ANALYSIS: Fresh Imported Seafood Market Faces Crossroads Ahead of August 1 Tariff Deadline

As the August 1 tariff deadline draws closer, the fresh imported seafood sector is bracing for renewed disruption. Importers, buyers and distributors remain on edge amid uncertainty over how broadly the next round of tariffs will be applied. Countries not currently engaged in trade negotiations may continue to face a blanket 10% tariff, or potentially steeper rates. At the same time, a 50% tariff has already been announced on seafood imports from Brazil, a key supplier of fresh snapper, grouper and swordfish...

Clearwater Sells Macduff Processing Operations to Seafood Ecosse

Canadian seafood company Clearwater Seafoods has sold the land-based processing operations of Macduff Shellfish to Scotland’s Seafood Ecosse, returning the operations to Scottish ownership. Under a new strategic alliance, Clearwater will continue to operate the scallop fishing vessels that supply Macduff.

 The new strategic alliance will see Clearwater operate the scallop fishing vessels that exclusively supply the Macduff operations. Macduff is one of the largest wild-caught shellfish processors in Europe.

Macduff Shellfish said the move between the two firms will “enhance the value of Scottish seafood” and improve service to...

Japan: Farmed Coho Salmon Landings in Miyagi Reach 15,000 MT, Surpassing JPY 10 Billion in Value 

As of mid-July, the total landing volume of farmed coho salmon in Miyagi Prefecture for the 2025 season (March–July) has reached 14,900 metric tons — a 15% increase compared to the same time last year. This exceeds planned production by 3%. The total value stands at 12,403 million yen ($83.74 million), surpassing 10 billion yen ($67.51 million) for the first time in two years. 

The average unit price was 833 yen/kg ($5.62/kg), up...

US Coast Guard Responds to and Photographs Chinese Research Vessel off Alaska

Last Friday the US Coast Guard’s 17th District, now called the Arctic District, detected and responded to a China-flagged research ship Xuelong-2 (Snow Dragon 2) about 334 miles north of Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northern most community on the Beaufort Sea. Utqiagvik was formerly known as Barrow. 

A Coast Guard C-130J Hercules, a long-range surveillance aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, flew over the Chinese icebreaker, noting its position as 150 miles inside the Extended Continental Shelf (ECS).  

“The U.S. Coast Guard, alongside partners and other agencies...

Latest ISSF Report Highlights Industry Progress in Tuna Sustainability 

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) has released its latest Annual Conservation Measures & ProActive Vessel Register Compliance Report, showcasing strong industry progress among members when it comes to tuna sustainability. 

For the 2024 audit period, 24 participating companies achieved a 99.6% conformance rate across 33 ISSF conservation measures. These include several key practices, including traceability, bycatch mitigation, and the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This result represents a slight increase from the 99.1% conformance rate reported in November 2024. 

The report also includes the first...

Ex-Ready Seafood Execs Push Back Against Lawsuit, Deny Stealing Trade Secrets

Two former Ready Seafood executives are firing back at their old employer’s lawsuit, denying in newly filed court papers that they stole trade secrets or poached customers to launch their competing company, Packers Pride USA.

In a motion filed on July 24, Andrew Daughan and Robert Kragh, and their company, opposed the temporary and preliminary restraining order that was filed by Ready Seafood earlier this month, as Expana’s Seafoodnews reported last week. The restraining order would halt Packers Pride from soliciting Ready’s customers in the coming years...

Premium Salmon Producer Varlaks Enters France with Carrefour Partnership

Varlaks, a company producing premium salmon products under the Norwegian Seafood umbrella, announced that its products are on the shelves at major French retailer Carrefour.

The company announced that its Arctic-raised salmon has debuted at test stores in France, stating that the partnership “feels like the beginning of something that matters.”

“We’re proud to partner with a team that shares our focus on quality, freshness, and integrity. Together, we want to bring a new kind of seafood story to French consumers. A story that feels real,” the company wrote in...

Beaver Street Fisheries Partners with Dot Foods to Enhance Nationwide Seafood Distribution

Beaver Street Fisheries (BSF), a leading US seafood supplier, has announced a strategic partnership with Dot Foods, North America’s largest food industry redistributor, in a move designed to increase product access for customers and improve supply chain efficiency, especially for less-than-truckload shipments.

By partnering with Dot, BSF aims to streamline distribution, reduce logistical challenges, and better support its growing customer base, the company stated in a press release.

Dot Foods will enable BSF to expand its product reach and provide more consistent product availability...

FDA Issues Norovirus Advisory on Korean Frozen Oysters Sold in Five Western States

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory warning restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell certain frozen half-shell oysters from the Republic of Korea due to concerns about norovirus.

The advisory focused on food establishments and consumers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana and Utah that purchased frozen, raw, half-shell oysters with lot code: B250112, harvested from Designated Area No. 1 in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Jan. 12, 2025, and processed by JBR KR-15-SP in Tongyeong-si, ROK...

Indian Seafood Producer Applauds UK Trade Pact, Foresees Export Surge for Shrimp

Indian seafood firm Kings Infra applauded the recent trade deal between India and the United Kingdom as it will lead to duty-free access for India’s seafood exports to the UK.

The company said the move will benefit exporters and boost trade volumes. Kings Infra pointed out that frozen fish ands shrimp products, processed seafood and fishmeal and fish-based ingredients will all benefit from the increased market access to the UK.

“This FTA is a landmark moment for Indian aquaculture. Duty-free access...

Alaska Sea Grant Funds New Workforce Programs for Seafood Industry

New funding to support five new and continuing workforce development programs for seafood harvesters and processors was announced recently, as part of the state’s Technical and Vocational Education Program (TVEP). 

The projects include three Alaska Seafood School programs focused on food and processing regulations and safety, automated processing and refrigeration equipment, and processing plant management. 

Two TVEP-funded projects support commercial seafood harvesters. The Skipper Apprentice program in Bristol Bay provides training and mentorship for new crew, while an innovative “Scaled Seafood” project provides fisheries business training...

Oregon Recruiting for Seafood Commodity Commissions

Have a penchant for helping improve Oregon’s fisheries? Serving on a state seafood commodity commission may fulfill that desire. 

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants to fill positions on three commercial fisheries commissions. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15, 2025. 

The Director of the ODA appoints commissioners. Once selected, commissioners serve as public officials, typically serving three-year terms. Each year, commissioners develop and approve a budget using their commodity's assessments (and other funds that may be available) for projects including non-branded promotion, research and education. Commissioners...

US-EU Trade Announcement: Markets Open to American Food and Beverage Producers

As of July 27, the United States and the European Union reached a trade agreement: The US will charge a 15% tariff on all imports across-the-board (including sector-specific rates like those on autos) from the coalition of countries, according to a joint announcement between US President Trump and European Commission President von der Leyen. 

The trade deal will contain agreements whereby the EU will purchase $750 billion in energy from the US, invest an additional $600 billion into the US, open markets to...

GAPP to Unveil Wild Alaska Pollock Industry’s Second Life Cycle Assessment Results at 2025 Meeting  

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) has announced that findings from the Wild Alaska Pollock industry’s second Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be revealed at its seventh annual meeting, scheduled for September 18, 2025.  

The study analyzes the industry’s environmental footprint across several key categories, including land and water resources, global warming potential, and energy use. 

“Our consumer research continues to show that sustainable protein continues to elevate in importance for food purchasing decisions,” said GAPP CEO Craig Morris. “As we...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #19 

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #19."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text.

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Handy Seafood Names Doug Santschi Chief Commercial Officer 

Handy Seafood has appointed Doug Santschi as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective immediately. 

With more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, Santschi will oversee the Maryland-based company’s core business operations and lead growth and innovation initiatives.  

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Doug Santschi to our leadership team," said Todd Conway, CEO of Handy Seafood. " Doug Santschi's impressive track record of operational excellence and strategic leadership at large public corporations and in private equity turnarounds makes him the ideal person to guide our...

North Coast Seafoods Teams Up with Sysco to Launch Seaweed Kelp Balls 

Boston-based North Coast Seafoods has joined forces with Sysco Corporation to launch its Seaweed Kelp Balls. The product is featured in Sysco’s Summer 2025 Cutting Edge Solutions (CES) Program, which showcases innovative additions to the food industry.  

North Coast Seafoods says it sources kelp domestically to help strengthen local coastal economies and support fishing families across the U.S.  

The Seaweed Kelp Balls earned their place in the CES lineup as the world’s only plant-based product of their kind. Made from...