ANALYSIS: Unprecedented Surge in Shrimp Imports Signals Market Imbalance Risk

In the news today, the US shrimp market remains in flux as April import estimates reveal substantial year-over-year growth, potentially creating inventory imbalances similar to those experienced in 2022. Continue reading this analysis by Angel Rubio here. 

Next, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata announced the bipartisan passage in the US House of her bill, H.R. 531, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act, which was co-sponsored with Rep. Ed Case. The legislation enables full US implementation of the updated...

ANALYSIS: Q1 Frozen Tuna Imports Climb While Prices Defy Upward Trend

Total frozen yellowfin tuna imports in Q1 2025 climbed to 22.62 million pounds, a 33.6% increase over Q1 2024 and 12.96% above the five-year Q1 average. Importers accelerated shipments ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement, continuing a pattern of precautionary buying shaped by President Trump’s tariff-focused trade policies since his first day in office. The move reflects persistent uncertainty surrounding future tariff actions and their potential to disrupt supply chains, driving buyers to secure inventory before costs or availability are further impacted...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #8

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 #8."

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...

Today’s Top Story: Statement from DMR Commissioner Wilson Regarding Lobster Industry Survey

In our top story today, Commissioner Carl Wilson of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) addresses the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) decision to repeal the lobster gauge and vent size changes originally adopted in Addendum XXVII. With the gauge increase now repealed, Wilson says it is critical for Maine to develop a path forward that is informed by industry insight, observation, and vision for the future...

Seafood Expo Global 2025: Seafood Excellence Global Awards Announced

The 2025 Seafood Excellence Global awards were announced yesterday evening during a reception in the Galleria of Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue at the 31st Seafood Expo Global (SEG), with finalists representing 15 different countries worldwide.

Of the 40 finalists that were selected this year, nine products were selected as finalists for Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product, and 31 products were selected as finalists for Best Retail Product. Products were evaluated based on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation...

Today’s Top Story: Fisheries Council of Canada Congratulates Newly Elected Prime Minister Mark Carney

In our top story today, the Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) recently released a statement congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada on their re-election. The election, which took place on April 28, saw the Liberal Party secure 168 parliamentary seats while the Conservative Party secured 144, thus giving the Liberals enough seats to form a majority government and put Carney officially in office as Canada’s new PM...

Today’s Top Story: Canadians Focused on Economy in Today’s Federal Election; Stakes High in Seafood Industry

In our top story today, we report on Canada’s federal election, which will end tonight with final ballots cast no later than 7 p.m. local time in British Columbia. This comes after a month-long campaign marked by a rare flip in the polls, as voters reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘retaliatory’ tariff policy against Canadian goods and a threat to annex the nation as the 51st state. The election results will also determine Canada’s next Fisheries Minister...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #6

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 #6."

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...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

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 #5."

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...

Exclusive International Trade Centre Interview: Implications of Trump’s Tariff Regime

Julia Spies is the Chief of Trade and Market Intelligence for the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Switzerland. Spies and team analyze trade information and publish findings about market-specific trade intelligence on multiple online platforms, like Tradebriefs.intracen.org.

Recent shifts in the world of trade, including the latest round of United States tariffs and trade measures by other countries, has kept Spies and company busy, to say the least.

However, ITC members have watched trade measures, and in particular their impact on developing countries, long before these recent changes...

Today’s Top Story: Sec. Lutnick Taps Eugenio Piñeiro-Soler as Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries

In our top story today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—currently the parent department for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), or NOAA Fisheries—has named Eugenio Piñeiro-Soler as the Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries, effective immediately. Piñeiro-Soler takes the reins of the agency tasked with overseeing the nation’s marine fisheries and conservation work, which comes only a few weeks after several hundred fishery researchers and managers lost their jobs due to the recent decisions of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #4

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 #4."

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...

Southern Shrimp Alliance Responds to “The Pause”

The Trump Administration announced a 90-day pause on shrimp and other tariffs, dropping the effective rate to 10% to allow for negotiations on trade, trade barriers, tariffs, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance responds:

“It is encouraging that the Trump Administration’s tariffs have prompted countries to show a new willingness to address trade policies disadvantaging American producers. We want to compete in a market where competitors cannot use intolerable practices like forced labor and banned antibiotics to undercut us,” said John Williams, executive director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance...

Russia is Increasing its Shrimp Catch This Year

This year, Russia is increasing its shrimp catch, thanks to an ever-growing demand for the shellfish species both globally and domestically.

According to latest data from the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries, Russia’s volume of shrimp catch during the period of January-March 2025 amounted to 5,400 tons, which is 29% more than the same period last year. In 2024, the total volume of catch grew by 24%, amounting to 27,000 tonnes.

At the same time, according to data of the Russian Fish Union, shrimp imports to Russia in 2024 also increased...

ANALYSIS: Latest US Tariffs Place 54% on Groundfish Imports from China

In our top story today, Vivian Rosenbaum-Cottier analyzes the Chinese groundfish market in the face of 54% U.S. tariffs. She explains how certain imported groundfish species may be subject to further tariffs, which will be announced by early summer. While cod and pollock are currently exempt from Section 301 Process tariffs, haddock and flounder are merely excluded from it. This exclusion is set to expire on May 31 of this year. Consequently, haddock and flounder imported from China into the U.S. may be subject to additional tariffs by June 1, compounding the current tariff levels and rising to 79%...

ANALYSIS: Blue and Red Swimming Crab Meat Market and Tariff Implications

Announcements from President Trump on universal tariffs starting April 5 at 10% and reciprocal tariffs beginning on April 9, 2025, could deeply affect both the red and blue swimming crab meat industries. Looking at the producing countries, most are in Southeast Asia, which got hit the hardest by the reciprocal tariffs. Observing the pie chart below, the only country with no tariff on this list is Mexico. Indonesia, who holds almost 50% market share has a 32% tariff on goods...

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: Balancing Growth Opportunities Against Inventory Risks for US Shrimp Imports

Total Imports by Country: Strong Growth Continues

Total shrimp imports in March 2025 reached 154.4 million lbs, a robust 10.7% increase year-over-year, surpassing our estimate range of 151.6-172.9 million lbs. This growth appears to be significantly impacted by importers frontloading ahead of the April 2nd tariff announcement. Indonesia showed the most dramatic growth at +32.0% to 27.7 million lbs, while India maintained its market leadership position with 55.0 million lbs (+7.0%). Thailand's volumes surged by 60.6% to 4.7 million lbs, though...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Salmon Market and Production Update

In our top story today, Boris Ampuero delves into the Chilean salmon market, citing that the average price for whole fresh Chilean Atlantic farmed salmon 4-5 kg in the U.S. market rose by 1.9% between March and April. However, despite the generally stable conditions, he explains how the Chilean salmon sector is currently facing instability due to a 10% tariff imposed on its products, which could potentially lower Free on Board (FOB) prices in Chile while increasing consumer prices in the U.S...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7

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 #7."

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...

Japan’s March Seafood Exports Surged 63% in Quantity and 48% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, Japan’s marine product exports (including fishmeal and fish and shellfish products) for March increased 63% in quantity compared to the same month last year, amounting to 57,522 tons. Imports also increased 48% in value to 33,080 million yen ($231.68 million).

While the volume of frozen scallops (combined shucked and with shells) decreased, the value increased. Meanwhile, frozen yellowtail fillets increased in both quantity and value.

Minato Shimbun highlighted key marine products that are important for Japan’s exports...

Russia Reduces its Output of Fish Products This Year

This year, Russia has reduced its production of fish products, mainly due to unfavorable weather conditions, which have led to a decline in pollock catch, the most important fish in the country’s overall fish catch structure.

According to data from the Russian Fish Union’s Analytical Center, the production of Russian fish products in Q1 2025 amounted to 1.16 million tons, which is 3% lower on year-on-year basis. Of these products, frozen fish products decreased by 4%, amounting to 722,000 tons. At the same time, the production of frozen fish...

Japan: Salmon and Trout Imports in February Fell by 25%, Reflecting a Decrease in Coho

According to trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Japan’s total salmon and trout imports in February (including salted, smoked, and prepared products) were 22,137 tons, down 25% from the same month last year, and the CIF import value was 30,039 million yen ($211.25 million), down 10%. The quantity of fillets (fresh, frozen, salted, and dried) was down 7% to 6,491 tons, and those other than fillets were down 31% to 15,645 tons.

Minato Shimbun reported that the main factor behind the decrease in...

Russia Increases 2025 Seafood Exports to South Korea

This year, Russia is increasing its fish exports to South Korea, reaching record figures compared to the last two years, according to Russian media reports and recent data from the South Korean statistics agency.

In March, Russia exported 31,400 tons of fish and seafood to South Korea, which became one of the highest figures in the last several years and showed a 30% increase compared to February 2025.

The bulk of supplies accounted for frozen fish (26,100 tons), fish fillets (2,700 tons) and crab (2,000 tons).

Currently, Russia remains the second main...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #5

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 #5."

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...

ANALYSIS: Tariffs and Tight Supply Lead to a Season of Strain for the Global Mahi Market

The global mahi market is entering a renewed period of uncertainty following the Trump administration’s latest tariff adjustments. While a 10% blanket duty remains in place, countries previously subject to higher rates—such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and Indonesia—have been granted a 90-day pause, temporarily aligning them with the lower tariff and offering a window for negotiation with the White House. Ecuador and Peru, the two largest mahi-producing nations, continue under the 10% rate...

Vietnamese Livestock, Shrimp and Pepper Associations Seeks Trade Solutions with US

On April 10, Vietnam and the US agreed to start negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, hours after Washington delayed imposing a 46% tariff on Vietnamese exports.

However, agri-food business associations in Vietnam remain concerned about the future of imported US goods. US exports to Vietnam were valued at $13.1 billion in 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

The US is a key supplier of soybeans, corn, DDGS, and pig breeds to Vietnam. Vietnamese farms import roughly 250 grandparent pigs annually

Today’s Top Story: Could Russian Crab Return to US Shores?

In Les Hodges’ monthly newsletter, he reports on the possibility of Russian crab returning to the U.S. market, citing recent diplomatic talks between Russian and U.S. officials, which aimed to lay the groundwork for ending the war in Ukraine and normalizing bilateral relations. Among the meeting’s outcomes that Moscow released were the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative and renewed Russian access to global markets for agricultural products and fertilizers, as well as fish products currently restricted under food sanctions, such as red king crab and snow crab...

ANALYSIS: Evolving Supply Dynamics and Terminal Pricing in the Whole Fish Market

In our top story today, Janice Schreiber and Joshua Bickert analyze the evolving supply dynamic and pricing of the U.S. whole fish market. They explain how Canadian wholesale pricing and Mid-Atlantic terminal prices tend to follow similar trends, as terminal markets represent the next step in the supply chain following wholesale distribution. The relationship between terminal buyers and suppliers is especially evident during periods of steady harvest and consistent distribution, when values at both wholesale and terminal levels have moved in a relatively synchronized manner...

FDA Refuses Antibiotic-Contaminated Shrimp from Five Different Foreign Shrimp Exporters in March

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released detailed data regarding one hundred and nineteen (119) seafood entry line refusals in March, of which eight (6.7%) were for shrimp for reasons related to banned antibiotics.

Through the first quarter of 2025, the FDA has reported refusing just twelve total entry lines of shrimp for reasons related to veterinary drug residues. If this same level of refusals is maintained through the remainder of the calendar year, it will be the lowest total of such refusals since...