NaturalShrimp Hires Seafood Industry Veteran Marco Van Den Berg to Lead Sales and Marketing

U.S.-based RAS shrimp farmer NatrualShrimp appointed Marco Van Den Berg to lead the Company's sales and marketing activities in North America.

To begin, Van Den Berg will work in a consulting role before transition into the Vice President of Sales position.

Van Den Berg brings over two decades of sales, marketing and management expertise to NaturalShrimp. In the past, he has worked in the seafood sector with listed multinationals and private equity-backed companies in all stages of growth, including several successful mergers and acquisitions...

Piscaria Shrimp Farms Hires New CTO, Advisor

The team at Piscaria Shrimp Farms in South Carolina is expanding. The company announced on Tuesday that they’ve hired Rick Sheriff to serve as their new Chief Technology Officer, and Dr. Joan Priestley to serve as an advisor.

Sheriff holds a shrimp tank patent and has over 30 years of experience in the aquaculture industry. Piscaria Shrimp Farms CEO Richard L. Armstrong said in a statement that Sheriff’s mechanical technical support has been “crucial in all aspects of making Piscaria a success.”

Meanwhile, Armstrong credits...

JAPAN: May Seafood Imports, Exports Up In Value, Down In Volume

According to the May customs statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on June 29, imports of marine products (including non-edibles) have picked up slightly even though they are less than last month. The value increased significantly as unit prices continued to rise. Suisan Keizai reports that due to rising international prices and the Japanese yen depreciation, procurement costs are likely to be high.

Imports in May were 177,551 tons; 120,246.02 million yen ($1,091.94 million), which is a decrease of 2.4% from...

Alaska Fishing Updates for July 2021

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

July brings lots of fishing updates from Southeast Alaska to the Bering Sea.

The biggest fish story so far is at Bristol Bay where hauls of sockeye salmon neared two million fish on each of two days last week. The Bay’s red salmon catch so far is at nearly 12 million fish.

We’ll update more Alaska salmon catches tomorrow. 

In other fisheries: Catches for Dungeness crabbers in Southeast were going slow so far for 163 boats, but prices of $4.20 a pound are more than...

ANALYSIS: Vietnam Shrimp Exports Continue to Flourish

Vietnam's shrimp farming industry has witnessed accelerated growth in recent years, partly driven by government plans to boost exports from $3.85bn in 2020 to $10bn by 2025.

While COVID-19 bottlenecks continue to influence trade, major strides such as the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) have offset economic headwinds by boosting exports to the European continent. Value-added shrimp exports increased by 16% over the first five months of this year according to Ca Mau province’s Department of Industry and Trade...

CDC Says Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Frozen Shrimp; Avanti Frozen Foods Issues Recall

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said a salmonella outbreak has been linked to frozen cooked shrimp.

The June 25 update from the CDC noted that six illnesses and two hospitalizations have been linked to the outbreak in Arizona and Nevada. The illnesses began on dates ranging from February 26, 2021 to April 25, 2021. An investigation by the CDC is ongoing.

Following the CDC notice, Avanti Frozen Foods issued a recall of frozen cooked shrimp. Brands included in the recall...

Gulf Shrimp Landings in 2021 Slightly Up, But SSA Notes Anomalies in Data Collection

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) reports that 19.1 million pounds of shrimp were landed across the Gulf of Mexico through the first five months of 2021, up from 17.0 million pounds over the same time period in the last two years. However, landings of shrimp in the Gulf this year have been 23 percent below the nineteen-year historical average of 24.9 million pounds, SSA notes.

Landings data are reported monthly from the Fishery Monitoring Branch of NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center. The Alliance provides...

China’s White Shrimp Market Suffers From Disease During Dragon Boat Festival Holiday Shopping Frenzy

Seafood prices usually increase in China during holidays. But the white shrimp market seems to be an exception around this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Though there is slight increase in a few regions, shrimp prices are mostly stable and even contracted in some.

In the Guangdong province of southern China, for example, many markets are trapped in depression. One main reason for this is COVID-19, said one insider from Zhongshan city. Quite a few restaurants have been closed temporarily during the pandemic, which has...

FFAW, ASP Submit Summer Shrimp Prices to Standing Fish Price Setting Panel

The Standing Fish Price Setting Panel is holding a hearing today regarding the summer price for shrimp.

FFAW said in an update that negotiations regarding the price were held this week, but that after three days they remained too far apart from the Association of Seafood Producers’ (ASP) offer. The two organizations ultimately submitted their prices to the Standing Fish Price Panel. FFAW submitted a price of $1.22 per pound, which they say “accurately reflects the current...

PODCAST: April 2021 Shrimp Imports; Haddock Market Update; Former NOAA Head's New Job

Join SeafoodNews Podcast co-hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they talk about April 2021 shrimp imports; what's going on in the haddock market; and former NOAA head Chris Oliver's new job at American Seafoods.

This episode is brought to you by Urner Barry Consulting. Urner Barry Consulting provides tailored solutions to identify growth opportunities within the fast-paced protein commodity sectors. Combining the expertise of our analytical team, our warehouse of proprietary and trusted data, and unparalleled insight into market forecasting...

ANALYSIS: Ecuador Shrimp Producers Appear Committed to Value Adding

The growth in the category in recent years is not going unnoticed. Shipments of peeled shrimp from Ecuador to the U.S. were up 12 percent in 2018, 16 percent in 2019, and 51 percent in 2020. In this short time, the volume has nearly doubled—going from 52 to 101 million pounds.

More recently, in just the first quarter of 2021, shipments of peeled shrimp from Ecuador to the U.S. surged 88 percent. While India is still the dominant supplier— shipping 55 percent of all...

CFIA: Pair of Companies Recall Black Tiger Shrimp Due to Undeclared Sulphites

Two companies have recalled Black Tiger shrimp products from the marketplace due to undeclared sulphites, per notices from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The first recall was initiated by Midland Food Products on June 1. Midland recalled its Triple Crown brand Black Tiger Shrimp which was distributed in Ontario, Canada through hotel, restaurant, institutional and retail channels.

The product description was “Frozen black tiger shrimp raw E-Z peel headless shell-on, 26/30.

Searay Foods Inc. followed with a recall of its Searay...

USTR Announces and Suspends 25% Tariffs on Certain Seafood Items From India, Italy and Spain

On Wednesday United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the conclusion of the one-year Section 301 investigations of Digital Service Taxes (DSTs) adopted by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

An investigation into DSTs was initiated by the USTR on June 2, 2020. According to the USTR, the final determination of the investigation is to impose additional tariffs on certain goods from those countries, but suspend the tariffs for up to 180 days...

Georgia Shrimp Season to Open June 8; Oyster Season Closed Until Fall

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the state’s shrimp season will begin on June 8 at 8 a.m.

The DNR Commissioner Mark Williams signed an administrative order setting the opening date after the DNR’s Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and an advisory panel comprised of commercial and recreational shrimpers, independent scientists, and other stakeholder’s recommendations.

"Data collected by CRD indicate strong numbers of shrimp in coastal waters, with catches averaging well above long-term averages,” said Eddie Leonard, a CRD marine biologist who monitors shrimp populations...

This Year Marks a New Beginning for Both Imported Warmwater and Coldwater Shrimp in Chinese Market

Under the influence of COVID-19, some shrimp last year encountered great challenges in the Chinese market, while others performed surprisingly well considering the great damage brought by the pandemic. As available statistics show, China’s warmwater shrimp imports contracted by 16% in 2020, while that of coldwater ones increased by around 16.4%.

During the past few years China has ranked first worldwide in view of importing coldwater shrimp, a large proportion of which are said to be northern prawns. Though its import value has...

Gulf Shrimp Landings Beat Historical Averages Through April 2021, Reach Highest Mark in 4 Years

The latest shrimp landings data from the Gulf of Mexico from April showed that 2.3 million pounds of shrimp were landed in the Gulf of Mexico, up slightly from 2.2 million pounds in April of 2020. That mark is 15% below the historical average of 2.7 million pounds for the month.

When taking a look at the data from the Fishery Monitoring Branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center, through the first third of the year...

Vietnam COVID-19 Spike Hits Seafood Processors, Causes Problems at Ports 

Vietnam is the latest country to enact emergency restrictions following a new spike in COVID-19 cases. 

Vietnam has been reporting over 4,000 new cases daily since July 15. On July 18 the number of new reported cases reached a whopping 4,853. Now, all provinces in the Mekong Delta region are applying “Directive 16” of the Vietnam government to tackle the rising cases of COVID. Directive 16 mandates the closures of non-essential businesses and restaurants. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam...

NaturalShrimp Opens New Corporate Headquarters in Dallas, Texas

U.S. Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) shrimp producer NaturalShrimp has relocated its corporate headquarters to a new Dallas, Texas office as it continues to grow the business.

The new location will provide additional office space for employee expansion as well as a test kitchen to help boost sales and marketing efforts and a dining area.

NaturalShrimp chef Douwe Iedema is set to create menus and recipes onsite to demonstrate the best qualities of the shrimp.

The company said employees at the location will perform vital functions in areas such as operations, information technology...

Market Trends to Watch Ahead of Independence Day

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. In this Market Briefing, Urner Barry reporters outline the latest action in the commodity protein markets, highlighting seasonal factors, disruptors, and current supply and demand fundamentals.

Access the latest UB Market Briefing HERE.  

ANALYSIS: Coldwater Shrimp Prices Supported Despite Market Uncertainty

Following an aggressive rollout of vaccines, suppliers of Pandalus Borealis have noticed a gradual uptick in demand.   

With eased lockdowns and summer terraces across the European continent opening, market participants have seen offers firm, particularly for smaller sized shrimp going to industrial hand peelers.  

While a sense of optimism is noted on market calls, processor margins remain squeezed against the backdrop of inflationary operating costs.   

While spot trades for cooked and peeled product going into the UK are also on the up...

Standing Fish Price Setting Panel Sides With ASP on Summer Shrimp

A decision regarding the price of summer shrimp has been set. On Wednesday the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel announced that they selected the position of the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP). 

As SeafoodNews reported last week, the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel held a hearing after FFAW and ASP failed to agree on a price. The two organizations ultimately submitted their prices to the Panel to make a decision. FFAW submitted a price of $1.22 per pound, which they said “accurately reflects the current market...

China’s White Shrimp Market Suffers From Disease During Dragon Boat Festival Holiday Shopping Frenzy

Seafood prices usually increase in China during holidays. But the white shrimp market seems to be an exception around this year’s Dragon Boat Festival. Though there is slight increase in a few regions, shrimp prices are mostly stable and even contracted in some.

In the Guangdong province of southern China, for example, many markets are trapped in depression. One main reason for this is COVID-19, said one insider from Zhongshan city. Quite a few restaurants have been closed temporarily during the pandemic, which has...

Gulf of St. Lawrence Shrimp Fishery Opens Before Standing Fish Price Setting Panel Decision Made

The Gulf of St. Lawrence shrimp fishery is officially open—but no price has been set.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada opened up the shrimp fishery in the Gulf (SFA 8) for the Western NL fleet at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 19. 

As SeafoodNews previously reported, the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel held a hearing last Thursday regarding the summer price for shrimp. FFAW and the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) could not agree on...

White Shrimp Are Seeing Price Decline and Uncertain Future in Chinese Market

White shrimp have suffered from continuous price contraction from May to early June. With increasingly large aquaculture scale in recent years, some insiders have worried if farmers will be able to earn satisfying profits or not, considering factors like greater supplies, higher disease incidence and uncertain seed qualities.

Shrimp prices plummeted to great extents in China’s Jiangsu province in late May, and some traders complained that it is difficult to continue their business. And there are few signs of market rebound...

ANALYSIS: Indian Shrimp Share Values on the Up Despite Supply Concerns

While Indian shrimp production is contending with a mixture of challenges including sporadic lockdowns, institutional investors continue to see growth opportunities.    

PRODUCTION PROSPECTS 

According to recent estimates, around 60% of India’s economy is subject to mobility curbs, with key economic hubs such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan seeing rising COVID-19 cases. 

Despite ongoing hurdles, some remain optimistic about the country’s shrimp sector. A recently published advisory report suggests that Indian shrimp sales are set to benefit from a revival in international demand and...

ANALYSIS: April Shrimp Imports Surge Led By Ecuador Growth

April’s shrimp import totals were released today and continued the trend of large year-over-year gains. April 2021 imports were 134.257 million pounds versus a pandemic ravaged 113.822 million pounds last year. This represented an 18 percent increase, widening the year-to-date gap to 11.8 percent higher.

The problems in India (-16.4%) persist, which has affected imports from that country tremendously. While India remained our number one trade partner, the gap to second and third shrunk significantly. Imports accounted for... 

Alaska Fishing Updates For June 2021

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – There’s lots of fishing going on besides salmon.

Salmon fisheries are opening nearly every day across Alaska and as always, lots of other fishing are gearing up or ongoing.

Southeast Alaska’s Dungeness fishery opens June 15 and crabbers are hoping for another good season. Combined catches for last year’s summer and fall fisheries totaled nearly 6.7 million pounds, more than double the 10 year average, and just shy of the record 7.3 million pounds taken in 2002...

FDA Issues A Surprising Warning For Those With Seafood Allergies

Shrimp? Yum. Lobster? Yes, please. Cicadas? Um… 

Cicadas emerge every 17 years and 2021 is the lucky year that we’ll see them make their way back above ground. While most probably want to avoid the insect, earlier this week the FDA issued a warning for people not to eat cicadas if they’re allergic to seafood.

“Yep! We have to say it!” the government agency tweeted.

Believe it or not, cicadas share a family relation to shrimp and lobster, which is why...

JAPAN: April Preliminary Report Shows Stalling Imports Again

According to the April preliminary trade report released by the Ministry of Finance on May 20, the quantity of seafood imports (excluding non-edible marine products) decreased again. The value continued a positive increase for three months in a row but remained at the same low level as the previous year when it plummeted due to the COVID.

Imports of seafood in April were 173,336 tons, or 132,370 million yen ($1205.14 million); a decrease of 3.6% and an increase of 1.9% compared to the same month of the previous year...

ANALYSIS: Mother Nature Adds Another Layer of Uncertainty to the Indian Shrimp Industry

Storm Yaas —a severe cyclonic storm of the 2021 North Indian Ocean cyclone season—has devasted parts of West Bengal and Odisha, inundating hundreds of low-lying villages in the process. Official and unofficial reports estimate anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 hectares of shrimp farms are flooded.    

With shrimp exports from Andhra Pradesh already jeopardized, the latest flooding of farms along the Bay of Bengal has put a major question mark over India's supply capacity over the coming months...