Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs Take Effect; Seafood Gets No Exemptions as New Trade Map Takes Hold

The Trump administration put a new set of tariffs in place on Friday, ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 US trading partners. Seafood received no product exemptions; the sector had been named a priority target when USTR launched the Section 301 forced labor investigations in February, and the final rule followed through.

The tariffs, imposed under the Trade Act of 1974 by USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the direction of President Trump, replace the temporary 10% Section 122 levies that expired...

The Winding Glass: What Alaska Has Lost

In 2016, Alaska fishermen received an average of 40 cents per pound for their catch (in 2025 dollars). In 2024, they got 27 cents, a 32% decline in real terms. Alaska's other resource industry, oil, saw its price rise 30% in real terms over the same period.

These are not just the actions of commodity markets. Seafood lost a third of its real value, a fifth of its processing plants, and most of its mid-sized owners. The losses did not fall evenly along the supply chain. Total wholesale sales fell by only...

ANALYSIS: Eastern Pacific Tuna Landings for Yellowfin and Skipjack Diverge as El Niño Emerges

The latest data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) shows cumulative yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) landings from January to May 2026 increased 12.6% YTD in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). Mexico leads yellowfin landings with a 39% share, followed by Ecuador at 22%...

Bristol Bay Sockeye Run Tops Pre-Season Forecast; Harvest Closing In

Landings in Bristol Bay are on track to exceed the pre-season harvest forecast of 32.26 million sockeye, with cumulative catches reaching 29.44 million as of July 22, close but not yet at the target.

The full sockeye return has already cleared the bar. The July 22 report showed 44.64 million sockeye returned to Bristol Bay, surpassing the pre-season inshore run forecast of 44.05 million. Cumulative bay-wide escapement stood at 15.2 million, roughly 3 million above the pre-season estimate of 11.79 million...

USDA Announces $76.5 Million Food Purchase, Including $25 Million for Atlantic Groundfish and Catfish

The US Department of Agriculture announced it will purchase up to $76.5 million in agricultural commodities from American farmers and producers for distribution to food banks and nutrition assistance programs, including $25 million earmarked for seafood

The purchases are made under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, a permanently authorized federal program that funds surplus commodity purchases for domestic food assistance programs, including school nutrition and food banks. The full commodity breakdown is as follows...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Corporate expansion, trade policy and supply chain resilience are on the menu in this week's roundup.
Our top stories examine Intersnack's entry into the US snack market through its acquisition of Utz Brands, Pampa Energía's landmark fertilizer investment, and new US tariffs that could alter global seafood trade. Rounding out the list are insights into potential Panama Canal shipping constraints, proposed EU climate policy changes and sourcing strategies from Lipari Foods.

Corporate Moves: Investments & M&A

10. Intersnack will buy Utz Brands for $2.9 billion and take the company private in a 50/50...

Robot-Assisted Ike Jime Comes to Cook Inlet as Shinkei Systems Eyes Premium Salmon Market

Shinkei Systems, the seafood robotics company that created Seremoni Grade™ premium fish, has developed new harvesting technology now in place on selected fishing vessels in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The wild sockeye salmon caught there will reach markets as Seremoni Grade, Shinkei’s distinctively higher-quality fish, this summer.

Seremoni Grade’s higher quality comes from killing the fish quickly and humanely, as traditional Japanese fishermen have done for generations. Shinkei has automated the Japanese slaughter technique...

DFO Fishery Officers Issue Violations During Surveillance Operation in Northern British Columbia

Canada's fishery officers uncovered multiple violations during a recent enforcement operation in northern British Columbia, according to an update from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) published on July 22.

The surveillance operation focused on ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations and licence conditions across both the commercial and recreational sectors.

During the operation, fishery officers inspected recreational fishing vessels, commercial Area F troll vessels and commercial Area C gillnet vessels, as well as the operations of three recreational fishing...

Middle East Market Intelligence Brief: Week Ending July 24, 2026

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a new front in the US-Iran war and threatening global energy supplies via the Bab el-Mandeb, a key oil shipping route.

The move, described as retaliation against Saudi Arabia, came as mediators proposed a 10-day ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Tensions escalated after the Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. President Donald Trump vowed to hold Iran responsible for any future Houthi attacks, threatening "major military punishment"

Two Tuna Boats Collide off Washington State, One Sinks After USCG Rescue of Crew

A commercial fishing vessel sank last Tuesday off the coast of Washington state following a collision with another vessel approximately 22 miles offshore of Grays Harbor. All three crew members aboard the stricken vessel were safely rescued.

An initial report of the collision between the Tabitha, a 62-foot commercial fishing vessel, and the Nora J, a 35-foot wooden commercial fishing vessel, reached Coast Guard watchstanders at the Sector Columbia River Command Center at 6:40 a.m...

ANALYSIS: May US Shrimp Imports Land at Low End of Model Range as June Estimates Point Higher

May official US shrimp imports came in at 152.9 million lbs., at the low end of the revised model range of 151.1–170.9M lbs. published in the June 22nd edition, and close to the original mid-estimate of 150.5M lbs. The original estimate proved the closer call; the subsequent revision pushed higher than the data ultimately supported, though the directional read was correct. May landed within the published range, which reflects the margin of error each estimate carries...

Russian Seafood Escapes EU's 21st Sanctions Package as Fish Measures Dropped in Final Deal

The European Union has finalized its 21st package of sanctions against Russia — but without the fish. A proposed ban on Russian seafood imports, touted as a historic first when the package was unveiled in June, was dropped from the final agreement after sustained resistance from member states with significant seafood processing industries.

EU countries clinched the deal on Thursday after weeks of fractious negotiations, resolving the final sticking point, a dispute over Russian gas transit, by granting Greece a limited exemption for gas contracts...

Guolian Aquatic to Sell Sunnyvale Seafood's California Property for $17 Million

China's Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products (300094.SZ) has approved the sale of US real estate tied to its Sunnyvale Seafood subsidiary for approximately $17 million, the latest in a series of asset disposals as the company works to reverse years of deepening losses.

Guolian's board approved the move on July 15, with its wholly-owned US subsidiary Liancheng Investments, LLC set to sell the property at 2910 Faber Street, Union City, California — the longtime address of Sunnyvale Seafood, Guolian's US shrimp and seafood importing arm...

House Passes Bill Giving FDA Authority to Destroy Contaminated Food Imports

Legislation that would allow the US Food and Drug Administration to destroy imported food products deemed hazardous passed the US House of Representatives on July 21.

The Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715), introduced by Reps. Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Troy Carter (D-LA), advanced via the House suspension calendar, a procedural track typically reserved for broadly bipartisan measures that allows bills to move quickly with limited debate and no amendments, requiring a two-thirds majority for passage...

Albertsons Sales Pressured in Q1 as Digital and Pharmacy Growth Offset Softer Consumer Demand

Albertsons Companies reported a slight increase in net sales and other revenue at $24,941.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, up 0.2% from the same period last year, as growth in fuel sales, pharmacy and digital helped offset weaker grocery trends.

For the 16 weeks ended June 20, 2026, the US grocery chain posted net income of approximatly $85 million, or $0.17 per share, while adjusted net income reached just over $210 million, or $0.42 per...

Newfoundland and Labrador Seafood Sector Valued at C$2.11bn in 2025

Newfoundland and Labrador’s seafood industry generated a combined market value of C$2.11 billion in 2025, with the wild fisheries and aquaculture sectors continuing to underpin the province’s economy, according to newly released data.

"Our seafood industry continues to be a major economic driver for Newfoundland and Labrador, supporting workers, families and communities throughout the province," said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Loyola O’Driscoll. "Surpassing $2 billion in market value is a significant milestone that reflects the strength of our local fishing...

Nova Scotia Awards C$2.22M to Seafood, Aquaculture Firms for Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Nova Scotia is providing C$2.22 million to support 20 seafood and aquaculture companies as they invest in technologies aimed at cutting fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding marks the third round of support through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund, a three-year program administered by Efficiency Nova Scotia. The fund is designed to help companies adopt upgrades ranging from solar panels to hybrid propulsion systems for fishing vessels.

“The seafood sector is a pillar of...

HF Foods Expands into Canada with $35M Acquisition of Searay Foods

HF Foods Group Inc., a distributor of international foodservice solutions to Asian restaurants and other businesses across the United States, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Searay Foods Inc., including Morgan Foods Inc. and Searay Foods USA Inc. for approximately CAD$47.9 million (about US$35 million based on current exchange rates).

Announced July 23, the acquisition marks HF Foods' first expansion outside the United States and its entry into the Canadian market.

British Columbia-based Searay is an importer and distributor of ethnic...

EU Seafood Alliance Calls Out Europe's Protein Strategy for Leaving Aquatic Foods on the Sidelines

Europe's seafood sector is pushing back on the European Commission's newly published protein agenda, warning that a strategy built around livestock and plant-based sources while sidelining fisheries and aquaculture will leave critical gaps in the bloc's food security framework.

The European Union Seafood Alliance (EUSeA) — which brings together EAPO, Europêche, FEAP, Seafood Europe, and the European Mollusc Producers' Association (EMPA) — welcomed the Commission's Action Plan for resilience, strategic autonomy and sustainability of the EU protein system...

EPA Grants First-Ever Tier 4 Engine Exemption to Support New England Lobster Industry

The US Environmental Protection Agency has exempted a specific new lobster boat model in Chatham, Massachusetts, from Tier 4 marine engine requirements — marking the first time the agency has invoked this exemption authority since the waiver process was established in 2024.

The exemption allows the Chatham vessel builder to use a Tier 3 engine after EPA determined that currently available Tier 4 engines cannot fit within the applicant's vessel design while maintaining essential operational requirements. The exempt engine must meet Tier 3 emission standards...

GSA Announces First Marketplace Participants for 2026 Responsible Seafood Summit

A growing roster of retailers, foodservice companies and seafood buyers will take part in the 2026 Responsible Seafood Summit, with the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announcing the first confirmed marketplace participants ahead of the event.

The Summit, which will be held September 21–24 in Bangkok, Thailand, is expected to bring together seafood producers, processors, retailers, foodservice companies, NGOs, certification organizations and researchers to discuss the industry's biggest challenges and opportunities.

Among the marketplace representatives confirmed to attend are Albertsons, ALDI, Bidfood, Captain D's, Mark Foods...

Young’s Targets Adult Shoppers with Launch of Chip Shop Jumbo Fish Fingers

Young’s is expanding its bestselling Chip Shop Jumbo range with the introduction of Chip Shop Jumbo Fish Fingers, as the frozen seafood brand looks to attract more adult consumers and breathe new life into the fish finger category.

Available exclusively in ASDA from July before rolling out to additional retailers from September 2026, the new product features four 80g Alaska Pollock fish fingers coated in Young’s signature crispy, bubbly Chip Shop batter. Designed to deliver a more indulgent take on a familiar...

Norwegian Salmon Mortality Falls 35.7% as Industry Improvements Drive Decline

Mortality among Norwegian farmed salmon and trout has fallen significantly in recent years, with new data from the Directorate of Fisheries showing a 35.7% decline compared with the same period over the past three years.

The decline marks the lowest mortality level recorded for the first half of the year since 2018, with June 2026 also recording the lowest figures for the month across the same period.

The improvement has been seen across most of Norway’s production areas (POs), with 11 of 13 POs reporting lower...

ANALYSIS: US Sockeye Prices Hold Firm as Reports of Increased Freezing Surface

Prices for fresh wild sockeye H&G have held firm through the 2026 season, establishing a year-over-year premium that has become one of the more notable storylines of this year's Bristol Bay campaign. As of mid-July 2026, pricing carries an average of $7.625/lb, compared to an average of approximately $5.90/lb at the same point last year — a spread of roughly $1.70/lb or approximately +29% year-over-year.

What makes this year particularly notable is the shape of the pricing curve, not just the absolute levels. In 2025, the season...

De Heus Opens Vietnam Cold-Water Fish Feed Mill

De Heus Animal Nutrition has opened a new marine and cold-water fish feed mill in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. It is the De Heus' first facility dedicated exclusively to cold-water fish feed production, the company stated. Its annual production capacity will amount to 84,000 MT.

According to De Heus, the facility will serve both domestic Vietnamese producers and international markets. It will cater to growing opportunities in marine aquaculture for species including sea bass and barramundi destined for regional and export markets.

WA and OR Legislators and Industry Respond to Sudden Loss of BPA Funding for Columbia River Hatchery

State and federal lawmakers are joining industry to object to the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) June 18 decision to end its $2.4 million annual fund for the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) Program in the Lower Columbia River. The SAFE Program is a collaboration of three partners: the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Clatsop County.

Withdrawal of the funds places more than 7 million hatchery salmon currently in production at immediate...

Chile Defines 'Micro-Relocation' in Aquaculture Reform, Unlocking 95 Stalled Concession Requests

Chile's Senate Environment Committee has approved a key definition within the country's sweeping aquaculture reform legislation, establishing the concept of "micro-relocation" for salmon farming concessions and exempting such moves from the country's full environmental impact assessment process.

Under the approved language — put forward by President José Antonio Kast's administration — a micro-relocation is defined as a shift of no more than 350 meters from any vertex of an existing concession, undertaken solely to improve environmental conditions such as water depth and current velocity, which affect the dispersion...

No Landings of Eastern Hokkaido Japanese Sardine One Month After Season Opening; Abnormal Situation 

The Japanese sardine fishery using purse seine vessels off the coast of eastern Hokkaido opened in mid-June. Although a month has passed, no landings had been recorded as of July 21. The Minato Shimbun reported concerns about the outlook, noting that this is the first time since 2018—an eight-year gap—that the initial landing has been delayed until July or later.

The fishing season runs from June 16 to the end of October. In recent...

NOAA, Scottish Fishing Leaders Advance Cooperative Research

Federal scientists and leaders from Scotland's commercial fishing industry spent three days in the Northeast exploring how cooperative research can strengthen fisheries management, improve trust between fishermen and scientists, and address shared challenges facing fisheries on both sides of the Atlantic.

The exchange, NOAA's first international cooperative research gathering with the Scottish Fishermen's Organization, brought together scientists, fisheries managers, academics and nonprofit organizations for discussions, vessel tours and industry visits. Organizers said the goal was to demonstrate how combining fishermen's firsthand knowledge with scientific expertise can improve fisheries science...

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...