Bakkafrost Reports Challenges in Scottish Operations as COVID-19 Continues to Play a Role

Faroe Island Salmon farmer Bakkafrost reported a total EBIT of DKK 88.5 million (USD 14.5 million) for the final quarter of 2020, down from an EBIT of DKK 415.3 million in Q4 2019.

Baakfrost noted struggles relating to the coronavirus pandemic including negative effects on the salmon market and challenges facing customers and international logistic issues.

The company’s CEO Regin Jacobsen commented on the impact COVID-19 had during the quarter:

“Especially the food service sector has been depressed while retail has developed strongly...

Kvarøy Arctic Donates Over 17,000 Pounds of Salmon to Rethink Food

Kvarøy Arctic is continuing to give back— this time to New York-based nonprofit organization Rethink Food. The company announced on Monday that they’ve become the first large-scale seafood donation partner for Rethink Foods, and have committed to donating monthly shipments of salmon to the nonprofit’s Commissary and Café throughout 2021.

As part of the monthly donation, Kvarøy Arctic plans on sending Rethink Foods 1-2 pallets of salmon, or roughly 1,500-2,000 pounds, which is equal to over 8,000 meals per week...

Lent 2021: Sluggish Start For Salmon, Tilapia Facing Supply Issues

Seafood is historically a popular item during Lent, but for the fresh farmed salmon complex, the start of Lent was a sluggish one. With severe weather greatly impacting demand throughout most of the country, both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday were not reported to be as busy as the market has seen in years past.  

Although at the end of this week the Canadian whole fish market is reporting some glimmers of hope in regard to improving demand, the Chilean fillet market adjusted lower throughout the week...

Alaska Fish Radio: State Aims to Change Water Regulations in Salmon Streams

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch.

The state of Alaska  wants to change the rulesthat regulate the use of water in salmon streams.  A mid- January Letter to Alaskans from the Dept. of Natural Resources says the changes are needed “to provide clarity and consistency in the Division of Mining, Land and Water’s processes. It also invites Alaskans to comment.

Lindsey Bloom is a campaign strategist for Salmon State based in Juneau. She agrees that the rules need more clarity...

Regal New Zealand King Salmon Beefs Up U.S. Sales Team

Regal New Zealand King Salmon expanded its U.S. sales team as it looks to get the most out of the growing demand for its premium smoked and roasted King Salmon products.

The company has hired Constance Wolfe as director of retail sales for North America, a new role for the company. Wolfe has helped grow popular natural and sustainable brands in the grocery channel, including several sold in the refrigerated case, she will focus on increasing Regal New Zealand King Salmon’s footprint in grocery stores.

“This is a great time for Regal to forge new relationships with retailers,” Wolfe says...

Kvarøy Arctic Partners With Pod Foods; First Frozen Seafood Company With New Grocery Supply Chain

Kvarøy Arctic is on the move. The Norwegian salmon company announced this week that they are the first frozen seafood company to partner with distribution and logistics platform Pod Foods. 

“It’s our goal to provide retailers with the best-of-the-best in each category and build a great catalog of choice,” said Pod Foods representative Tom Jacobson. “This is the first frozen seafood company we’re adding to the platform so it’s important to us that our category launch partner is one that...

The Winding Glass: U.S. Seafood Market Firing on All Cylinders Raising Global Market Share

All of us have been amazed at the strength exhibited by frozen food, and in particular frozen seafood during the pandemic.

Rather than the collapse of foodservice leading to less consumption, American consumers used money they saved by not eating out to increase their share of higher end retail seafood purchases.

This was dramatically evident in the retail demand for crab and lobster, and it has been reflected in pricing.

But another interesting thing is happening in the industry...

Valentine’s Day: Retail Demand a “Life Saver” for Lobster Market, But Not So Much For Others

It’s been a tough year for restaurants who have been dealt devastating blow after devastating blow by the coronavirus pandemic. And unfortunately they won’t see much relief this upcoming Valentine’s Day.

As SeafoodNews reported last year, the percent of people spending money on an evening out for Valentine’s Day has been on a slow decline since 2016. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), just 24% of people surveyed say that they will celebrate Valentine’s Day with...

Watch Us Eat! We Try Kvarøy Arctic's Salmon Hot Dogs and Burgers

On this episode of WATCH US EAT co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione are chowing down on Kvarøy Arctic's salmon hot dogs and burgers.

Kvarøy Arctic is a Norwegian salmon company that recently teamed up with Chef Andrew Zimmern to cook up some "Homegating" recipes for the Super Bowl. But you don't have to wait until next Super Bowl to try them. These easy-to-cook dogs and burgers are the perfect way to add more healthy omega-3 fatty acids to your diet...

Japan's Air Cargo Imports Fell Below 100 Billion Yen for The First Time

According to the December import customs statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, the quantity of marine products brought in by air freight, mainly high-end seafood, fell below the same month last year. A drop in the unit price resulted in a consecutive significant decrease in import value. The annual results saw the quantity reached less than 90% of the previous year, and the import value fell by 30% to below 100 billion yen ($.95 billion) for the first time...

Alaska Fishing Updates For February 2021

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch. Lots of February fishing – and Frankenfish heads to markets.

Freezing February weather doesn’t keep Alaskans off the fishing grounds from Southeast to Norton Sound.

In the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, boats are pulling in pollock, cod, flounders and other groundfish. 

Over three billion pounds of pollock will come out of the Bering Sea, another 250 million pounds from the Gulf.

Prince William Sound also has a winter pollock fishery underway that will produce nearly 5 million pounds...

Nutreco, Proximar Partner to Build Large-scale RAS Salmon Farm in Japan

Nutreco has invested in Norwegian land-based salmon farmer Proximar which plans to build a large-scale land-based Atlantic salmon farm near Mount Fuji, Japan.

The farm will use Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology and aims to meet the growing demand for salmon in Japan.

Nutreco CEO Rob Koremans commented, “Our investment in Proximar is perfectly aligned with our mission of Feeding the Future. Japan has a large market and demand for Atlantic salmon in addition to limited possibilities for sea-based production, placing a large dependency on imports from other countries and increasing the environmental cost...

Atlantic Sapphire Announces Plans to “Upsize” Phase 2 Expansion of Miami Bluehouse

After announcing the completion of Phase 1 of construction on their Miami Bluehouse facility earlier this month, Atlantic Sapphire now has plans to “upsize” its Phase 2 expansion. The company announced on Thursday that annual production and harvest volume of the combined Phase 1 and 2 will increase by approximately 18,500t RLW (15,000t HOG)  to 30,000t RLW (25,000t HOG). 

2020 was a big year for Atlantic Sapphire. Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought some complications, the Denmark-based company was able to complete construction on...

With Great Confidence in Chinese Market, Salmon Exporters Plan For More Direct Access to Consumers

Under the influence of coronavirus, salmon has encountered great challenges in the Chinese market. The country’s total import of frozen salmon is estimated to dive by about 50%. However, the market is too lucrative to be given up, and exporters still feel confident about their future there. Some have planned to invest more to revive demand there, while some have updated development plans to grab greater market shares.

The disease outbreak in early 2020 has forced quite a number of restaurants in China to...

The Winding Glass:  Supply Disruption a Possible Major Problem for Seafood Industry in 2021

Despite the pandemic and the uncontrolled COVID outbreak in the U.S., 2020 was a banner year for the seafood industry. The spectacular growth in retail seafood sales compensated for the dramatic loss of foodservice opportunities. According to data presented at NFI’s Global Seafood Marketing Conference, overall seafood sales to retail and foodservice combined grew around 7% last year.

This strength is continuing into 2021. Early indications from retailers suggest that the strength of seafood sales is continuing after the holidays. Many are reporting strong...

Regal New Zealand King Salmon Expands U.S. Distribution Across Midwest

Folks in the Midwest will now be able to get their hands on Regal New Zealand King Salmon’s award winning product. New Zealand King Salmon announced on Monday that they’ve expanded their U.S. distribution with the launch of their premium Regal Fresh King Salmon at all Fresh Thyme Market grocery stores across 10 Midwest states.

For those unfamiliar with the product, Regal New Zealand King Salmon is raised in the clean and cold waters of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds. The salmon is sustainably raised and certified kosher...

OSU, USFS Scientists use eDNA to Track Salmon, Trout Diversity

Have river water? Welcome to efficient salmonid genetic diversity testing.

New research by Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service scientist shows that DNA extracted from Oregon and Northern California rivers water samples can be used to estimate genetic diversity of Pacific salmon and trout. Their findings were recently published in the journal Molecular Ecology.

The findings also could influence conservation and management policies, the researchers said in a press release from Oregon State. A number of the species are listed as threatened or endangered under state or ...

Chilean Salmon Council Nets COVID-19 Safety Certification for Member Processing Plants

The partner companies of the Chilean Salmon Council (Consejo Del Salmon), announced they have been certified by the Chilean Security Association (ACHS), a group supporting the management plan in the prevention of COVID-19 infections.

AquaChile, Cermaq, Mowi and Salmones Aysén said they have “continued to reinforce their security measures to protect the health of company employees, as well as the communities where they are inserted by the complex context by the COVID-19 virus facing the country.”

Alaska Fish Radio: Alaska Salmon Faces Challenges From a Huge Forecast From Russia

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

Preliminary salmon forecasts indicate poor to average runs for most Alaska regions this year. The big exception once again is at Bristol Bay where another massive run of more than 51 million sockeyes are expected to return. That would produce a harvest of more than 36 million reds to fishermen.

Those fish and all of Alaska’s wild salmon compete in a tough global market, notably from Russia, and this year will be no exception...

Mowi Hits All-Time High Volumes as Earnings Take a Dip Amid COVID-19 Lockdowns

Mowi reported an operational EBIT of EUR 49 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a EUR 117 million dip from the same quarter in 2019. The company said its results were “significantly impacted by Covid-19 and extensive lockdown measures, together with seasonal high supply.”

Despite the earnings drop, Mowi achieved its all-time high volumes across all divisions for the year. The world’s leading salmon farmer by volume harvested 440 000 tonnes of salmon, selling 240 000 tonnes of value-added products, and producing 540 000 tonnes of feed...

Norway Royal Salmon Earnings Take a Hit in Q4; Hopes Remain High for 2021

Salmon farmer Norway Royal Salmon (NRS) reported lower earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020 but as it looks forward to 2021 the company expects an improved market situation and a 31% increase in harvest volume.

NRS reported an operational EBIT of MNOK 17 (USD 2 million) in Q4 and an EBIT per kg of NOK 5.05, figures in Q4 in 2019 were MNOK 136 and NOK 17.71, respectively. For the financial year of 2020, NRS has operating revenues of NOK 5.1 billion and achieved an operational EBIT of MNOK 246...

VIDEO: Valentine’s Spending Decline; Retail Saves Lobster; Salmon Struggling; EU Shrimp Subdued

This week SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione take a look at Valentine's Day spending for 2021. Plus, find out how retail is saving lobster this Valentine's Day; salmon's struggle; and how EU shrimp remains subdued. 

This episode was brought to you by Urner Barry's new Insights offering, which is coming this March. This largely digital offering will allow subscribers to read, watch and listen to impactful market content in a new way like never before...

Grieg Seafood Reports Losses in Q4; Wrapping Up a “Challenging Year”

Grieg Seafood released its Q4 financial results for 2020 in what the group’s CEO Andreas Kvame described as a “challenging year.”

The company reported negative earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of NOK 17 million (USD 2,000,000). Compared to 2019, it was a loss of NOK 107 million due to disrupted markets with low spot prices hitting earnings.

The average spot salmon price (NQSALMON, weekly average less distributor margin) for Q4 2020 was NOK 43.2 per kg, down by NOK 13.4 per kg compared to Q4 2019...

Ocean Beauty Seafoods Recalls Publix Brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets

Ocean Beauty Seafoods issued a recall of 8450 packages of Publix brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon 12-ounce Fillets. The recall was initiated because the products may contain undeclared soy due to mis-packaging.

The affected Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets retail box bears the code date “Best Before/Use By date 021122”, and the affected Teriyaki sauced product is observed through a clear inner vacuum package inside the retail box. Find images of the product here...

Bumble Bee Earns 'Favorite Fish Brand' Nod in Allrecipes Community Choice Awards 2021

Tuna and salmon products from Bumble Bee Seafoods was the winner in the Favorite Fish Brand category in the Allrecipes Community Choice Awards 2021.

Allrecipes is a media brand under Meredith Corporation and is comprised of a large community of online cools. The platform “helps home cooks around the globe discover and share the joy of cooking through community-driven content.”

This is the first year for the Community Choice Awards and the community was tasked to identify their top favorite brands in 58 pantry-product categories via an online survey conducted in the Spring of 2020...

Super Bowl Snack Ideas: The Best Seafood Appetizers To Eat During The Game

Super Bowl LV is this Sunday, February 7, and will find the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 186.6 million adults in the U.S. plan on tuning in to the big game. And although Super Bowl party celebrations will be looking a little different due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there still needs to be snacks out! NRF reports that 86% of viewers are planning to make purchases to mark the occasion...

4 Communes in Chile’s Los Lagos Region Reenter Lockdown Less Than 2 Weeks Before Valentine’s Day

Chile’s Ministry of Health announced on Monday that four communes in the Los Lagos region will be reentering quarantine beginning Thursday, February 4. The areas impacted include Quinchao, Curaco de Vélez, Conchi and Quemchi.

As of Chile’s February 2 Coronavirus Report, there are over 734,00 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. There are a reported 3,138 new cases, 317 of which are located in the Los Lagos region.

Chile has introduced a Step by Step Plan, which is a “gradual strategy to face...

VIDEO: Alaska Plant COVID Update; Chile Plants Reopen; Clearwater Deal; Lobster Exports to China

Join SeafoodNews Weekly Video co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they talk about the latest COVID updates out of Alaska; Chile's salmon plants reopening; the Clearwater Seafoods deal; and the lobster market.

This video was brought to you by Urner Barry’s Reporter Magazine, which is out now.  The latest issue is packed with great stories, including a food trend forecast for 2021, a look at how restaurants have introduced new design concepts as a result of...

Cermaq-owned Salmon Smolt Facility Victim of Arson Attack in Chile

A Chilean salmon hatchery owned by Cermaq was the target of an arson attack on January 28, per local newspapers La Tercera.

The fire broke out at the Piscicultura Collín facility, located in Vilcún commune in the La Araucanía Region of the country. The facility is operated by Yadrán, a Cermaq subsidiary.

The Salmon Council, a union formed of salmon farmers AquaChile, Cermaq, Mowi and Salmones Aysén, released the following statement condemning the attack"

“The Salmon Council strongly rejects...

Orca Specialty Foods Recalls One Ocean Brand Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon Products

Orca Specialty Foods announced it is recalling its One Ocean brand Sliced Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The product was distributed in Alberta and possibly across Canada. No illnesses have been reported to the CFIA associated with the consumption of this product...