Invasive Species and US Tariffs Add Pressure to Brazil’s Seafood Sector

Brazil’s tilapia sector is navigating another challenge after the National Biodiversity Commission (Conabio) labeled the fish species invasive. Meanwhile, US tariffs on Brazilian seafood, including tilapia, continue to squeeze export margins, compounding uncertainties for producers.

Tilapia is a cornerstone of Brazilian aquaculture, representing a significant share of the country’s farmed fish production. However, Conabio’s recent decision to classify tilapia as an invasive species has ignited alarm among producers and government bodies. The classification signals stricter controls and potential regulatory hurdles, threatening to disrupt one of Brazil’s most vital...

Florida Importer Netuno Sues Over Trump Tariffs, Challenges Emergency Trade Powers

Netuno USA, a Florida-based seafood importer and distributor, filed suit Nov. 5 in the US Court of International Trade, arguing that President Trump’s emergency tariff program exceeds his statutory authority and has disrupted its seafood supply chains.

The complaint was lodged against Trump, his administration, the US Trade Representative, US Customs and Border Protection and other officials. Netuno called the tariffs unconstitutional and unlawful and argued that Trump exceeded statutory and constitutional authority by using emergency powers to impose broad tariffs.

Netuno questioned Trump’s authority on tariffs...

US-China Tariff Cut Gives Short-Term Relief to Seafood Imports

The US and China reached a trade agreement that reduces a key tariff on Chinese goods and extends several reciprocal exclusions, providing immediate — albeit temporary — relief to US seafood importers and processors, who have been squeezed by higher duties.

Under the agreement, the so-called fentanyl tariff is reduced from 20% to 10%, and reciprocal tariff exclusions are extended through December 31, 2025. Separately, certain Section 301 exclusions that had been set to expire at the end of November 2025 were pushed out...

US Share of Norwegian Salmon Slips as Tariffs Push Growth Toward Asia in 2025

The United States has become a smaller share of the Norwegian salmon market in recent months as tariffs play a significant role in the market shift.

In its monthly Norwegian seafood export update, the Norwegian Seafood Council said that salmon export growth to the US has slowed down in recent months. Over the last three months, only 8% of Norwegian salmon exports were destined for the us. That number was as high as 11.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Despite this, the US remains among...

Norwegian Exports Climb in September as China Buoys Salmon Demand, US Fresh Sales Slip

Norwegian seafood exports posted robust numbers in September, buoyed by both rising prices and strong demand, particularly for salmon shipped to China, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, credited higher prices for mackerel, cod, saithe and king crab to go along with the strong growth in the Chinese market.

"The EU is still our largest overall market, but Norway is now taking an increasing share of the growing Chinese salmon and prawn market...

Canada Expands Tariff Support to Atlantic Canada, Backing Seafood, Manufacturing and Steel

As Canada continues to navigate a new trade environment thanks to United States President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced major investments for Atlantic Canada.

On September 8, Carney announced that CAD 80 million ($58 million) from the larger Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) would be allocated to businesses in Atlantic Canada. Carney’s office stated that RTRI support will help industries most affected by the tariffs, including the seafood, manufacturing and steel sectors. The support will aim to modernize their operations, protect...

Kingfish Sees 41% Volume Surge in H1 2025, But Scales Back US Fresh Sales Over Tariffs

The Kingfish Company said it witnessed strong volume growth of its farmed Yellowtail products behind rising demand in the first half of 2025.

The company also stated that it would reduce its commercial activities for fresh yellowtail kingfish in the US, citing tariffs, an unfavorable USD exchange rate, and increased logistics costs. The company noted the decision despite witnessing strong volume growth in the US over the past few quarters. Fresh sales in the US represented roughly 6% of its total Fresh revenue...

USTR Extends China Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Through November 29

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced the extension of tariff exclusions in the Section 301 Investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices. The list of exclusions includes various seafood items, such as frozen haddock and sole, as well as frozen blocks of crab meat, which includes king, snow, and Dungeness crab.

The exemptions, which were to expire on August 31, will now expire on November 29, 2025. This is the second time this year that the exemptions have been extended...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers See Early Back-to-School Spending Amid Price Concerns

While some students are already back in class, others are squeezing in the last stretch of summer before Labor Day. Either way, grocers are bracing for busy aisles as parents juggle back-to-school supplies and grocery lists. This week’s ads highlight plenty of lunchbox staples, including snacks and deli items. 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that two-thirds of shoppers had already begun back-to-school purchases by early July, with more than half starting earlier than last year. Concerns about higher prices linked to tariffs...

Ecuador’s Shrimp Sector Still Facing $20 Million Monthly Tariff Burden Even with Rate Advantage

Even with the lowest US tariff rate among leading shrimp importers, Ecuador’s shrimp industry faces a hefty $20 million monthly tariff cost, posing serious challenges for the sector, according to the country’s National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA).

Ecuador was the second-largest supplier of shrimp to the US, exporting 412 million pounds worth $1.28 billion, per the CNA. Between January and June 2025, the country shipped 296 million pounds of product valued at $867 million...

Thai Union Sees Record Margin Gains, Will Leverage Global Footprint Amid 19% US Tariff

Thai Union Group announced its gross profit margin (GPM) reached an all-time quarterly high of 19.7% in Q2, along with a record for the first half of the year at 19.3%.

The company said its results reflected “exceptional resilience and continued growth in profitability” via the record-high GPM, as its earnings per share saw an 18% growth.

The GPM record was linked to a favorable product mix and raw material costs.

The group posted Q2 2025 sales...

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...

FMI 2025 Report Highlights Food Industry Shifts Amid Consumer, Economic and Supply Chain Pressures

The Food Industry Association (FMI) has released its 76th annual report, “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2025,” offering a look into how the industry is advancing as the modern grocery experience continues to evolve.  

The report highlights strategies adopted by food retailers and suppliers, as they adapt to the shifting expectations of consumers, supply chain challenges, and economic pressures.  

Bracing for continued disruptions  

According to the report, about 80% of food retailers and suppliers expect trade policies and tariffs to affect pricing and...

Canadian Seafood Escapes Trump’s 35% Tariff, According to Multiple Reports on USMCA Exemptions

Key Canadian seafood exports will be exempt from President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 35% tariff on Canadian goods, according to multiple reports from CBC, The Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Finance.

While Trump’s tariff announcement last week sparked uncertainty over whether critical species like salmon, crab and lobster would be affected, officials confirmed that products compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will remain tariff-free.

The question of whether seafood would be faced with a 35% tariff rate followed the release of Trump’s tariff...

TCRS’s Annual Shrimp Summit Underscores Industry Promise Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Around 500 shrimp experts and industry stakeholders recently gathered in-person and online to participate in The Center for Responsible Seafood’s (TCRS) annual Shrimp Summit, which was held in Bali from June 22-26.

During the event, attendees explored the latest trends and technologies and the potential for shrimp industry growth down the line.

A critical concern expressed by attendees was tariffs and their impact on global markets, as cited by 100% of respondents surveyed during the Summit’s first session.

“Challenging economic conditions and market uncertainty made it even more..."

Trump Announces US Trade Deal With Vietnam, Including 20% Import Tariff

President Trump announced that the United States has agreed to a new trade deal with Vietnam on July 2.

Trump stated that Vietnam will pay the US a 20% tariff on all goods exported to the U.S. and a 40% tariff on transshipped goods. The higher 40% tariff targets products that are not originally made in Vietnam but are routed through the country to bypass higher tariffs. This move is significant, as many countries have used Vietnam as a transit point to avoid stricter trade penalties aimed at Chinese...

NFI Supports Food Tariff Cuts, Presses for Inclusion of All Seafood in Trump Administration Plan

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) shared its approval of the Trump administration’s move to reduce tariffs on some food and agricultural products.

The NFI urged the administration to include all seafood in tariff adjustments, citing that rising costs have put it out of reach for many American families.

“This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed,” NFI President & CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard said in a statement...

High Liner Q3 Adjusted EBITDA Falls 29% as Tariffs, Foodservice Softness Squeeze Margins

Value-added frozen seafood company High Liner Foods reported an Adjusted EBITDA decline in the third quarter of 2025, when compared to last year.

High Liner’s President and CEO Paul Jewer said the company faced “a combination of macroeconomic factors” which included tariffs, soft consumer sentiment and reduced foodservice traffic that led to “greater pressure on margins and volumes than anticipated.”

"We are taking targeted actions - including pricing adjustments, continuous improvement initiatives, and disciplined cost management - to help offset short-term pressures on the business,” Jewer added...

Indonesia Orders Shrimp Firms to Halt Shipments Amid FDA's New Import Certification Rules

The Indonesian government has issued a formal notice instructing shrimp packers in affected areas to halt shipments to the United States, a move prompted by multiple US detections of cesium‑137 (Cs‑137) and coming as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s new import certification requirements and Import Alert 99-52 take effect.

Market sources confirmed the notice to Expana, with suppliers from the Island of Java and Province of Lampung, on the Island of Sumatra, impacted. Sources indicated that multiple suppliers in the affected...

Oregon Pink Shrimp Allies Tell USTR to Open UK Market, End 20% Tariff

The Oregon Trawl Commission (OTC), the Shrimp Producers Marketing Cooperative (SPMC) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) penned a letter to the US Trade Representative (USTR), urging the Trump administration to secure reliable access to the United Kingdom market for Oregon pink shrimp harvesters.

“The UK is one of the major global markets for coldwater shrimp, and UK consumers place great value on quality and sustainability, making it an ideal market for the MSC-certified Oregon pink shrimp...

SalmonChile Represented in Chilean Capitol Hill Delegation to Advance Trade Talks

SalmonChile, a Chilean salmon industry association, visited Capitol Hill in the United States to discuss trade relations, tariffs, and other issues with US representatives.

The Chilean delegation was led by the Industrial Development Association (SOFOFA), and its president, Rosario Navarro, and its secretary general, Rodrigo Yáñez. The group met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where parties discussed the negotiation of a free trade agreement and the current tariff status. The delegation was also received at a reception by the Chilean ambassador to Washington...

Global Seafood Faces "Perfect Storm" of Tariffs and Risk, Rabobank Warns

The global seafood industry is amidst a period of profound disruption, according to the latest Rabobank report.

Seafood producers and exporters are being impacted by tariffs and geopolitical tensions, notably in Asia. Meanwhile, consumers in the Western part of the globe are facing increased prices and reduced availability of seafood staples.

“The seafood industry is navigating a perfect storm of trade barriers, geopolitical risk, and supply chain fragility,” said Gorjan Nikolik, Senior Global Specialist Seafood at RaboResearch. “Strategic diversification—both in sourcing and market access—is no longer optional...

New US-EU Trade Agreement Removes Tariffs on US Seafood, Lobster

The United States and European Union unveiled a new trade agreement on August 21 that will eliminate EU tariffs on US industrial goods, including seafood, and expand market access for American seafood, agriculture and lobster products.

The deal will see the European Union eliminate all tariffs on US industrial goods and provide “preferential” market access to a “wide range” of US Seafood and agricultural goods. The statement also said the framework included an extension of a deal, which expired on July 31, that eliminated EU tariffs on US...

Scottish Salmon Exports on Track to Hit Record £1 Billion on Strong US, Asian Growth

Scottish salmon exports could reach the £1 billion ($1.4 billion) mark for the first time ever by the end of the year, according to Salmon Scotland.

Salmon Scotland noted that the latest data shows that salmon exports rose by 33% to £941 million in the rolling 12 months through June.

The group, which represents the farmed salmon sector in Scotland, said the data comes just as the country will be able to tap into the Indian market following...

Trump’s New 50% Tariff on India Threatens Shrimp Exports to the US

India, the United States' top shrimp supplier, now faces a 50% tariff.

President Donald Trump levied an additional 25% tariff on India, just days after he imposed a 25% tariff on the country, as Expana reported.

“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” Trump said in an August 6 executive order.

The move serves as a penalty on India for purchasing Russian oil. It is now one of the highest rates of all US trading partners...

The Winding Glass: $1 Billion Tariff Hit to Shrimp Industry Will Lead to Downturn in 12 Months

The US has finalized, for now, tariff rates on the major shrimp-importing countries, and the industry is preparing for a period of significantly higher costs. 

In this column, we look back at other periods when shrimp prices rapidly rose 20% or more to predict what the longer-term impact will be on our industry and customers. 

Things don’t look good.  

We calculated tariff impacts by using full year 2024 values for the major types of shrimp imports, shell-on...

Canadian Trade Union Unifor Urges Action on US and China Seafood Tariffs

Canadian trade union Unifor highlighted its concerns regarding two critical tariff threats on Canadian seafood. Most notably, US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada and China’s tariffs on Canadian fishery products.

The trade union stated that its members, including those from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) in Newfoundland and Labrador, the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union (UFAWU) in British Columbia, and the broader Canadian fishing industry, are facing genuine threats to their livelihoods.

The union noted that although the US tariffs...

Brazil Seafood Association Sounds Alarm Over Job Losses, Export Hit From US Tariffs

Brazil’s seafood industry is already feeling the fallout from President Donald Trump’s newly imposed 50% tariffs, warned Jairo Gund, executive director of the Brazilian fishing industry association (ABIPESCA), in a recent interview on local television.

The newly imposed 50% tariff created a massive headwind for Brazilian seafood exports to the US, as Expana reported earlier this month.

Abipesca highlighted that the tariffs would lead to significant losses for the aquaculture sector...

The Winding Glass: Seafood Trade Disruptions Reappear While Economic Headwinds Drive Prices Down

The economic collapse that many of us feared from the chaotic tariff policies of the Trump administration has not materialized—at least not yet. The seafood industry has shown a remarkable degree of resilience in the face of disruptive trade policy. But this should not be mistaken for invulnerability. The more pressing issue now is not tariffs but weakening consumer demand.

There are three reasons the anticipated tariff-induced disaster hasn’t occurred. First, there’s a deep political bias baked into how people perceive economic risks...

ANALYSIS: Front-Loading Frenzy; May Shrimp Imports Increase 14.6% YTD on Tariff Deadline

Executive Summary

May shrimp import data reveals continued strong volume growth accompanied by rising replacement costs, creating a challenging market dynamic. While imports exceeded expectations across most categories, the combination of higher volumes, elevated costs, and front-loading ahead of tariff implementation, suggests significant inventory accumulation. The market faces a fundamental paradox: imports and costs are both rising, yet U.S. demand remains tepid, pointing to inevitable margin compression as the industry struggles to absorb higher costs across the supply chain without proportional demand...