ANALYSIS: Salmon Exports to Middle East, North Africa Face Potential Halt Amid Regional Crisis

Salmon exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region grew steadily through 2025, with Norway dominating the market and Chile holding a smaller but notable presence. This expansion may now face a severe disruption following the outbreak of conflict in the region, which could significantly impair maritime trade and reshape global seafood supply chains. 

Norway's salmon exports to MENA climbed steadily from roughly 43,000 metric tons (MT) in 2023 to 50,000 MT in 2024, reaching about 58,000 MT in 2025...

Silver Bay Seafoods Pauses Processing in Cordova, AK, Blaming Low Salmon Forecasts in 2026

Last Friday, Silver Bay Seafoods, a leading processor in Alaska, announced that it will not be processing fish in Cordova, home port for the fleet of more than 800 gill netters and seiners that harvest salmon from the Copper River and Prince William Sound, due to low forecasted returns in both areas.  

But the Sitka, AK and Seattle, WA-based processor will be buying fish from the Cordova fleet, transporting the catch to either Valdez or Seward for processing at Silver Bay's facilities there...

Iran War Enters Fourth Day, Driving Higher Crude Prices and Broad Commodity Swings

The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified into its fourth day, with Tehran reporting a death toll of 787 as strikes continue to target leadership and infrastructure. Israel’s campaign, initially described as a two-week operation, is reportedly advancing faster than expected, with no firm end date signaled. US President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks.

Global markets remain on edge. Crude oil surged nearly 4% in overnight trade, while European equities fell sharply. US stock futures also pointed lower, with the three major indices last shedding about 2%...

ANALYSIS: Middle East Conflict Could Shift Global Tuna Demand

The Middle East has shown a sustained increase in demand for canned tuna. According to industry sources, in 2025, import market activity in Libya, Egypt and Jordan, among others, increased.

Since canned tuna is considered an affordable source of protein with a long shelf life, ease of transport, high nutritional value, and minimal preparation requirements, the recent escalation in the Middle East is likely to drive further growth in demand.

Thailand, the world's largest supplier of canned tuna, shipped 567,191 MT through December 2025. The total export from Thailand to Libya...

Judges Order Columbia and Snake River Dams to Help Salmon Migrate Through the Rivers This Year

Last week, a federal judge in Oregon issued a decision that essentially reversed President Trump’s June 2025 withdrawal from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement.  

Although the agreement has not been reinstated, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon ordered a series of emergency operations at eight dams on the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers to aid in salmon and steelhead passage. 

In his decision, he also noted that the current case had its origins thirty years ago...

How the US‑Iran Conflict Is Affecting Global Commodity Markets

US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have sparked significant disruptions in energy, freight, and wider commodity and agricultural markets.

Oil surged at the start of the week, global stock markets wavered, and the energy and shipping sectors have become central to an escalating crisis as commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has halted to a near standstill. 

On Monday, the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran escalated, extending the conflict to Lebanon as Israel responded to strikes by...

Spex Flex: Pacific Fishery Management Council Faces Uncertainty Brought by Climate Change — Part 3

At the same meeting, the Council added an emergency agenda item to consider a change in the 2026 harvest specifications for canary rockfish, shortspine thornyhead, and petrale sole.  

The reduced harvest specifications for these species had led to unusually negative impacts on fishing communities and businesses. At the same time, industry representatives reported that on-the-water observations were not matching the results of the 2023 stock assessments, which were used to set the 2025-26 harvest specifications and management measures...

Japan to Reduce 19 Tuna Longliners in Compliance with IOTC Policy

On February 27, the Fisheries Agency of Japan approved an implementation plan for the reorganization of the deep-sea tuna longline fishery, submitted by the Japan Tuna Fisheries Co-operative Association, in accordance with the International Fisheries Reorganization Measures. The reduction in vessels will be by 19. This measure will strengthen the protection of tuna resources in the Indian Ocean, particularly bigeye tuna, according to Minato Shimbun. 

At its annual meeting in April last year, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) adopted a plan to reduce fishing capacity...

Kroger Customers Can Enjoy Premium Convenient Meals in Minutes with Private Selection® Expansion

Today, The Kroger Co. is announcing an expansion of its Private Selection® brand with a new lineup of deliciously crafted premium and convenient meals thoughtfully developed and designed to deliver bold flavor in minutes for customers who are short on time. Exclusively available across the Kroger Family of Stores, the 20+ new meals balance globally inspired tastes with ready-to-eat convenience.

"The new Private Selection® line brings high quality and convenience without the premium price tag or hours spent...

ANALYSIS: Frozen Yellowfin Tuna Imports Hold Steady in 2025 as Prices Show Little Volatility

US imports of frozen yellowfin tuna closed 2025 largely in line with recent historical trends, reinforcing the sector's relative stability. Total imports reached 91.9 million pounds, down 3.5% from 2024 but firmly within the established five-year range. Indonesia and Vietnam continue to anchor supply, collectively representing the bulk of total arrivals and maintaining consistent shipment patterns despite shifting trade conditions...

Senate Democrats Introduce Tariff Refund Act to Reclaim $175B in IEEPA Duties

A coalition of democrats senators introduced legislation that would require refunds of President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, which were shot down last week by the US Supreme Court.

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Small Business Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., released the Tariff Refund Act of 2026 on February 26. The bill was co-sponsored by over 23 senators.

According to the US Senate Finance Committee, the Trump administration...

Ørjan Svanevik Steps Down as Mowi Chair, Leif Teksum Takes Interim Role

Late last week, Mowi ASA announced the resignation of Ørjan Svanevik as Chair of the Board. His departure follows his resignation from Seatankers Management, an associated company of Geveran Trading Co. Ltd, and takes effect immediately.

The remaining board members continue to meet quorum requirements and revealed that Vice Chair Leif Teksum had been appointed Interim Chair.

Teksum has served on Mowi’s board since 2024 and brings extensive experience as both a board member and executive. He spent more than...

Chile's SMA Issues Preventive Notifications to 263 Salmon Farming Centers on Production Limits

Chile’s Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) has sent its first mass preventive notification of 2026 to 263 salmon farming centers, advising operators on current production levels against the maximum authorized in their environmental permits.

The notifications — part of SMA’s Environmental Compliance Strategy for Salmon Farming Centers launched in September 2023 — aim to help companies take early action to avoid overproduction at the end of their production cycles. According to SMA, the reports provide owners with estimates of their present output compared to their Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA)...

Golden Sea Brand Sushi EBI Shrimp Recalled in Quebec

Certain lots of Golden Sea brand Sushi EBI Frozen Cooked Shrimp have been recalled due to the presence of 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone, per a February 25 notice from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Transhing Investment Inc. initiated the Class 3 recall of the products that were distributed in Quebec, Canada to hotels, restaurants and institutions...

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...

Waitrose Becomes First UK Retailer to Suspend Mackerel Purchases

Waitrose became the first supermarket in the United Kingdom to suspend mackerel sourcing, citing a “stand against overfishing” and its effort to support sustainable fish stocks, the company announced on February 26.

The massive retailer will halt sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by April 29, with tinned mackerel following once its stock has sold through.

Waitrose highlighted the September 2025 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommendation to slash mackerel quotas by 70% to help stocks rebuild. Three months later, four Coastal States agreed to cut catches by 48%, and while the retailer believes that move was a step in the right direction, it doesn’t meet the scientific advice.

Spex Flex: Pacific Fisheries Management Council Faces Uncertainty Brought By Climate Change

This year, the Pacific Fishery Management Council took major steps toward making groundfish management more flexible and reactive to change. The lessons learned from making these changes to groundfish management may eventually be applied to other fisheries managed by the Council. 

The “flexibility in harvest specifications” (“spex flex”) initiative began as part of the routine groundfish workload and new management measure process, and became a focal area of the Council’s adaptive management effort after being pushed forward by public comment...

Red Lobster Strengthens Leadership with Key Executive Appointments Amid Growth Strategy

On March 2, Red Lobster announced new executive appointments aimed at strengthening its leadership team. 

"Red Lobster has made significant progress coming out of a challenging period, and we're now shifting from stabilization to a disciplined, execution-led growth phase focused on optimizing the guest experience, driving operational excellence, accelerating real estate optimization and building a stronger platform for durable growth," said Damola Adamolekun, the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Brad Hill has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of...

Alaska Board of Fish Charged with Conflict of Interest in Area M Chum Salmon Issue

The Aleutians East Borough and regional tribal governments filed a formal ethics complaint against members of the Alaska Board of Fisheries last week. The complaint was centered on a 4-3 vote that dismantled the Area M adaptive management program aimed at avoiding migrating chum salmon that spawn in the Yukon and Kuskokwim River systems. The complaint calls the program “the most successful in-season salmon conservation program in Alaska history.”

The vote was taken at the February 18-25, 2026, Board of Fisheries meeting...

Brinker International Promotes George Felix to Lead Marketing for Chili's and Maggiano's

Brinker International has promoted George Felix to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, where he will spearhead marketing efforts for both Chili's® Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy.

Felix, who joined Brinker in 2022 as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Chili's, has been praised for his success in revitalizing legacy brands.

In this expanded role, he will now bring his strategic vision to Maggiano's as part of their "Back to Maggiano's" initiative. Felix...

BioMar Expands Wuxi Facility with New Production Line

BioMar is expanding its production footprint in China, announcing plans to add a second production line at its Wuxi facility in 2026. The move follows several years of growth in partnership with joint venture partner Tongwei.

The expansion will increase capacity at Wuxi by 50,000 tonnes and introduce new technological capabilities, allowing the facility to produce specialty products for early growth stages and additional high-end species. Today, the Wuxi site primarily serves farmers producing trout, salmon, sturgeon, largemouth bass, turbot and yellow croaker. With the...

ANALYSIS: Salmon Retail Promotions Approach Record Highs; Europe Gains on Chile in US Imports

The farmed salmon fresh fillet market is navigating a period of modest volume growth alongside some potentially significant shifts in supply patterns. Global shipments totaled approximately 36.2 million pounds in December, just 0.2% higher than in November. Total year-to-date volume for fresh salmon fillets ended the year at 454.9 million pounds, which is 2.9% higher than the previous year.

Yet, beneath the stable headline figures, Chile’s longstanding dominance is facing renewed competition from a strengthening European presence, as Norway, the largest global salmon producer...

Japan: January Scallop Exports to the US Plummet by 86% to 63 Tons, 79% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, January's seafood exports (fish and shellfish preparations, fish meal) increased 33% in quantity to 33,660 tons compared to the same month last year, and 34% in value to 27.373 billion yen ($175.37 million). Scallops increased 9% to 2,325 tons and 12% to 7.179 billion yen ($45.99 million). Frozen shelled scallops decreased in both quantity and value, while frozen whole scallops in shell increased. Yellowtail decreased 3% to 2,758 tons and 49%...

Spex Flex: Pacific Fishery Management Council Faces Uncertainty Brought by Climate Change — Part 2

The concept of flexibility has been discussed in the Council process since its beginning, but the “spex flex” idea arose from the drastic cuts in canary, shortspine, and quillback mentioned above, as well as from existing initiatives coming together in the spring of 2025.  

Several ideas for increasing flexibility had been circulating in the Council process. In March, the Council was discussing an adaptive management project when Executive Director Merrick Burden noted that although the concept had originally focused on climate as the driver of change...

ACT Capital: US Seafood Revenue Rose on Pricing, Tariffs Reshaped Supply and M&A Stayed Active in 25

ACT Capital Advisors on Feb. 26 released its 2025 Seafood Industry Report, finding that US seafood market growth last year was driven largely by higher prices and premium product mixes rather than volume gains, and that trade policy and consolidation were the sector’s defining themes.

The Seattle investment bank said ready‑to‑eat and shelf‑stable formats captured incremental share and margin as consumers — especially younger buyers — shifted toward convenient, higher‑quality seafood for at‑home and on‑the‑go meals...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Markets Rally After SCOTUS Tariff Ruling, Section 122 Takes Center Stage

Welcome to Expana's Weekly Top 10 Stories, where we highlight the week's most significant events and trends across various sectors.

This edition features a crucial Supreme Court tariff ruling that leads to strategic pivots by the administration, a major sustainability-focused investment in China's industrial sector, and pivotal European Commission proposals affecting the fertilizer market.

We also cover notable shifts in the foodservice industry, dramatic agricultural incidents, and key economic indicators suggesting potential inflationary pressures. Explore these stories for a concise overview of impactful...

The Winding Glass: Tariff Uncertainty Returns; More Damaging than Actual Tariffs

Right now, in the first week of Lent, shrimp is on sale at Walmart. Kroger is running surf-and-turf promotions. Long John Silver's brought back its $6 Shrimp Basket. White Castle has Buttermilk Shrimp Nibblers. Del Taco is pushing Jumbo Shrimp Tacos. The seafood aisle looks, briefly, like things are fine. 

They are not fine. After a 9-month period of adjusting to tariffs, the seafood industry was finding pockets of stability, allowing for normal contracting and promotion activities. These promotions were all locked in months ago an...

PEIXE BR: Brazil Reaches 1M Ton Aquaculture Milestone Despite Tariff-Driven Export Headwinds

PEIXE BR, the Brazilian Association of Fish Farming, announced that Brazil's fish farming industry grew 58.6% in 2025, reaching a landmark 1 million tons of production. During that time, tilapia saw a notable 148.2% increase in production, cementing its top spot in the country.

The results stem from the 10th edition of the Brazilian Aquaculture Yearbook 2026, which was released on February 24.

“The results presented in this 10th edition demonstrate the strength and maturity of Brazilian fish farming...

Seafood Spotlight, Brand Revamps and Store Closures Signal Shifts in Foodservice

Over the past two weeks, significant developments have shaped the foodservice and grocery industries. In this recap, Expana has curated the stories that resonated most with our customers — from major policy initiatives and Lent promotions to product innovation and high-profile closures. Here are the key headlines from the latter half of the month.

National Restaurant Association Release Federal Policy Priorities

The National Restaurant Association released its federal policy priorities aimed at stabilizing the workforce, supporting employment growth, reducing operator costs...

Ninth Circuit Reopens Forced Labor Case Against Rubicon Resources

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a long‑running case against California‑based seafood distributor Rubicon Resources, reversing a district court decision that had shut down claims over alleged forced labor at Thai shrimp factories between 2010 and 2012. The ruling could lead to significant implications for US seafood companies sourcing from overseas.

In a Feb. 20 en banc decision, the appeals court held that a 2023 amendment to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, clarifying that defendants can be civilly liable if they attempt to benefit, even without...