The Compression Phase: Alaska Reclaims Strength as Global Crab Markets Diverge

The global crab market is entering a more compressed and strategically uneven phase in 2026, where timing, access, and inventory positioning are becoming more important than production alone. Alaska has re-emerged as a major force in the premium frozen market following a third consecutive year of higher quotas, while Norway’s sharp reduction in king crab supply has materially tightened global availability of premium product. At the same time, Russia continues to consolidate its dominance in the live trade into Asia...

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Harvest Down YOY in March as Water Temperatures Rise

Norwegian Atlantic salmon harvest fell 4.6% year-over-year (YOY) in March 2026, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. The harvest level through March was 6.0% higher year-to-date (YTD). However, a continued seasonal decrease in biomass has developed, with the volume of Atlantic salmon 3.5% lower YOY (Figure 1). This current trend of lower YOY harvest in March and downward biomass trends does not seem to be of significant note to market participants, as the availability of salmon during April was reported as adequate...

Middle East Conflict Drives Surimi Price Hikes for 93% of Japanese Kamaboko Makers

According to a survey released on April 7th by the Japan Kamaboko Association, when member surimi product manufacturers were asked about the impact of the Middle East conflict on raw material procurement, 42 out of 45 companies (93%) responded that they had been asked to raise prices for frozen surimi sourced from Southeast Asia and other overseas regions, excluding Alaska pollock. 

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, a major oil-producing region, is spreading to the...

Fishing and Farm Groups Voice Concerns Over New USDA Seafood Office Direction

Two advocacy organizations representing small-scale food producers are raising red flags about the newly launched USDA Office of Seafood, warning that without proper safeguards, the office could serve corporate interests rather than fishing communities.

The North American Marine Alliance (NAMA) and National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) released a joint statement welcoming the inclusion of fishing communities in USDA programs but expressing serious concerns about the office's potential direction. The groups worry the office could replicate what they see as USDA's historical pattern...

Russia Eyes Busan as Distribution Hub for Southeast Asian Fish Exports

Russia plans to use the South Korean port of Busan as a hub for distributing Russian fish products to Southeast Asia as well as supplying fish directly to the South Korean market.

These plans were recently confirmed by German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fishery Producers (VARPE).

According to Zverev, Russian fish exports to South Korea increased 5% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching US$1 billion. However, South Korean customs statistics show that not all products remain in the country...

Sustainable Tuna Becomes Mainstream on UK Supermarket Shelves, MSC Report Finds

Sustainable tuna is rapidly becoming the standard choice for UK shoppers, with nearly half of all supermarket tuna products now carrying the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel, according to new industry figures.

The MSC UK Tuna Shopper Report 2026 found that 49% of tuna products sold in UK supermarkets are MSC certified, a sharp rise from 18% in 2021. In volume terms, the shift is even larger, with 65% of all supermarket tuna sales now coming from MSC labelled products.

The report, released ahead...

Samjin Frozen Fish Cake Recalled Nationwide in Canada Over Undeclared Allergens

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a nationwide recall of Samjin brand Frozen Fish Cake (with Sauce & Shrimp) after CFIA testing found the product may contain egg, gluten and milk that are not declared on the label.

Although no allergic reactions have been reported, the product was distributed nationally. The CFIA advises consumers who are allergic or sensitive to egg or milk, or who have celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders, not to consume the product...

Applebee’s Brings Back All You Can Eat Menu Alongside New Don Julio ‘Poolio’ Margaritas

Applebee’s is bringing back its traffic-driving promotion disguised as abundance with the return of its All You Can Eat menu this summer.

The limited-time offer features Applebee’s signature Boneless Wings, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp, all served with bottomless fries for $15.99 when dining in.

“It’s a saucy, savory, All You Can Eat American summer at Applebee’s with the return of our fan-favorite All You Can Eat Boneless Wings, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp,” said Michelle Chin...

Alaska Halibut Fisherman Receives Fishing Ban, $15,000 Fine for Lacey Act Violations

Southeast Alaska halibut fisherman Vincent Jacobson, 52, was sentenced on Wednesday to five years’ probation, a $15,000 fine and a worldwide fishing and hunting ban during his probation for his part in a conspiracy to illegally harvest halibut with another commercial fisherman. That conspiracy violated the Lacey Act. 

Timothy Ross, 58, of Washington, pleaded guilty to one count of Lacey Act conspiracy on Sept. 8, 2025, and was sentenced to five years’ probation and a $15,000 fine on Dec. 10, 2025... 

Premium Brands Holdings Posts Record Q1 Results Despite Clearwater Seafoods Challenges

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation reported record first-quarter revenue of $2.1 billion, up 24.6% year-over-year, though its Clearwater Seafoods investment continued to face headwinds from asset divestitures and lower scallop catch rates.

The Vancouver-based specialty food company posted adjusted EBITDA of $171.2 million, a 26.7% increase, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.83, up 18.6% from the prior year. Premium Brands maintained its 2026 guidance ranges and reaffirmed its expectation to exceed its five-year sales targets of $10 billion...

Fishmeal Output Slides in Early 2026 as China Demand Signals Soften

Global fishmeal production started 2026 on a weak footing, with cumulative first‑quarter output down 28% year on year and March production alone falling 38%, according to IFFO‑compiled data. The figures reflect reports from member countries accounting for around 40% of global fishmeal output and half of fish oil production.

Fish oil production also declined, though less sharply. First‑quarter output was down 12% year on year, with relative resilience in Denmark/Norway and Spain helping to limit the overall...

Scottish Salmon Survival Rates Hit Record High in Q1 2026

Scottish salmon farming achieved record survival rates in the first quarter of 2026, with March posting the highest monthly performance since reporting began in 2018.

Salmon Scotland reported survival rates of 99.1% in March and 99.03% for the full first quarter, marking the strongest start to the year for the sector. The trade body attributed the improvements to more than £1 billion ($1.4 billion) invested since 2018 in veterinary care, technology, and stock management.

The strong performance supports...

FDA Issues Warning Letters to Three California Seafood Processors Over HACCP Violations

The FDA has issued warning letters to three California seafood processing facilities over serious violations of seafood HACCP regulations and sanitation standards, with one facility showing a history of Listeria contamination.

AAA International Seafood Corp. in Vernon fell short on basic food safety protocols during a March-April 2025 inspection, earning a November warning letter for HACCP plan deficiencies involving fresh tuna and salmon destined for raw consumption. Investigators found the company lacked adequate critical limits for pathogen control and failed to address undeclared allergens in...

Navy Will Commission New USS Ted Stevens Destroyer in Whittier but Homeport in Norfolk

The U.S. Navy will hold a commissioning ceremony for the future Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ted Stevens in Whittier, Alaska. Considered the “backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet”, there are 24 new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under order, with three launched: 

–USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127), launched on July 27, 2024, with an expected commissioning sometime in the spring of 2026. 

-USS Ted Stevens (DDG-128), launched on August 15, 2023. 

-USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG-129), launched on March 26, 2025...

NFI Urges USTR to Exempt Seafood from Section 301 Tariffs in Excess Capacity Investigation

The National Fisheries Institute pushed back against proposed tariffs during testimony before the US Trade Representative on May 5, arguing seafood should be excluded from the administration's Section 301 investigation into excess capacity.

NFI Executive Vice President Bob DeHaan told USTR that imposing "significant and perhaps prohibitive tariffs" on seafood would undermine the Agriculture Department's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend increased seafood consumption. He warned the tariffs would price "value seafood products" out of reach for American families and stoke consumer inflation...

Strong Kroner, Middle East War, US Tariffs Hit Norway's Seafood Exports in April

Norwegian seafood exports declined in April as a strong kroner, US tariffs, and the Middle East conflict all weighed on performance, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council's latest export update.

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.4 billion ($1.4 billion) in April, down NOK 742 million (5%) compared with April 2025. The decline stems mainly from the significant strengthening of the Norwegian krone, the council said in its May 6 update.

Norwegian Seafood Council CEO Christian Chramer said the Middle East war is having...

Thai Union Feed Mill Credits Their Shrimp Feed Business for Impressive Q1 2026 Report

Thai Union Feed Mill (TFM), a leading manufacturer and distributor of aquaculture and animal feed in Thailand, released its first quarter 2026 financial report on Monday, headlined by revenue of THB 1.325 billion (US$41 million) and net profit of THB 148 million (US$4.6 million) up nearly 12% from Q1 2025. The company maintained a net profit margin 11.1%. 

Growth was driven primarily by TFM’s core shrimp feed business, despite rising raw material prices, most notably fishmeal, which increased 30% year-on-year...

Expana's Weekly Top 10

Expana’s Weekly Top 10 this week highlights the crosscurrents shaping global food and beverage markets, from shifting trade policy and Middle East volatility to seasonal demand trends, corporate earnings and supply chain investment. The latest list spans key developments in meat exports, seafood, retail, foodservice, dairy and beverages, offering a quick look at the stories driving conversation across the industry. This list is in no particular order.

10. Australia has expanded meat export access to Indonesia, with five processing establishments newly approved to supply the market, including...

US Virgin Islands Seeks Federal Support for Aquaculture Development Through Farm Bill Amendment

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) has secured language in the House version of the Farm Bill directing USDA to conduct a comprehensive study identifying suitable aquaculture sites in the US Virgin Islands, marking a potential breakthrough for the territory's blue economy ambitions.

The amendment requires the US Department of Agriculture to complete the study within 180 days of enactment, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The assessment will evaluate water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable environmental and regulatory...

Conxemar Takes “Twice as Easy, Twice as Good” Campaign to 50+ Supermarkets Across Spain

Spain’s frozen seafood sector is giving its consumer campaign a bigger in‑store push this year. Conxemar, the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters and Processors of Fisheries and Aquaculture Products, is relaunching its “Twice as easy, twice as good” initiative in mid‑May, expanding it to more than 50 supermarkets nationwide.

A year after its debut, the campaign—fronted by comedian Leo Harlem—aims to raise awareness of the safety, quality and nutritional value of frozen seafood. For the...

Aurora and McLane to Launch Driverless Trucking Operations in Texas

Aurora Innovation and McLane Company are expanding their autonomous trucking partnership with plans to begin driverless freight operations in Texas.

The companies announced an agreement to launch driverless hauls using the Aurora Driver, an SAE Level 4 self-driving system built for long-haul trucking. McLane, one of the largest distributors in the US serving chain restaurants, convenience stores, and mass merchants, will use the technology to move supplies and perishable food more efficiently across the state.

The move builds on a supervised autonomy...

Conservation Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Northeast Canyons Monument Fishing Access

Three conservation groups and a naturalist filed a lawsuit on May 4 challenging the Trump administration's decision to reopen the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.

The Conservation Law Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, and naturalist Zack Klyver argue that allowing commercial fishing in the 4,900-square-mile monument off New England's coast would "inflict long-term damage to precious natural resources without meaningful economic benefits."

The plaintiffs contend Trump lacks legal authority to abolish or diminish national monuments established by...

North Pacific Fisheries Commission Addresses IUU, Bottom Fishing Among Regional Issues Last Month

Although the full report of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) has not been released from its April meeting, NOAA Fisheries has issued a press release about achievements there.  

Three primary topics addressed during their 10th NPFC annual meeting, which took place in Osaka, April 14-17, were IUU fishing, bottom trawls used in the Emperor Seamounts, and management of the commercial species in the Convention area. 

The United States does not have fishing vessels active under NPFC but shares objectives...

Mother’s Day Momentum Builds Across Foodservice

As May gets underway, the foodservice industry is turning its attention to the season’s next major occasion: Mother’s Day. At the same time, headlines are filling with first-quarter earnings, new menu launches and brand expansions. Below is a roundup of the latest stories shaping the foodservice sector in the last two weeks.

Mothers Day in focus

Pizza Hut is bringing back a fan favorite to drive traffic during lunch and dinner on the big day. Its heart-shaped pizzas are returning for a limited time, with advance online...

83% of Fast-Food Chains Are Invisible to AI Restaurant Recommendations, Uberall Finds

As AI assistants increasingly shape where people decide to eat, most quick-service restaurants are being left out of the conversation. That’s the core takeaway from a new Uberall report, Fast Food, Faster Discovery: The 2026 GEO Playbook for Multi-Location QSRs, which examines how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity surface restaurant recommendations — and why many multi-location brands aren’t making the cut.

Based on Uberall’s GEO Studio benchmark data and performance metrics from its global QSR customers, the report...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Imports Drop 19% in March as Product Mix and Origin Shifts Reshape Market

March US shrimp imports totaled 124.8 million pounds, landing within our forecasted range of 122.4–132.1 million pounds and toward the lower end as anticipated. The result marks a 19% decline from the same period last year, as structural changes in both product-form preferences and origin composition continue to reshape the market. The monthly results underscore the persistent impact of tariff pressures and supply-chain disruptions on import flows since mid-2025.

March performance across product categories reflected the ongoing rebalancing...

Cousins Maine Lobster Debuts Fried Seafood Concept

Cousins Maine Lobster is expanding its brand with a new concept, Cousins Fried Seafood, which is scheduled to make its debut at a Grand Opening on Saturday, May 16 between 11 AM to 7 PM, at McMahan Plaza (3039 Breckenridge Lane in Louisville, Kentucky).

Co-founder Jim Tselikis described the new venture as "incredibly personal" and tied it to memories and flavors that helped shape the menu.

"We've built a strong foundation with Cousins Maine Lobster, and this is the...

Nueva Pescanova Raises €283M to Fund Growth as 2025 Profits Jump

Vigo, Spain-headquartered Nueva Pescanova announced a €283 million ($332 million) capital increase to fund growth projects, following strong financial performance in 2025 and early 2026.

ABANCA, the seafood group's primary shareholder, will subscribe €279 million of the capital increase, while minority shareholders can participate through cash contributions.

Nueva Pescanova closed 2025 with a net profit of €1.1 million, EBITDA of €71.2 million (up 56.5% year-over-year), and turnover of €1.054 billion (up 7.3%). The company said this momentum has continued...

Genova Premium Tuna Launches Mediterranean Tuna Bowls

Genova Premium Tuna is expanding its convenient seafood portfolio with the launch of Mediterranean Tuna Bowls, a new high-protein, grab-and-go offering aimed at consumers looking for quick meal and snack options.

The new line includes two varieties — Lentil & Grain and Bean Salad — each made with wild-caught, MSC-certified tuna and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. The bowls contain 25 grams and 24 grams of protein, respectively, and are positioned around whole grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, healthy fats and fiber.

The launch is timed to...