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...

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...

Andfjord Salmon’s Q1 Results Reflect Low Production and Zero Revenue Amid Kvalnes Build-Out

Norwegian salmon producer Andfjord Salmon Group AS recently released its financial results for Q1 2025, indicating stalled profits amid the company’s ongoing construction at its facility in Kvalnes, Norway.

The five-stage construction plan has been in progress since 2023, with Phase 1 reaching 90% completion as of November 27, 2024.

As a result, Andfjord Salmon did not produce any salmon in the first quarter of this year, resulting in zero revenue for the period, as was the case for the same period last year...

Russia Optimistic About 2025 Salmon Catch in Kamchatka Region

Kamchatka will become one of Russia's main salmon regions this year, with a catch of almost 200,000 tons of salmon expected this summer alone.  

As reported in the Russian business paper Kommersant, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries cited June 1 as the season opening for the peninsula’s main fishing season.

According to forecasts by Russian scientists, 89,000 tons of salmon can be caught on the eastern coast of Kamchatka and about 110,000 tons on the western coast. Traditionally, the bulk of catch will account for pink salmon, amounting to approximately...

USDA Announces Section 32 Pre-Solicitation for Atlantic Groundfish and Pacific Pink Shrimp

On May 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to purchase commercially available Atlantic Groundfish and Pacific Pink Shrimp for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.  

According to the USDA’s announcement, potential materials purchased include frozen Atlantic pollock fillets (material code 111291), frozen haddock fillets (material code 111292), frozen ocean perch fillets (111293), and Pacific salad shrimp (material codes 111453 and 111454).  

The May 23 notice was only a pre-solicitation for seafood bids. Formal solicitations for firm-fixed-price contracts with the...

FDA Issues Advisory on Frozen Half-Shell Oysters from the Republic of Korea

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory regarding frozen half-shell oysters distributed by Khee Trading, Inc. of Compton, California.

Due to potential norovirus contamination, Khee Trading recently recalled all frozen half-shell oysters with Lot Code: B250130, harvested from Designated Area No. 1 in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Jan. 30, 2025, and processed by JBR KR-15-SP in Tongyeong-si, ROK.

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat and restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell...

OPINION: NOAA’s Budget Crunch Trimming Fat, or Cutting Muscle?

Federal programs that keep mariners safe are on the chopping block. What does this mean for coastal communities and small boat fishermen? 

Fishermen live in a world without guardrails. No traffic lines. No brakes. Just the limits of our vessels, navigational tools, experience, and the shifting moods of the ocean. 

My fishing operation’s primary platform is a 26-foot open skiff, which we use to set and haul nets, gather and deliver fish, and travel around our small corner of the North Pacific. It’s small but seaworthy, and in many conditions...

Oregon Gov. Kotek, Lawmakers Applaud $16 Million Pink Shrimp USDA Purchase

In another win for consumers, the seafood industry, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oregon pink shrimp will soon become available thanks to a $16 million government purchase.  

The West Coast pink shrimp industry has been reeling from uncertainty due to global markets and potential European retaliatory tariffs; the purchase will help offset some of that, shrimp fishermen and processors said.   

"This is a great day for Oregon seafood communities,” Nick Edwards, Secretary of Shrimp Producers Marketing Cooperative, said in a press release...

Bakkafrost Q1 Results Show Decreased Earnings Amid Increased Supply

Faroese salmon farmer Bakkafrost recently released its financial results for Q1 2025, reflecting an overall decrease in earnings amid increased supply and weaker prices.

Regin Jacobsen, CEO of Bakkafrost, said the company is satisfied overall with this quarter’s results, noting the strong biological performance at its various facilities.

He cited Bakkafrost’s successful Faroese freshwater and marine operations, which delivered another strong biological performance, and Scotland’s continued focus on high-quality smolt and scaling up production for long-term sustainability and profitability.

In total, Bakkafrost’s Q1 revenues totaled DKK 1,899 million...

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...

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...

Turning the Tide Announces 2025 Marine Industry Awards

On May 26, 2025, Turning the Tide announced its 2025 recipients for the 8th annual Marine Industry Awards, including two businesses, two individuals, and a UNESCO-recognized historic site.

Each year, five awards are given out for exemplary leadership, innovation, and long-term commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador’s marine industries. The five awards include the following: the Industry Leadership & Excellence Award, Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, Innovation Leadership Award, Award of Historical Marine Significance, and Next Wave Leadership Award.  

Turning the Tide Chair Paul Antle and his fellow Board of Directors announced the...

Over 27,000 Sockeye and 1,000 Chinook Salmon Netted in Copper River’s First Opener on May 22

For the first time in recent history, the iconic Copper River salmon season opened about a week late for the fleet based in nearby Cordova.

Rather than May 15, state salmon managers delayed the first opener until the 22nd to allow more Chinook salmon through to their spawning grounds in the Copper River watershed. In 353 deliveries during a 12-hour opener, drift netters delivered 27,368 sockeye, 1,083 Chinook, 189 chum salmon, and one pink salmon. The fishery began at 7 a.m. local time...

Russia Remains Major Salmon Producer in North Pacific Region

According to experts from the Russian Federal Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, one of Russia’s leading research institutions in the field of fisheries, salmon landings in the North Pacific Ocean (NPO) amounted to 528,000 tonnes in 2024, with Russia leading fish catches in the region.  

This marks the largest share of Russian catch in the region, accounting for almost 48% of the NPO’s total catch last year. In second place was the United States with 42% and Japan in third place with 9%.  

According to experts from Russian newswire Fish News...

Lake Charles Has a 79% Authenticity Rate for Gulf Shrimp Labeling, Test Results Indicate

According to recent genetic testing conducted by SEAD Consulting, 19 out of 24 shrimp dishes (78%) sampled in local restaurants in Lake Charles, Louisiana were found to be either selling authentic wild-caught Gulf shrimp or correctly labeling imported seafood on their menus.

This round of testing is part of an 8-state study being commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) and the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, utilizing SEAD’s patented genetic test RIGHTTest™. As part of this effort, more than 300 randomly selected restaurants...

Japan’s Frozen Pollock Surimi Imports Increased 4% in Q1

Japan's frozen pollock surimi imports for the first quarter of 2025 reached a cumulative volume of 15,478 tons, up 4% from the same period last year.

Of that total quantity, 10,953 tons were exported from the U.S., falling 18% year-on-year, while 4,525 tons were exported from Russia, increasing 2.8 times year-on-year. As such, the import volume ratio between the two countries was 71 to 29.

Imported pollock surimi is the main ingredient of Japanese-produced surimi products, with the United States and Russia being the only two...

Russia Focuses on Boosting Seafood Exports, Particularly Value-Added Fish Products

Throughout the year, Russia plans to continue expanding its export geography for Russian fish and fish products.

At the recent meeting of the State Council commission on “International Cooperation and Export,” Ilya Shestakov, head of Rosrybolovstvo stated that Russia currently exports fish to more than 90 countries.

Shestakov added, “We see potential for further export growth, primarily to friendly countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We continue systematic work to promote Russian fish and seafood in foreign markets.”

As Shestakov believes, the Russian fisheries complex...