GSMC 2026: India Tariff Uncertainty Keeps Shrimp Buyers Nimble as Ecuador Gains Ground

At the Global Seafood Market Conference in Hollywood Beach, National Fisheries Institute’s Richard Barry moderated a shrimp panel featuring Paul Jamieson (Director of Purchasing, Bloomin’ Brands), Gabriel Luna (Founder, Glunashrimp), Dr. Robins McIntosh (EVP, Shrimp Culture Tech, Charoen Pokphand Foods), Pete Palma (EVP, Foodservice, Southwind Foods), and Guy Pizzuti (Seafood Director, Publix).

Panelists said India’s 50% tariff has sharply reduced Indian shipments to the US, while recent FDA actions focused on Indonesia have pushed buyers to diversify, most notably toward Ecuador's expanding value-added capacity...

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...

Operation River Raid Targets Illegal Catfish Harvest and Pay Lake Operations

Utilizing surveillance and shared intelligence, multiple agencies conducted a collaborative investigation dubbed Operation River Raid. The effort involved Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Game Wardens and Fisheries Division employees from across the state, along with district and circuit courts in numerous counties. The investigation has identified 25 individuals to be charged with violations related to the illegal commercial harvest and sale of catfish from public waters and the unlawful operation of pay lakes across Kentucky.

"This case reflects our commitment to safeguarding Kentucky's natural...

Russia Hopes for Stable Production and Exports of Mackerel This Year

Russia hopes for stable production and exports of mackerel this year, as the demand for this fish steadily grows in both domestic and foreign markets.

In recent years, the migratory range of mackerel has significantly expanded, allowing Russian fishermen to begin harvesting this fish in new areas such as the Sea of Japan and parts of the Norwegian Sea, which are accessible to Russian trawlers. Previously, the Black Sea was a key location for mackerel fishing, but the focus for Russian fishermen has shifted predominantly...

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: 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: 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...

GSMC 2026: Retail Panel Eyes Meal-Planning Gap, Young Consumer Engagement to Drive Seafood Sales

Retail seafood leaders tackled the perennial challenge of growing consumption, this time with a sharper focus on meal planning, in-store visibility, and creating solutions for younger consumers at the 2026 edition of the Global Seafood Market Conference. The panel was moderated by Ken Pentheny, Director of Retail Sales, F.W. Bryce. Panelists included Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics; Jason Driskill, VP - Seafood, Sushi, Meal Simple at H-E-B; and Guy Pizzuti, Seafood Director at Publix...

Leadership Uncertainty and Market Headwinds Temper The Kingfish Company’s Q4 Results

The Kingfish Company N.V. has released its Q4 2025 trading and financial update.

Specializing in the production of yellowtail kingfish, the company is recognized as a pioneer in land-based aquaculture.

Just before the holidays, Expana reported that the company would welcome Karl Buiks as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2026 following news of Vincent Erenst's planned retirement. About a month later,  Expana reported Buiks's resignation.

Erenst, whose last day was scheduled for December 31, agreed to...

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...

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...

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...