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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...