ANALYSIS: Navigating Supply Challenges and Regulatory Pressures in the US Crab Meat Market

The US blue and red swimming crab meat market is confronting a complex and evolving set of challenges that are driving significant upward price pressures and operational uncertainties. Central to this turbulence is the imminent enforcement of NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) import rules, set to take effect January 1, 2026, alongside persistent steep tariffs on imported crab meat...

Florida Seafood Executive Indicted Over Alleged Stone Crab, Spiny Lobster Price-Fixing Conspiracy

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted Dennis Dopico, a Florida-based seafood executive, alleging that he participated in a conspiracy to fix the prices of stone crab claws and spiny lobsters, which involved multiple companies.

The DOJ alleged that Dopico “knowingly joined and participated in a conspiracy with other persons and entities, known and unknown to the US, to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing prices paid to fishermen for stone crab claws and spiny lobster harvested in Florida...

Target Good & Gather Burrito Bowls Recalled Due to Undeclared Shrimp

About 57,240 Good & Gather Southwest-Style Burrito Bowl Blend bags sold at Target nationwide are being recalled after shrimp was detected but not listed on the label, the FDA said in a Sept. 10 announcement.

One Frozen, LLC of Rochester, NY, voluntarily recalled certain lots of the Good & Gather brand product because they may have undeclared shrimp. In total, 57,240 consumer units were listed on the recall.

The impacted products were distributed through Target retail stores nationwide in all 50 states...

Russia Still Views Japan as Key Export Market Despite Tensions

Russia remains steadfast in considering Japan as one of its most promising seafood markets, despite current tensions between the two countries. 

Fish exports show positive dynamics this year. According to data from the Russian Fish Union, based on Japanese customs statistics, Russia's exports of fish and seafood to Japan increased by 9% in volume and by 2% in value terms from January to July. The supplies for the reporting period amounted to 72,000 tons and $521 million.

The best export dynamics...

Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, and More Added to List of Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners

As of September 5, products like coffee, cocoa, and tea (along with hundreds more) may be exempt from US reciprocal tariffs if a country’s leaders make a deal with the US trade team, according to a White House fact sheet that specifies exemptions for trading partners that make substantial, reciprocal commitments to mitigate the national emergency-inducing trade-deficit.

To date, market participants watched as deals with the European Union and Indonesia provided a vague mention towards exemptions for “natural resources” like EU cork...

Open Ocean Aquaculture Backers Rally on Capitol Hill to Urge Passage of MARA Act

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a group advocating for open ocean aquaculture in the US, began a two-day legislative fly-in on Capitol Hill on September 10.

SATS stated that seafood industry leaders and allies met with members of Congress and their staff to lobby for fish farming in federal waters.

"Federal legislation that supports open ocean aquaculture provides the US a chance to prove that we can sustainably produce more seafood in our own ocean waters," said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of SATS...

E-Commerce Drives Growth and Strategy for Private Brands in Food Retail

The Food Industry Association (FMI) released findings from its new report entitled, "The Power of Private Brands 2025: Industry Strategies to Sustain Momentum."

This report highlights the impact of e-commerce on the growth of private brands at food retailers and the tools businesses are using to boost sales and shopper loyalty.

According to the report, food retailers are increasingly recognizing the value of e-commerce and anticipate it may eventually outpace in-store purchases. It stated that sales of private brand...

Oregon Goes to Court Again to Protect Columbia Basin Salmon

Another lawsuit over Columbia River salmon? Must be a day that ends with a “y.” 

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced on Thursday that the state is resuming litigation against the federal government following its withdrawal from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement, which was brokered during the Biden administration. The federal government's decision abandons a collaborative plan developed with Oregon, Washington, four Lower Columbia Treaty Tribes, and conservation partners to restore salmon runs, honor treaty obligations, and meet clean energy needs...

Kaldvik Lands ASC Certification for Pair of Salmon Farms; All Farming Sites Now Certified

Kaldvik, an Icelandic salmon farmer, announced that it has achieved Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for two of its farming sites.

The company said the move confirms that its operations meet “the strict ASC requirements for social responsibility, animal welfare, and environmental protection.” The two additions bring the company’s ASC-certified sites total to seven.

“Achieving ASC certification for our final two sites is an important milestone,” said Sandra Eiðsdóttir, Quality Manager at Kaldvík. “ASC is about farming in a way that is good...

Binzer to Lead Royal Greenland as CEO; Board Cites Global Expertise and Local Insight

Royal Greenland has appointed Toke Binzer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 1.

Previously, Binzer held senior roles at IBM and TDC, as well as a director position at Tusass. The company said his previous experience gives him “the best qualifications to lead a global company like Royal Greenland.”

“The Board looks forward to the opportunities his experience and leadership style will bring,” Chairman of the Board Niels Thomsen said. “We share the ambitions of high professionalism...

ANALYSIS: YTD French Shrimp Imports Surpass Five-Year Averages

The French National Directorate of Foreign Trade Statistics has just published the latest import figures for July. France, the EU’s second-largest shrimp market after Spain, imported 10,704 metric tons of shrimp in July 2025, valued at 69.7 million euros. Both figures show a decline compared to July 2024—down 6.2% in volume and 11.2% in value. However, July stands out as the only month this year to register a year-on-year decrease in imported volumes; all other months have shown steady growth since January...

Mexico’s Baja Aqua-Farms Expands into Marine Ingredients with Acquisition of Baja Marine Foods

Baja California, Mexico-based Baja Aqua-Farms (BAF) announced it has acquired Baja Marine Foods (BMF).

BAF is a tuna farmer that produces sashimi-grade tuna products with a history dating back to the turn of the century. BMF was founded in 2010 and is also headquartered in Baja California, Mexico. BMF is a processor of locally caught pelagic species, with a plant capable of processing up to 450 tons per day and a pair of fishing vessels. It produces fishmeal, fish oil, and frozen seafood...

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...

Chile Supreme Court Upholds Ruling, Fines Caleta Bay Mar for False Salmon Harvest Information

Chile’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of its National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), ordering salmon farmer Caleta Bay Mar to pay a fine for providing false information about one of its harvests.

Sernapesca stated that irregularities were detected during its inspection process. It said the quantity of fish harvested didn’t match the amount reported at the time of stocking or the mortality rate recorded during harvest. Sernapesca reported the incident to the First Civil Court of Puerto Montt as a result. Sernapesca also noted that...

Larry’s Catch Expands Across Canada, Pushing MSC-Certified, Flash-Frozen Canadian Seafood

Larry’s Catch, a Canada-based seafood delivery and subscription company, said its services are now available across Canada.

The brand stated that it works exclusively with certified sustainable family fisheries. The company boasts its ability to offer an alternative to grocery store seafood with its wild-caught, flash-frozen Canadian seafood.

“Operating with intentional sourcing at the heart of its business, Larry's Catch partners directly with Canadian fishing families who have been on the water for generations,” the company wrote...

Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion

This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.

By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.

First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.

The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...

ANALYSIS: Strong YTD Frozen Tuna Imports Meet Escalating Trade and Compliance Challenges

Frozen tuna fillet imports from Vietnam and Indonesia reflect a nuanced market picture—short-term divergence layered atop strong year-to-date growth. In July 2025, Indonesia posted a modest 1.3% year-over-year gain, while Vietnam saw a sharper 12.9% decline. However, on a broader scale, import volumes tell a more bullish story: year-to-date, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. are up 30.8%, while Indonesia has climbed 15.2% over the same period. This aligns with the broader trend, as total imports from all countries are up...