ANALYSIS: Atlantic Halibut Reaches Two-Decade Price Highs Despite Familiar Seasonal Trends

Atlantic halibut pricing in 2025 has followed familiar seasonal patterns despite notable volatility throughout the year. The market experienced significant price swings, though many occurred at similar intervals compared to previous years

The market demonstrated its typical rhythm with increases ahead of spring holidays, summer softening, and subsequent recovery. Currently, pricing is climbing heading into the winter holiday season, when some of the year's highest prices typically occur.

This year's price increases began about two weeks earlier than usual, contributing to elevated pricing compared to year-over-year...

Reports of Possible ICE Facility Near Newport, Ore., Stir Concern

City and state officials are seeking clarification after reports surfaced that the US Department of Homeland Security may be evaluating potential sites along the Oregon Coast, including property near the Newport Municipal Airport, for a new US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

In a statement released Monday, Newport city leaders confirmed they had received credible information indicating the airport property, currently deeded to the US Coast Guard, was identified as one possible location. The city emphasized that, although details remain unconfirmed, the potential for an ICE facility...

OBBBA’s 2nd Oil Lease Sale this March for Alaska’s Cook Inlet, 1st Sale Next Month for Gulf States

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced two major oil and gas lease sales last Friday, as promised in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

BOEM, part of the Department of the Interior, released the Final Notice of Sale for Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 1 (BBG1), the first of 30 Gulf of America lease sales. The Gulf of Mexico was renamed by Trump to the Gulf of America...

Red Lobster Launches Fresh Seafood Boils and Seasonal Delights

The popularity of the seafood boil has reemerged recently, fueled by food content creators and social media.

Armed with a relentless CEO and rebounding from bankruptcy, Red Lobster has embraced the trend in an effort to heat up its menu, and amplify foot traffic.

Expana first announced the addition of the new seafood boils in June . Following their successful debut, Expana later reported in September that the restaurant made the boils a permanent part of its menu.

Most recently, the company has added three new flavors...

ICFA Urges COP30 Negotiators to Recognize Critical Role of Fisheries in Climate Action

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA) reminds climate change negotiators of the critical role fisheries play in both climate mitigation and adaptation. ICFA emphasizes two key points: (1) the fisheries sector’s contribution to mitigating climate change; and (2) the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and fish stocks. Related to both is the critical role blue foods play in global food security and nutrition. 

Next week, during the 30^th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, countries are expected...

Les Hodges: Frozen Crab to the US, Live to China - Everything Else is Just Noise

As the industry enters the final weeks of 2025, one reality is unmistakable: global king and snow crab movement is now shaped almost entirely by the United States and China. The US has become the dominant outlet for frozen snow crab, absorbing record volumes from Canada and Norway, while China controls the live crab market and continues to pull the majority of Russian king and snow crab. Japan remains Asia's largest frozen crab buyer, but demand has fallen sharply under a weak yen and declining consumer...

ANALYSIS: Scottish Salmon Production '24-25: Volume Trends, Health Impacts, and Market Implications

The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2024, published in October 2025, reported a notable increase in Atlantic salmon production in 2024, reaching 192,000 metric tonnes (mt), up 41,051mt (+27%) year-on-year (y-o-y). Current estimates for 2025 production are approximately 195,182 mt, a further 1.7% increase y-o-y. Salmon production in Scotland has been volatile over the past decade (Figure 1), but if the 2025 forecast is met this will mark two consecutive years of growth...

Expana Publication Schedule For the Veteran’s Day Holiday

Expana will be observing the Veteran’s Day holiday on Tuesday, November 11, which will impact the publication of some Expana Benchmark Prices. All US offices will be closed on the day; daily reports (red meat, poultry, eggs) will not be published, and the following weekly and biweekly reports will be impacted:

Veal, US, will be published on Monday, November 10

Grains and Oilseeds, US, will be published on Monday, November 10

Seafood, US and EU Markets, will be published on Wednesday, November 12...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates Show Downtrend After Front‑loading

New import estimates (Aug–Oct) developed amid the government shutdown reveal a post‑frontload downtrend that trims near‑term availability. While imports were higher than 2023–24 (years that themselves showed declines), they remain below 2022 levels. Preliminary October signals—where peeled product trends toward the high end of estimates—point to tighter balances for certain forms even as total seasonal volumes cool. Seasonally, the projected Aug–Oct turn confirms the expected counter‑seasonal downtrend after the spring/summer front run. That combination—reduced post‑frontload inflows plus form‑specific...

Oregon Dungeness Crab is Ready for Harvest!

Oregon’s Dungeness crab fleet appears headed for an on-time start to the 2025–26 commercial season, with preseason testing showing strong meat recovery across all sampling areas. The only thing that could hold up an on-time season start for Dec. 1: Elevated domoic acid levels in one or more areas.  

According to coastwide test data, all Oregon areas exceeded the state’s minimum meat recovery criteria, according to results released by the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission – an encouraging sign for harvesters and processors after several...

Echo Falls Announces Leadership Changes to Drive Continued Expansion

In pursuit of continued expansion, Echo Falls has recently implemented a series of leadership changes.

Nearly two weeks ago, Expana covered the promotions of Jeff Gernand to Director of National Sales – Branded Products and Rachael Minieri to Director of Private Label Sales, respectively.

These promotions created vacancies in the Regional Sales Manager positions previously held by Gernand (West) and Minieri (East).

This week, the company welcomed two leaders to fill those roles. Kimberly Novkov was appointed Regional Sales Manager, Western Territory, while Paul Williams will serve...

The Retail Rundown: A Season of Plenty, Except for Turkey

For retailers, this year’s holiday season is shaping up to be one of plenty. The National Retail Federation (NRF) projects November and December sales to surpass $1 trillion for the first time, underscoring consumers’ continued spending power.

“American consumers may be cautious in sentiment, yet remain fundamentally strong and continue to drive U.S. economic activity,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

While foodservice outlets are poised to capture consumer traffic on hectic days, retail prepared foods and frozen entrées are well-positioned to compete for at-home dining occasions as shoppers seek convenient, time-saving meal solutions...

Cousins Maine Lobster Drives Midwest Momentum with New St. Louis Truck

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, has signed an agreement with local family entrepreneurs, Sam, Tommy, and Tarik Ramadan, to bring its signature Maine lobster food truck experience to Missouri. The new truck is set to launch in April 2026, marking CML's highly anticipated debut in the St. Louis market and continuing its ongoing Midwest expansion.

Tommy Ramadan will lead the venture, providing strategic direction and management oversight, with support from his younger brother, Tarik, who will oversee...

ANALYSIS: China’s Crustacean Imports Hold Firm Despite Economic Slowdown

Despite an economic slowdown that has persisted since last year, China has sustained a healthy import budget for crustaceans, according to the latest GACC figures (General Administration and Customs of China). The first quarter saw shipments to China increase by 6.6%, then 7.4% in Q2 and 5.0% in Q3, so from January to September, shellfish imports rose 6.3% in volume and 6.6% in value year‑on‑year.

Shrimp account for the largest share of crustacean imports this year, representing 55% of the CNY 50,149 million total spent to date...

Alaska’s 2025 Season Nets 88 Percent More Salmon, Increasing YOY Value by 78 Percent

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has published preliminary catch and value data for this year’s salmon season, noting year-on-year increases for both volume and value. 

Total catch reached 194.8 million salmon, an 88% increase from the 2024 catch of 103.5 million salmon. Total value in 2025 for all species is estimated to be at $541 million, a significant increase from $304 million in 2024. Ex-vessel average prices per pound for all salmon species improved from 2024 values...

Recall of Frozen Norwegian Salmon Fillet

In a laboratory test conducted by the Food Service of the Central Health Bureau, it was found that two products — Norwegian skinless frozen salmon fillet, packaging date January 6, 2025 only, barcode 7290005816109, and Norwegian frozen salmon fillet, packaging date December 14, 2024 only, barcode 7290003424252 — showed a discrepancy between the labeling as Atlantic salmon of the *Salar* species and their actual composition as coho salmon (*Oncorhynchus* species).

Product details:

• Product name: Norwegian frozen salmon fillet with/without skin, vacuum packed
• Brand: Chirne Content: sold by weight
• Manufacturer: Smoke Fish...

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...