, and electronics, seafood importers and exporters should take note as well.

CBP emphasized that illegal transshipping is not a benign logistics practice but a deliberate evasion tactic. Companies involved risk severe penalties, including seizures, fines, loss of import privileges, and criminal charges. For seafood businesses...

ANALYSIS: Russian and US Pollock Fillet Exports to Europe Surge in 2025 as China’s Share Drops

Imports of frozen pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) fillets into Europe (European Union and United Kingdom) increased by 23.7% year-to-date (YTD) to October 2025, reaching 240,912 metric tonnes (mt), according to Global Trade Tracker. Russia continues to be the largest supplier to Europe, with a 43.4% market share, followed by the United States (36.0%) and China (20.5%). Exports of pollock fillets to Europe remain active, with Russian and US volumes increasing by 49.0% and 28.9%, respectively, compared with the same period...

US Senators Murphy, Blumenthal, Warren Introduce SHIFT Act to Address Climate-Driven Fishery Changes

US Senators Chris Murphy, Richard Blumenthal, and Elizabeth Warren have introduced the Supporting Healthy Interstate Fisheries in Transition (SHIFT) Act to aid commercial fishermen facing challenges from shifting fish populations driven by climate change.

The Act requires the US Department of Commerce to consider geographic shifts in fish populations when updating federal management plans and quota allocations. Current restrictions on Atlantic fish species are outdated, forcing fishermen to travel farther or discard valuable catches. The SHIFT Act aims to modernize quotas to address...

Senator Collins Secures FY 2026 Funding for Maine's Lobster Industry

US Senator Susan Collins successfully secured funding and support for Maine's lobster industry in the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill. This bill, approved by both the Senate and the House, awaits the President's signature.

Key details include:

North Atlantic Right Whale: $30 million allocated to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Right Whale-related research and monitoring. Additionally, language in the bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate with Canada on developing risk reduction measures...

Canada and China Reach Deal to Remove Tariffs on Lobster, Snow Crab by March 1, 2026

Canada and China have reached an initial trade agreement that will eliminate tariffs on Canadian lobster, snow crab, and select agri-food products. The agreement, announced January 16, sets a target of March 1 for China to remove retaliatory duties, reinstating market access after a steep 25% tariff hindered Canadian seafood exports.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the deal would remove trade barriers and “unlock billions of dollars in business for Canadian farmers, fish harvesters, and workers across agri-food sectors...

Gulf Senators Demand Stronger NOAA Action to Stop Illegal Red Snapper Fishing

A group of 10 US senators from Gulf states urged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to step up enforcement against illegal red snapper fishing by Mexican vessels in US waters.

“We would appreciate NOAA Fisheries’ action in more aggressively applying its existing authorities to ensure that illegally harvested red snapper is not sold in the United States,” the senators wrote to Neil Jacobs, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.

The letter noted successful Coast Guard interdictions and seizures but said Mexican...

SeaPak Rolls Out Trio of New Frozen Seafood Items Featuring Shrimp, Flounder and Scallops

SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood, a major frozen retail seafood brand, unveiled a trio of new products to kick off 2026.

The company debuted Chili Lime Shrimp, Breaded Flounder Tenders and Breaded Scallops, all expected to hit the shelves at select retailers, including Food Lion, Weis Markets, SpartanNash and BJ's Wholesale Club this month.

SeaPak said the new products meet the demands of shoppers seeking globally inspired tastes, greater variety, and high-quality seafood that is simple and quick to prepare at home...

Shadow Crab Market Persists in Russia Despite Crackdown and Legal Reforms

A recent case in the Murmansk region saw local police disrupt an organized group involved in the illegal sale of Kamchatka crabs. According to Irina Volk, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, up to 77 live crabs weighing approximately 300 kg were illegally caught in coastal waters of the Barents Sea and intended for unlawful delivery and sale in other parts of Russia.

This incident is one of many involving illegal catches of Kamchatka and other crabs investigated by Russian law enforcement. While past annual volumes of...

Leadership Updates Announced at Boston Sword & Tuna

Fortune International, the parent company of Boston Sword & Tuna (BST), has announced recent changes to its leadership team.

Larry Dore, a respected industry figure and valued partner at BST since 2012, will step back from daily operational responsibilities as part of a long-term strategic succession plan established in 2023 at the time of the acquisition. Dore will remain actively involved in procurement and sales—areas he is most passionate about.

"Larry’s leadership and dedication have been invaluable to Boston Sword & Tuna, and we are grateful that he...

Grubhub Parent Wonder Acquires Restaurant Rewards App Claim

Grubhub's parent company, Wonder, has announced the acquisition of Claim, a restaurant rewards app that offers exclusive cash-back rewards for dine-in or pick-up orders at local restaurants.

This acquisition promises significant benefits for both restaurants and diners within Grubhub's network. Restaurants can leverage Claim's powerful guest acquisition and retention tools, while diners can enjoy more savings and get paid to eat out.

Claim simplifies the dining experience by automatically recognizing qualifying transactions at the point of payment, without any need for codes or scanning...

ANALYSIS: Live Lobster Market Firms Amid Supply Shortage and Looming Canada-China Tariff Deal

The live lobster market has shown firmer pricing in early January, supported by tightening supply and steady export activity. Adverse weather across Maine and Canada has limited fishing opportunities, while seasonally light effort has further constrained landings. According to NOAA, Maine landings through December are approximately 12 percent below 2024 levels, underscoring a tighter-than-normal supply backdrop. Adding to market complexity are ongoing quality concerns, reported not only in stored Canadian inventory but also in newly landed product...

ANALYSIS: Bangladesh Shrimp Sector Delivers Double-Digit Export Growth

For the second consecutive year, Bangladesh has recorded double-digit growth in shrimp export values in November. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, shrimp exports reached USD 28.3 million in November, compared with USD 25.6 million one year earlier and USD 22.7 million two years ago. This represents a 24.5% increase over two years for this specific month, which traditionally marks one of the peak periods for Bangladeshi shrimp export activity...

Maruha Nichiro Set for Umios Rebrand, Rolls Out 45 Product Launches for Spring 2026

Maruha Nichiro Corporation, which will change its name to Umios Corporation on March 1, 2026, is launching a broad Spring 2026 product slate designed to target retail convenience trends, foodservice labor constraints and growing demand for sustainable protein and functional ingredients.

The company told trade press it will introduce 45 new and renewed SKUs across six categories — household frozen, canned seafood, surimi (fish-sausage) items, desserts, freeze-dried convenience and commercial frozen lines — as it repositions itself “as a solutions company that makes people...

ANALYSIS: EU–UK Shrimp Imports Maintain Upward Trend Amid Shifting Supply Dynamics

The EU–UK region continues to record positive growth in shrimp imports in 2025, although the latest trade data show a narrowing gap compared with 2024. Eurostat has released November figures showing a 7.7% year-on-year increase in import volumes to 68,687 metric tons, while import values rose by 16.2% to USD 526.5 million.

On a month-on-month basis, November volumes declined by 5.1% compared with October, a slowdown that was largely...

Nissui to Expand South American Salmon Production to Over 80,000t as Pesquera Yadran Deal Closes

Japanese seafood giant Nissui said it will expand its South American salmon aquaculture business to over 80,000 tons per year by the end of the decade, roughly 2.5 times higher than its current production level.

The bold goal came alongside the company’s announcement that it has completed its acquisition of Chilean salmon farming company Pesquera Yadran (PY), first announced in December of last year, as Expana reported.

The increased Chilean salmon goal aligns with the company’s long-term “GOOD FOODS 2030” vision...

Japan: November Surimi Product Output up 4.5%, January-November up 10.7%

According to a Minato Shimbun report, the Food Supply and Demand Research Center released a preliminary estimate of surimi products production for November 2025, up 4.5% from the same month last year to 35,596 tons. Fried product increased 8% to 14,849 tons.

Fried product has now seen its 11th consecutive month of growth in 2025. Chikuwa grilled tube increased 10.6% to 4,673 tons, and ita kamaboko, steamed surimi on a wooden board, increased 7% to 4,135 tons, maintaining production increases for both items for 11 consecutive...

Russia Eyes Further Live Crab Export Growth to China in 2026

Russia plans to further increase crab exports to China in 2026, with particular focus on live crab supplies, which remain in strong demand among Chinese consumers.

Last year, Russia exported up to 38,500 tons of live crab to China, marking a 10% increase over 2024 and a 20% rise compared to 2023. In value terms, these exports amounted to approximately US$1.1 billion.

These figures are expected to grow further in 2026, as Russian fishermen place high hopes on continued strong demand from China...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Atlantic Farmed Salmon Export Growth and Price Trends, 2025–2026

The Norwegian Atlantic farmed salmon industry exported 1,101,187 metric tonnes (mt) in 2025, an increase of 13.8% year-on-year (y-o-y), according to Statistics Norway. The higher supply in 2025 likely contributed to weak market sentiment in the first part of the year...

Canadian Farmed Salmon Sector Signals Alarm Over BC Ban Amid Food Security Concerns

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance’s latest report warns that the 2024 ban on west coast open-net pen salmon farming by the Trudeau government threatens Canada’s food security and jobs, and undermines the “Buy Canadian” push amid tariff uncertainty in the US.

“Canada’s aquaculture production is a national economic treasure, but it has been seriously weakened by irresponsible government policies,” said Timothy Kennedy, CAIA President & CEO. “Once a world leader in seafood, Canada now underperforms against global competitors, jeopardizing Canada’s independence and food security at...

SNP Names Gormley, Bedi to Head Seafood Task Force Marketing Committee for National Campaign

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) announced  Daryl Gormley, CEO of Aquamar, and Vnay Bedi, Senior Vice President at Cox’s Seafood, as co-chairs of the National Seafood Council Task Force (NSCTF) Marketing Committee.

SNP explained that Gormley and Bedi bring unique perspectives that reflect the full scope of the seafood industry. SNP said its leadership will help ensure the NSCTF is formed around insights from throughout the supply chain and allow it to be responsive to the needs of consumers, retailers, and foodservice partners...