ANALYSIS: US Fresh Imported Seafood Supply Constraints Continue to Drive Market Direction

Fresh imported seafood supplies remain constrained across much of the complex, with 2025 import volumes for several key species — including mahi, snapper, swordfish, and grouper — all trending below year-ago levels. Although January and February 2026 Census data have not yet been released, market participants continue to report lighter arrivals and reduced product availability, suggesting that tight supply conditions have persisted into the new year. Replacement costs have also moved higher, leaving the market increasingly sensitive to even small changes in availability...

Importers Face Long Wait for Tariff Refunds

Importers across industries, expecting refunds of roughly $166 billion collected under now-invalidated emergency tariffs instituted by Trump, face a prolonged and uncertain wait. That is according to a government filing that estimated more than 4.4 million hours of manual processing to handle the claims.

After the Supreme Court struck down the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs last month, UW Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told the Court of International Trade that refunding duties from more than 53 million import entries, of which 20.1 million remain unliquidated, presents an unprecedented logistical...

Day 14 of Iran War: US Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions; Shipping Risks Mount 

Israeli airstrikes have hit Tehran on the 14^th day of the Iran war as Iran and its allies launch retaliatory attacks across Gulf states, sharply escalating tensions across the region and disrupting global energy markets.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains severely disrupted.

On Friday, the US issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea. Oil prices eased following the announcement, though prices are...

Sun Coast Calamari Expands Fleet with Two Purse Seine Vessels, Names New General Manager

The Reichle family's Sun Coast Calamari has added two purse seine vessels to its fleet and appointed industry veteran Luis Lara as general manager, the company announced in a joint statement with sister company Lund's Fisheries.

The addition of F/V Anduril and F/V Taylor Brooks brings the Reichle family's total fleet to seven fishing vessels and reinforces the company's commitment to the California market squid fishery. Sun Coast said the expansion will increase its footprint in the fishery and boost harvest volumes...

Expana's Weekly Top Ten: From Middle East Tensions to Tariff Refund Challenges

Welcome to this week's Top 10. In this edition, we've compiled original content pinpointing key developments affecting global markets and industries following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

This recap highlights ripple effects on oil prices and amino acid markets to impactful changes in US seafood consumption and tariff refunds. Additionally, explore shifts in dietary guidelines and new investments aimed at enhancing sustainability and traceability in the seafood sector. This list is in no particular order.

10. Stay informed with Expana's comprehensive coverage on global markets as...

Expansion, Acquisitions, and Promotions Lead Activity in Foodservice

In this first-half-of-March foodservice roundup, operators continue to pursue growth across global markets while leveraging promotions and partnerships to drive traffic. Highlights include new international franchise agreements, portfolio expansion through acquisition, and marketing activations tied to major cultural moments. From development in emerging markets to value-driven limited-time offers, brands are pairing expansion with targeted marketing to maintain momentum.

Expansion

The Wendy's Company is expanding its presence in Mexico with the announcement of two new franchise agreements, adding over 60 fresh Wendy's...

Chile’s Sernapesca Raids Illegal Processing Plant, Seizes 6 Tons of Salmon

Another illegal seafood processing plant in Chile was raided by authorities, according to a March 11 update from Chile’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca).

Sernapesca said the processing facility was discovered during an inspection in the BioBio region of the country, in the commune of Talcahuano. A summons was issued to the courts for those running the illegal operation, the plant was shuttered, and six tons of Atlantic salmon were confiscated.

Ana María Fernández, regional director of Sernapesca Biobío, highlighted the work carried out in this operation...

NFI Names Morgan Bell Senior Director of Public Policy and International Relations

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) announced Morgan Bell as its new Senior Director of Public Policy and International Relations on March 12.

Bell worked as NFI's Director of Public Policy and, before that, was part of Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton’s staff, serving as both Regional Director and Fisheries Policy Advisor.

Recently, Bell testified at the International Trade Commission as part of a hearing on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as Expana covered.

Speaking on behalf of the entire commercial seafood value chain...

Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Support Hits Record High at 85% in Industry-Commissioned Survey

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers' Association (ACFFA) commissioned a survey showing 85% regional support for aquaculture, representing a four-point increase from 2024 and the highest level on record.

Narrative Research Associates conducted the telephone survey of 1,450 Atlantic Canadians aged 18 and older from February 4-23, 2026, as part of its Atlantic Quarterly Survey. Results are accurate to within ±2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Support reached record levels in Nova Scotia at 83%...

Nammu Announces Full-Team Rollout at Stavis Seafoods, Advancing Sales Modernization Efforts

Nammu today announced that Stavis Seafoods has deployed its platform across the company's entire sales team. The deployment integrates Nammu with Stavis' ERP and brings the sales team onto one platform, helping sales reps stay on top of a large customer base and product catalog in a fast-moving business. With live visibility into ordering patterns, inventory signals, and account activity, salespeople can focus on follow-ups, spot opportunities earlier, and spend less time manually sifting through spreadsheets...

Thai Union to Make Free Wi-Fi Accessible for Fishers

Thai Union Group PCL., a global leader in sustainable seafood, today outlined a significant commitment to deepen its support for the people at the heart of the seafood industry by enabling free Wi-Fi on fishing vessels.

As a key pillar of its award-winning SeaChange® sustainability strategy now in its 10th year, Thai Union aims to have 50% of the tuna it sources from long-distance fishing vessels enabled by Wi-Fi access by the end of 2026, and 75% by 2028. This groundbreaking initiative is a...

Salmon Surges While Shrimp Slips in NFI's Top 10 US Consumption Rankings

Salmon emerged as the standout winner in US seafood consumption patterns for 2023, while the traditionally dominant shrimp category showed signs of vulnerability, according to the National Fisheries Institute's annual top 10 species list.

Salmon consumption surged 0.29 pounds to 3.51 pounds per capita, reinforcing its position as America's second-most consumed seafood. The growth contrasts sharply with shrimp's performance, despite maintaining its No. 1 ranking at 5.10 pounds per capita; shrimp consumption declined by a notable 0.40 pounds from 2022 levels...

Day 13 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue, Brent Crude Tops $100 Again

US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Thursday as the war entered its 13th day, while Tehran intensified retaliatory attacks that have unsettled global energy markets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could consider ending the war if its “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, reparations are paid, and binding international guarantees are put in place to prevent future attacks.

Maritime tensions are increasing around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of tanker attacks off Iraq and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf...

Olav Holst-Dyrnes to Lead Hofseth International AS

Hofseth International AS, the vertically integrated seafood group, has announced the appointment of Olav Holst-Dyrnes as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective in the third quarter of the company’s fiscal year 2026.

In this role, Holst-Dyrnes will lead the company’s development, focusing on sustainable salmon farming and processing, and will draw on the extensive experience he has gained through various executive positions held throughout his career in the industry.

Previously, he served as CEO of the listed seafood company Havfisk ASA from 2012 to 2014 (now...

Washington State Adjusts Strategy to Limit Dangerous Low-Oxygen Levels in Puget Sound 

Across the country, states and regions are facing outdated permit processes, overwhelmed wastewater treatment plants, and competing land use policies that are creating oxygen ‘dead-zones’ where marine life cannot survive. 

Some of the worst areas in the U.S. are the northern Gulf of Mexico (now known as the Gulf of America) fanning out from the Mississippi River; the Chesapeake Bay, fed by the Susquehanna, Potomac, and James Rivers; and in the Pacific Northwest’s Puget Sound, into which the Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Nisqually, and the Skokomish...

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Iowa Wholesaler, Chicago Importer Over Seafood HACCP Violations

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a pair of Warning Letters on March 10, citing Chicago-based El Rey USA Meats & Seafood Inc. and Iowa-based Rio Verde Food Service Inc. for serious violations of seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations.

Rio Verde Faces Oyster Temperature Control Issues

Rio Verde Food Service Inc., located in Des Moines, received its warning letter dated February 27 following a July 2025 inspection that found critical deficiencies in the company's live oyster HACCP program...

Three Recreational Fishers Fined a Combined $11,600 for Illegal Sea Cucumber Harvesting

Illegal harvesting poses risks to fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and local economies. Fishery officers with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) play a vital role in protecting Canada’s vital aquatic resources by enforcing fishing laws, conducting inspections, monitoring ecosystems, and promoting public education and conservation.

A total of three judgements in Campbell River Provincial Court were issued between November 24, 2025 and January 29, 2026, concluding three...

Maryland Blue Catfish Processors Oppose Federal MAWS Act, Warn of Market Disruption

A coalition of Maryland's blue catfish processors is pushing back against proposed federal legislation they say could undermine years of work building human consumption markets for the invasive species, with Congressman Andy Harris joining their opposition to the MAWS Act.

The four family-owned processors, representing every facility in Maryland processing wild-caught blue catfish for human consumption, sent a letter opposing the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act introduced by Representative Sarah K. Elfreth and co-led by Representative Robert J. Wittman...

Deep Dive into Seven Decades of Data Reveals Broader Spawning Distribution of Bluefin Tuna

A group of 16 scientists led by NOAA Fisheries but including partners from as far away as Poland and Mexico took a deep dive into scientific data collected decades ago and struck gold. Led by David Richardson of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Narragansett, RI, the group found that spawning grounds for the iconic bluefin tuna are more broadly distributed than previously thought.  

Historically, bluefin tuna have been managed as two stocks—one that spawns in the Mediterranean Sea (the eastern) and the other that...

Quota Rule Changes Aim to Lift Profitability in Russia’s Deep‑Sea Crab Sector

Russia will stimulate production of deep‑sea crabs by easing catch requirements, removing certain species from auctions with investment obligations.

Deep‑sea crabs found at depths up to 1,800 meters were recently excluded from auctions that require winning bidders to build vessels and processing facilities. Quotas for these crabs will no longer be offered under investment‑obligation terms, freeing businesses from those construction and investment requirements.

Russian media report the change will mainly affect angulatus snow crab in the East Sakhalin and North Okhotsk subzones...

Cold Water Signals Along West Coast Could Help Assess Whale Entanglement Risk

Fisheries scientists at the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries) see a connection between the West Coast's cool, highly productive water upwelling and an increased risk of humpback whales becoming entangled in fishing gear. 

The wind-driven upwelling of cold, deep-ocean water fuels the area’s rich coastal ecosystem. It attracts marine life, which draws whales to abundant prey and to higher rates of entanglement in fishing gear.

The scientists measured changes in the corridor of cold thermal waters along the coast with what they call...

Kura Sushi and JUJUTSU KAISEN Reignite Limited-Time Collaboration

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., renowned for its revolving sushi restaurants, is stirring up excitement with the return of its collaboration with JUJUTSU KAISEN.

The partnership is set to captivate fans with a limited-time Bikkura Pon dining experience featuring new collectibles and ramen dishes inspired by the mystical Jujutsu sorcerers from March 16 through April 30.

This collaboration promises a host of thrilling prizes, showcasing beloved characters such as Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Satoru Gojo. Guests will earn JUJUTSU KAISEN x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon...

Mega Sardines Makes Splash at Natural Products Expo West behind “The Year of the Sardine”

Mega Sardines takes “The Year of the Sardine” global at world’s largest natural products expo.

Mega Sardines, alongside the Medical Wellness Association, continues the global tour celebrating 2026 as “The Year of the Sardine” due to the myriad of health benefits associated with regular consumption of this nutritious little dynamo fish.

After launching in Asia in January, and in Dubai in February at the Gulfood show—and now in March in North America at the 45th annual Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim...

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: Farmgate Price Dynamics in Major Shrimp Origins and Their Impact on US Markets

Understanding how farmgate prices in key producing countries translate into US wholesale shrimp pricing requires careful attention to timing and the strength of statistical relationships. By examining five years of data—factoring in newly implemented tariffs (excluding antidumping and countervailing duties), yield loss and exchange‐rate movements—we uncover distinct lead-lag patterns and correlation intensities for two core product forms: Peeled and Deveined Tail-On (PDTO) and Headless Shell-On (HLSO).

India

In India, PDTO farmgate prices and US wholesale PDTO...

Fisheries Funds Negotiations Between Canada, Coastal Provinces Begin; Current Program Ends March 31

"In a rapidly shifting global environment, Canada's fish and seafood sector needs the tools to adapt, grow, and seize new opportunities. By renewing and revitalizing Canada’s fish funds, we help drive innovation, open new markets, and position Canadian harvesters and processors to compete and thrive on the world stage,” announced Joanne Thompson, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, as the government of Canada is entering negotiations for a five-year renewal of the country’s three fisheries funds. 

“This sector has always been a vital part...

Shinkei Systems Expands in Pacific Northwest with New Facility

Shinkei Systems, a seafood robotics company, has announced an expansion in Tacoma, Washington, set to be fully operational by the spring with a core team in place and plans for additional hiring during peak fishing seasons in the years ahead.

This Seremoni Grade Plant was acquired from FATHOM Seafood and spans 16,000 square feet.

Its location serves as a strategically positioned hub in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, within direct proximity to key regional fisheries. The company currently sources black cod from fishermen in Alaska...

Hunchun Border Crossing Becomes Main Gateway for Russian Live Crab to China

Russian‑Chinese crab trade has strengthened in recent months, supported by a surge in Chinese demand ahead of the Lunar New Year.

To handle higher volumes, logistics have improved significantly. Most Russian live crab now enters China through the Hunchun border crossing, which operated at full capacity prior to the holiday period due to increased shipments from Russia, according to Chinese media.

Hunchun, located in China's Jilin Province at the junction of the borders with Russia and North Korea, has...

Innovasea Repositions with New Brand Identity and Reorganized Leadership

Innovasea, the aquaculture technology and fish‑tracking firm, rolled out a refreshed brand identity and a reorganized leadership structure this week, positioning the company to more clearly link its product portfolio to its mission on sustainability and global seafood systems. The update includes a reimagined logo, new color palette, a redesigned website and a regrouping of offerings to highlight fully integrated open‑ocean and land‑based solutions.

The rebrand explicitly ties Innovasea’s identity to its affiliations with innovaciones Alumbra (iAlumbra) and the Cuna del Mar portfolio and emphasizes the company’s push...

Friendly’s Brings Joy to the Table With Fiesta Flavors, Dirty Sodas and 10 Under $10 Value Menu

Friendly’s is turning mealtime into a fiesta this spring with the launch of its Fiesta Flavors menu, a trio of new Dirty Sodas and an all-new 10 Under $10 Value Menu, all available starting March 11. The limited-time offerings blend comfort and creativity, giving families new reasons to gather while keeping value front and center.

Headlining the launch is the Fiesta Flavors lineup, featuring four limited-time entrées (each starting at $15.99):

Southwest Taco Burger...