ANALYSIS: China’s North American Lobster Imports Show Early-Year Decline

The latest GACC (General Administration of Chinese Customs) import figures show that volumes of Homarus Americanus entering China fell year‑over‑year in January–February. Two years ago, combined January–February imports stood at 6,427 metric tons (MT); they dropped by 7.1% in 2025 and declined by a further 18.1% in 2026 to reach 4,889 MT. In USD value, this translates into a 12.3% decrease last year, followed by a 21.1% fall year-over-year for the first couple of...

Clearwater Dismisses MP's Allegations of Illegal Lobster Trans-Shipping in Area 41

Canadian MP Clifford Small accused Clearwater Seafoods of illegally trans-shipping lobster at sea to circumvent Area 41 quota restrictions during Monday's House of Commons Fisheries Committee hearing, according to the Chronicle Herald.

Small told Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson that inshore harvesters witnessed smaller vessels tying up to Clearwater's offshore vessel Randell Dominaux to offload lobster, violating quota management protocols for the Southwest Nova Scotia fishery, the Chronicle Herald reported.

During the meeting, Small went on the offensive...

Premium Brands Reports Record Q4 Results; Clearwater Challenges Continue

Canadian specialty food company Premium Brands Holdings Corporation reported record fourth quarter 2025 results on March 19, with revenue reaching $1.9 billion, up 15.7% from the prior year, though its seafood operations faced continued headwinds.

The Vancouver-based company posted record adjusted EBITDA of $179.5 million, up 20.7%, and record adjusted earnings per share of $1.29, representing a 22.9% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year 2025, Premium Brands achieved record revenue of $7.5 billion, up 15.6%...

Canadian Fisheries Minister Champions $6.1B Trade Partnership with US Market

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson led a multi-provincial delegation to Seafood Expo North America, emphasizing the strength of North American seafood trade relationships while addressing industry concerns about evolving trade dynamics.

Thompson's delegation included representatives from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia, reflecting the national scope of Canada's seafood export priorities. The minister used the Boston platform to reinforce Canada's commitment to what she called "fair, stable, predictable, and rules-based trade," supporting both Canadian and American coastal communities...

Benson Seafood Rebrands, Opening New Processing Plant to Add Crab, Scallops and Value‑added Lobster

Benson Seafood, the former Benson Lobster, has rebranded and is opening a new processing facility on Grand Manan, New Brunswick, the company announced in a LinkedIn post and in comments to Navigator Magazine.

The move shifts the family business beyond live Atlantic lobster into frozen and value‑added lobster, crab and scallop products. The company said the expansion will help open “new market opportunities” for its partners and broaden its product portfolio.

CEO Casey Benson told Navigator the plant is on track to open this...

Norwegian Seafood Exports Slip in February; Salmon Rises but US Demand Falls Sharply

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.8 billion ($1.4 billion) in February, a 2% decline from the same month a year earlier, the Norwegian Seafood Council reported on March 4. Exports for January–February totaled NOK 28.5 billion, down NOK 777 million (2.7%) versus the same period in 2025.

“Lower supplies of shellfish and wild-caught fish due to quota reductions, combined with a still troubled world and trade barriers, are affecting the market, product flows and prices even more strongly than we have experienced before...

Vietnam Tops China's Lobster Imports as Tariffs Shift Market Share

Vietnam has seen strong growth in lobster exports to China, with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) attributing the surge to increased demand from higher-income shoppers.

According to a February 21 VASEP update, China’s lobster imports reached 69,774 metric tons (MT) in 2025, up nearly 9,000 MT from the previous year and marking the highest volume in five years, based on Chinese Customs data.

This growth propelled Vietnam to become China’s top lobster supplier, surpassing Canada, which faced a 25% tariff that contributed to a 15%...

Cousins Maine Lobster Launches First Permanent Food Truck

Cousins Maine Lobster has officially expanded into South Carolina with the launch of its first permanent food truck in the Columbia market. Expana first reported on the company's plan to expand in the Southeast in December of last year.

This venture is spearheaded by long-time friends turned business partners, Dave Blosser and Matt Cobb. The pair are planning to introduce another truck in the Midlands community by 2027. Both Bloseser and Cobb have strong backgrounds in multi-unit operations, team leadership, and customer-focused...

Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun Named to Washington Post’s Next 50 List for 2026

Red Lobster's CEO, Damola Adamolekun, has been named to the Washington Post’s Next 50 List for 2026. The list highlights 50 individuals who are “reshaping how America thinks, works, connects and creates.” The publication said those included will define the stories of 2026.

Adamolekun, 36, has already made a significant impact at Red Lobster. He spearheaded a major menu update, including a renewed focus on seafood boils and revamped promotions. He was first named CEO in September 2024, ushering in a new era for the seafood...

Expana’s 2026 Valentine’s Day Index: Lower Lobster Tail Prices Help Pull Meal Costs Down

Expana’s US Valentine’s Day Index is live — and the big story for dinner tables is lobster. The Valentine’s Meal Index (beef tenderloin, lobster tail, potatoes) fell 7.8% year over year and 10.4% month over month, driven largely by softer lobster tail and potato prices.

For frozen North American lobster tails (5–6 oz, EBP), the year-to-date average sits near $19.50/lb, about 18% below the same period last year and well under the five-year seasonal average...

Stone Crab and Lobster Price-Fixing Case: Florida Exec Avoids Prison

Dennis Dopico, the Florida seafood executive who pleaded guilty to price‑fixing stone crab claws and spiny lobster, avoided jail and was sentenced to five years of probation for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. Dopico also has a restitution hearing scheduled for April 3, 2026.

Dopico was first indicted by the US Department of Justice in September 2025 for conspiring with competitors to fix seafood prices, as Expana previously reported.

The DOJ alleged that Dopico “knowingly joined and participated in a conspiracy with other persons and entities...

Maine Sea Grant Secures $2 Million for Lobster Research and Partnership Initiatives

The University of Maine has announced that its Maine Sea Grant Program has received $2 million in new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awards.

This support will bolster the University's research and outreach activities within the innovative NOAA Sea Grant-funded American Lobster Initiative (ALI). This initiative aims to bridge gaps in critical knowledge about the species, enhancing the resilience of fisheries. To date, it has funded over 40 projects in partnership with various stakeholders...

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...

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...

$400K Costco-Bound Lobster Shipment Hijacked in Cargo Theft

A $400,000 shipment of shelled lobster destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota was hijacked en route, with Rexing Companies claiming the theft was carried out by a driver impersonating a legitimate carrier, in what the company calls a targeted act linked to organized cargo crime rings.

Dylan Rexing, the head of Indiana-based The Rexing Companies, said his company was managing the lobster shipment from a Tauton, Massachusetts facility that was destined for the Costco locations.

“It is pretty safe to say that this...

Cousins Maine Lobster Expands Southeast Footprint with Three-Unit Agreement

Founded by real-life cousins in 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster continues its expansion, positioning the company as the leading lobster roll brand and one of the fastest-growing fast-casual seafood concepts.

This time, the brand is growing its presence in the Southeast with a three-unit agreement that will bring Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks to South Carolina—Charleston and Columbia—as well as a location in Birmingham, Alabama, over the next few years. This momentum aligns with recent growth that added 20...

Maine Lobsterman Petitions Supreme Court Over GPS Tracking Rule

A Maine lobsterman has petitioned the US Supreme Court to hear his challenge of a federal rule requiring 24/7 GPS tracking on licensed lobster vessels, arguing the mandate violates Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless surveillance.

Frank Thompson, a fifth-generation lobsterman, seeks to overturn the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission rule passed in 2023 that requires all federally licensed lobster vessels to install and continuously operate GPS trackers that transmit location data to the government at least once per minute...

Ireland's Salmon, Spiny Lobster Regain US Export Eligibility After MMPA Review

Ireland's farmed salmon and spiny lobster will be eligible for export to the United States after NOAA Fisheries found the country's fisheries meet US standards, according to a March 16 announcement.

The export ban took effect on January 1, 2026, and was first confirmed by Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Sea‑Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in November 2025, as Expana reported.

The ban was tied to National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) comparability findings under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)...

ANALYSIS: Salmon and Pollock Dominate EU‑US Seafood Flows as Trade Balance Shifts

At a time when US tariff policy reflects both commercial and geopolitical considerations of its partners, and given the temporary halt to the US‑EU trade agreement reached last summer, it is especially relevant to review the seafood trade relationship between the United States and the European Union...

Maine Lobster Harvest Drops 8M Pounds in 2025, Value Down More Than $75M

Maine’s lobster fishery softened in 2025, with preliminary state data showing landings down by roughly 8 million pounds and total value falling by more than $75 million year‑over‑year.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) reported lobstermen landed 78.8 million pounds last year, generating just over $461 million at the dock. The average boat price was $5.85 per pound — the third‑highest on record — but higher per‑pound returns did not offset the volume decline...

China Confirms 25% Tariff Removal on Canadian Lobster, Crab Effective March 1

China’s Finance Ministry confirmed on Friday that its 25% tariff on lobster and crab imports from Canada will be lifted on March 1 through the end of 2026.

The initial trade agreement between China and Canada was announced in mid-January, with an implementation target of March 1. The deal included the elimination of tariffs on snow crab and lobster, as well as on other agricultural products such as Canadian canola meal and peas.

After the deal was first announced, Geoff Irvine, the Executive Director...

Sea Port Products Marks 45 Years, Prepares Return to Seafood Expo North America 2026

Sea Port Products Corp will return to Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston this March, using the show as an opportunity to mark its 45th year in the seafood business.

The Kirkland, WA-based importer and distributor was founded in 1981 by James Dresser and his sons Bill and Don, evolving from a small brokerage into one of the country’s notable suppliers of shrimp and a variety of other seafood species. Sea Port now offers shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, finfish and other products sourced from...

Foodservice Chains Roll Out Lent Seafood Push: AYCE Shrimp, Pollock Tacos and Lobster Sandwiches

As Lent begins tomorrow, the foodservice industry is diving into the seafood wave, introducing fresh options to captivate patrons. Numerous specials and limited-time offers have emerged, as reported by Expana last week, while new promotions continue to surface. We remain committed to keeping the industry informed about the latest seafood innovations and trends throughout this season.

Golden Corral is reintroducing its All-You-Can-Eat Butterfly Shrimp & Steak, featuring tender Signature Carved Sirloin and crispy jumbo Butterfly Shrimp, available for a limited time...

P.F. Chang's Unveils Limited-Time Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Menu

P.F. Chang's is embracing the spirit of love with a special Valentine's Day offering, a limited-time prix fixe menu available from February 12 through February 16 at participating locations nationwide.

For $89.99, guests can savor a five-course dinner for two, combining P.F. Chang's beloved classics with exciting new dishes. (Note: Pricing at New York City's Union Square and Honolulu, HI locations is set at $99.99).

"P.F. Chang's is a place where great food sets the tone for a...

Larry's Catch Secures Investment on Canadian Show Dragons' Den

"Dragons' Den" is a television program in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas and models to a panel of Canadian business moguls, similar to the US hit show "Shark Tank."

On January 22, 2026, Larry's Catch debuted on the show, presenting its vision to make premium, wild-caught, and sustainable Canadian seafood accessible to households nationwide. After sharing their compelling mission and support for Canadian fishing families, co-founders Glen Creaser, James Quinn, and Javier Mejorada received offers from three Dragons.

"Pitching on Dragons'...

GSMC 2026: Seafood Volumes Slip in Foodservice, But Sushi, Shrimp, and Deli Items Show Promise

Seafood volumes in US foodservice fell in 2025, with shellfish driving most of the decline, Melissa Rodriguez, VP Perimeter at Circana, told attendees at the Global Seafood Market Conference. Total seafood servings were down year‑over‑year, as a 5.9% drop in shellfish outpaced a 2.1% gain in fish. Restaurants, which account for nearly three‑quarters of total seafood pound volume, saw their volumes decline even as dollar sales increased, a sign that menu price inflation is masking the pullback in consumption...

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...

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...

Winding Glass: Trump Policies of Tariff and Weak Dollar Damaged Seafood in 2025, Likely to Continue 

Tariffs and a weak dollar created artificial seafood supply shortages in the US in 2025. The result: higher prices for consumers, reduced consumption, and a reorientation of global trade flows away from America.

Supply is the ultimate driver of seafood pricing, as any boat captain landing in New Bedford, Gloucester or Maine will tell you. On days with more boats, prices are down.

The same dynamic holds at the stock level. When a population expands or contracts, it changes the...

Captain Fresh‑Owned CenSea Acquires Ocean Edge, Expands Lobster and Crab Offerings

Captain Fresh-owned US seafood importer CenSea has acquired Ocean Edge, a move aimed at strengthening its crab and lobster portfolio.

CenSea described Ocean Edge as a specialist in lobster and crab, saying the deal will deepen its premium lobster offerings and establish formal crab capabilities alongside its core shrimp business.

Founded in 2006, Ocean Edge has grown into a premium crustacean supplier, sourcing from Canada, Honduras, and South Africa. The brand’s range also includes imitation crab marketed under the Ocean Edge label...