Maruha Nichiro and UMAMI Bioworks Launch Project to Develop Cell-Cultivated Bluefin Tuna 

Japanese seafood company Maruha Nichiro Corporation (MNC) and Singapore-based Umami Bioworks have joined forces to develop cell-cultivated bluefin tuna.  

The latest venture advances their joint development agreement on cell cultivation technology — which has been in place since 2023. 

Cell-cultivated seafood is attracting attention as a way to supply next-generation fish protein. And Umami Bioworks is no stranger to these prototypes. Just last month, the Singapore-based company launched its cultivated seafood protein platform to tackle key challenges in...

Japan: FEED ONE to Invest in New Aqua Feed Mill

Japanese feed producer FEED ONE Co. Ltd. has unveiled plans to invest ¥13 billion (approximately $89.7 million) in a new aqua feed mill in Mito, Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture. The facility, scheduled to begin construction in the latter half of 2025, is slated for completion by April 2028.

The new plant will take over aquaculture compound feed production currently handled by the Chita factory, which will subsequently focus solely on livestock feed.

"The environment surrounding aquaculture in Japan is expected to diversify...

Cousins Maine Lobster to Open Food Truck in Wisconsin  

Fast-casual lobster roll company Cousins Maine Lobster (CML) is bringing a new truck to Wisconsin this summer. Local entrepreneurs Chris Goeman and Kevin Smith are spearheading the effort — which is set to begin serving the Milwaukee market in June.  

The two got the idea for their latest venture after visiting the brand’s truck in Chicago.  

"When I saw the lines forming for Cousins Maine Lobster made up of customers from several neighborhoods away, we knew the demand was real," said Smith. "It's a clear sign that people are craving...

Russia: Fish Exports Could Exceed $6 Billion in 2025

According to Agroexport — the organization responsible for agricultural exports from Russia — fish exports in the country could exceed $6 billion in 2025, a $1.2 billion increase from last year.

Experts with the center predict the main supply destinations to be China, South Korea, the EU, Japan and Belarus. Agroexport also reported that in the first four months of 2025, Russia exported $1.9 billion in fish products — a 22% jump from the same period last year.

Frozen fish accounted for 47% of exports, totaling...

ANALYSIS: Overview of Ecuadorian Skipjack Tuna Landings, Exports, and Market Sentiment

Ecuador plays a vital role as a fishing nation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), and as a key tuna canning processor, particularly for the European market.  This year, the Expana Benchmark Prices (EBP) for Ecuadorian skipjack tuna have shown a consistent upward trend, with prices rising from the beginning of the year to the latest assessment in April. The price of whole frozen Ecuadorian skipjack tuna reached $1,650 per metric ton (MT), reflecting an increase of 13.8% year-on-year (y-o-y). The Ecuadorian skipjack...

ANALYSIS: China’s April Imports of Homarus Americanus Fall by Over 45%, GACC Reports

According to customs data released last week by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), imports of Homarus americanus (American lobster) into China declined by 45.2% year-over-year in volume for the month of April. A total of 766 metric tons of live and frozen lobsters were shipped to China during the month, representing a 44.4% decrease compared to March. In terms of value, imports totaled CNY 150.1 million (USD $20.8 million) in April, reflecting...

NEFMC’s Amendment 25 Nixed On Procedural Grounds, Cod Season Starts Using Old Rules 

On May 19, the New England Fisheries Management Council was told that their Amendment 25, which revises biological definitions for the Atlantic Cod stock and changes the stock united from two to four separate stocks, was disapproved by the Secretary of Commerce. 

The letter, written by NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator Michael Pentony made a point that the problem was not the science, but the procedures taken by the Council. 

“While the biological stock unit definitions in Amendment 25 are based on the best scientific...

Fujisan Salmon Markets White Fujisan Salmon: White Meat Rainbow Trout Grown at the Foot of Mt. Fuji

Japanese newspaper Minato Shimbun recently highlighted the production and sale of "White Fujisan Salmon,” rainbow trout grown by aquaculture company Fujisan Salmon Co., Ltd. (Fujisan Salmon) at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Unlike the image of salmon with red meat, this beautiful white meat is different from both regular salmon and white fish varieties, characterized by its moderate fat content. Utilizing the abundant spring water of Mt. Fuji, Fujisan Salmon strives for sustainability through farming practices aimed at coexisting with...

ANALYSIS: Q2 Trends in Norwegian Cod Landings and Price Dynamics

In the first quarter of 2025, the price of Norwegian cod has been significantly influenced by the potential tariff changes in the U.S. market, particularly for products that rely on the trade route from Norway to China before reaching the U.S.  

As tariffs on Chinese exports to the US are expected to rise, the demand for Norwegian cod has declined. In May, the price increased by 11.5 % year-on-year (see Figure 1), largely due to...

ASMI Releases 2024 Annual Report Highlighting Global Impacts and Market Challenges 

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has released its 2024 Annual Report, reflecting on partnerships, investments and challenges within the Alaska seafood industry. 

Throughout 2024, ASMI worked to promote Alaska seafood in 36,000 retail stores and 18,000 restaurants across the U.S. – but not without its challenges.  

A Difficult 2024 

According to the August 2024 NOAA Fisheries Alaska Seafood Snapshot Report, the Alaska seafood industry spent much of last year in recovery mode, after suffering a $1.8 billion economic loss from...

Tokyo Seafoods Purchases Increase by 40% in 2025 With a Focus on Spanish Set-net Tuna  

Food trading company Tokyo Seafoods will continue to promote wild bluefin tuna from Spain this year. Its buyer arrived in the country at the end of April and purchased approximately 500 tons — 40% more than 2024. While farmed Atlantic bluefin tuna is popular in the Mediterranean, Minato Shimbun reports that Tokyo Seafoods will market wild bluefins as a rare setnet-caught fish. And as sales destinations expand, purchases will be made from a total of three companies, with Crespo Family at the...

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...

No Second Opener on Copper River This Week, But Prince William Sound Opens for Seiners 

Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced yesterday that the Copper River District will remain closed for the rest of this week to aid struggling Chinook salmon to move upriver to spawn.  

ADF&G has estimated that 21,000-31,000 Chinook must be allowed to reach the upper waters of the Copper for the population to remain sustainable.  

According to harvest data and in river abundance indicators, salmon managers say the return so far continues to be...

SSP and CNA Host 2025 SustainED Event in Ecuador, Focused on Efficient, Sustainable Shrimp Farming

The Sustainable Shrimp Partnership (SSP) and Ecuador's National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA) recently hosted a new edition of the SustainED shrimp aquaculture program in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  

This edition of the program was focused on nutritional innovation and upholding aquaculture standards in order to strengthen efficiency and sustainability within the world’s largest shrimp-producing nation, Ecuador.  

This year’s program was titled “Nutritional Innovation: How to Maximize Feed Efficiency at Every Stage of Shrimp Farming,” and took place on May 22, 2025, at the Hilton Colón Hotel...

New Report Shows Upward Trajectory for European Union's Blue Economy

On May 22, 2025, the European Commission (EC) published its annual Blue Economy Report, detailing the current economic performance of the European Union’s (EU) blue economy sectors and providing estimates of the sectors’ future economic performance.

The EC defines “blue economy” as all economic activities based on or related to the ocean, seas and coasts, including economic sectors like fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, shipping, ports, and marine renewable energy.

According to the recent report, the EU blue economy has been on an upward trajectory since the COVID-19 crisis...

ANALYSIS: EU-UK Q1 Shrimp Imports Rise 8.5% Y-O-Y, Rise 10% Since Q1 2023

In the first quarter of 2025, the EU-UK region imported 159,231 metric tons of shrimp, marking an increase of 8.5% compared to the same period in 2024 and 10.0% above Q1 2023. In value terms, imports reached €1,115.9 million, reflecting an 18.2% year-on-year rise. The composition of imports remains heavily weighted toward warm water shrimp, which accounted for the majority of the growth. Cold water shrimp imported from outside the EU-UK represented only 4% of the total value...

The Retail Rundown: Father’s Day Fires Up Demand for Premium Cuts

Meat sales over Memorial Day weekend appeared to underperform in some regions this year, as cool weather across the Midwest curbed outdoor grilling activity.

Retailers are now setting their sights on the next major grilling event, Father’s Day, paired with hopes for improved weather. Falling on June 15th this year, the event presents another opportunity to drive protein consumption. 

This week’s retail buying opportunities are led by seafood, which accounts for 28.2% of protein ads. Beef has 26.4%, trailed by pork at 23.2%, chicken at 18%, and turkey with...