ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Price Spreads Near Historical Thresholds Amid Incomplete Tariff Pass-Through

Price differential analysis across key shrimp segments reveals a market under structural pressure, with several critical spreads approaching historical support and resistance thresholds. While US wholesale prices have risen 15.8% since tariff implementation, this increase represents only a fraction of the 16-37% cost escalation driven by tariffs alone, indicating significant margin compression throughout the supply chain.

Tariff impact and market absorption

Comparison of current pricing to April 1, 2025 — when tariffs were first enacted — and year-over-year data shows that approximately five percentage...

ASMI Lands $10.7M in USDA Funding to Expand Global Marketing for Alaska Seafood

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has secured more than $10.7 million in federal funding to expand international marketing efforts for Alaska seafood, including more than $4.7 million through the Market Access Program (MAP) and $6 million through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) .

Both programs are administered by the US Department of Agriculture and support global marketing and promotion aimed at growing US exports. AFTPP is the newer of the two programs and is...

Japan's Marine Product Exports Rose 16% in Value in March, Volume Fell 20%

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, exports of marine products (fish and shellfish and their preparations, and fish meal) in March were down 20% year-on-year to 45,779 tons in volume, but up 16% in value to 38.446 billion yen ($240.02 million). Scallops were down 22% to 3,364 tons and down 10% to 7.436 billion yen ($46.43 million). Yellowtail exports were up 61% to 3,804 tons and doubled to 8.941 billion yen...

Blueyou Launches Fair Trade Tuna Program in Maldives 

Ahead of World Tuna Day on May 2, Swiss seafood company Blueyou is expanding its work in the Maldives with the launch of a Fair Trade Certified™ tuna program in partnership with Fair Trade USA. The initiative aims to link sustainable fishing, marine restoration, and community development within a broader seafood supply chain effort.

The program will span 25 island communities across eight atolls and is expected to benefit about 30,000 people, including 2,500 tuna fishers and 500 women involved in sea cucumber farming tied...

House Rules Committee Set to Act on Farm Bill This Week with Major Seafood Provisions at Stake

The 2026 Farm Bill is set for a full House of Representatives vote this week, with the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) highlighting multiple amendments that could deliver significant wins for the US shrimp industry and broader seafood sector, including commercial fishermen and processors.

The House Rules Committee is working with leadership to determine which of the 362 filed amendments will reach the floor for consideration and under what conditions.

Core Seafood Amendments

Amendment 13 – Buy American Seafood Act...

Asda Launches New Sustainable Mussel Product With Scottish Shellfish

According to research from Scottish Shellfish, consumers are looking for approachable, convenient, restaurant-quality seafood that addresses some of the barriers preventing them from buying more. In response, Asda has launched a new product aimed at meeting demand for seafood that is convenient, healthy, and a little more adventurous.

Derek Sharp of Scottish Shellfish said, “Consumers told us they thought of mussels as messy and inconvenient and lacked confidence in how to cook them. We believe Asda has created a product that combines convenience with quality that means shoppers can enjoy an exceptional quality product that’s also affordable and sustainable and doesn’t have to be seen just as an occasional treat.”

Washington State Classifies Golden Mussels as Prohibited Invasive Species

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has implemented emergency rules classifying golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) as a Prohibited Level 1 invasive species statewide, responding to threats the species poses to the state's marine ecosystems and water infrastructure.

The action follows Oregon's April 9 interception of a watercraft fouled with golden mussels at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station, confirming an active pathway for the invasive species to spread northward through recreational boating equipment.

Golden mussels pose significant risks to Washington's seafood industry infrastructure and ecosystems...

Indonesia Shrimp Exports to US Recover from Cesium-137 Crisis, Reach $639 Million

Indonesia's seafood exports to the United States have fully recovered from the cesium-137 contamination crisis that disrupted trade at the end of 2025, with 3,400 containers worth Rp11 trillion ($639 million) shipped as of April 26, according to the country's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

Speaking at Food Summit 2026, Acting KKP Secretary General Andy Artha Donny Oktopura said Indonesia has implemented comprehensive improvements to its fisheries quality system covering production, processing, and distribution to ensure compliance with both domestic and international standards...

New Zealand Secures Tariff-Free Seafood Access to India Under New Trade Agreement

New Zealand and India signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on April 27, with seafood exports playing a central role in the "once-in-a-generation" deal that will eliminate tariffs on key fish and seafood products over seven years.

Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay signed the agreement in New Delhi before a gathering of business leaders from both countries.

Under the FTA, New Zealand will see tariffs on its key fish and seafood exports...

Consolidated Catfish Producers Named to Worker Safety 'Dirty Dozen' List

Mississippi-based Consolidated Catfish Producers was named to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) 2026 Dirty Dozen report. The report highlights 12 companies that the group says have "put workers' lives at risk" through unsafe practices, subpar protections and neglect.

"Every year, we honor workers who have lost their lives on the job, and every year, we see the same pattern: companies prioritizing profit over people," said Jessica E. Martinez, MPH, Executive Director of National COSH. "The Dirty Dozen 2026 makes clear that these tragedies are...

Kaldvík Appoints New CFO After Extended Search

Kaldvík AS announced Tuesday that Þórunn Ragnarsdóttir has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective July 1, 2026, concluding a search that began in late 2025.

Ragnarsdóttir brings extensive international finance experience, having served as CFO at the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and as Director of Administration overseeing finance operations across EFTA's Brussels, Geneva, and Luxembourg offices. She previously held finance roles at Icelandair Ground Services and Icelandair.

The incoming CFO holds an MSc in Finance and International Business from Aarhus University and is completing an MPA in Public Administration at the University...

Proposed NOAA Budget Cuts Face Bipartisan Congressional Resistance

Bipartisan congressional leaders are mounting opposition to the Trump administration's proposed $1.6 billion reduction to NOAA's budget for fiscal year 2027, expressing particular concern about cuts that could severely impact fisheries management and oversight of marine commerce.

The $4.54 billion budget request represents a significant reduction from current funding levels, including proposed cuts of more than 40% to the National Marine Fisheries Service and nearly 60% to the National Ocean Service. The reductions have drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers during an April 28 House Science, Space...

Australian Processor Expands West Coast Rock Lobster Operations, Doubles Capacity

Australian seafood company KB Seafood Co. will assume operations of the Indian Ocean Rock Lobster processing facility in Cervantes, Western Australia, beginning July 1, 2026, effectively doubling the company's processing capacity in a major expansion of its West Coast Rock Lobster operations

The takeover represents a significant consolidation in Western Australia's rock lobster processing sector, with KB Seafood absorbing the entire Indian Ocean Rock Lobster processing team as part of the transition. The company emphasized retaining existing relationships with fishermen, customers, and suppliers built by the facility's previous operators...

The Retail Rundown: Grilling Season in View as May Retail Demand Builds

May is approaching, bringing the unofficial start of grilling season alongside major retail drivers like Mother’s Day, graduations, and Memorial Day.

Search Underway for Missing Man Who Fell Overboard From Fishing Vessel Near Hawaii

Hawaiian news outlets and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have announced search-and-rescue efforts for a man who went overboard from a fishing vessel.

The 59-year-old man was aboard the Republic of Korea-flagged fishing vessel Oryong 355 and fell overboard at 12:15 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

According to the USCG's report Monday, the incident took place approximately 1,200 miles southeast of the Big Island.

After issuing a SafestyNet broadcast to all ships in the area of the...

Clearwater Seafoods Fined $150,000 Following Fatal Workplace Incident

Nova Scotia shellfish giant Clearwater Seafoods has been hit with a $150,000 penalty following the death of crew member Scott Dicks aboard the company's clam vessel Anne Risley in 2024, according to CBC reporting.

The 36-year-old fisherman from Grand Bank, N.L., was electrocuted after touching a 440-volt space heater that had been improperly rewired by an unnamed employee, CBC's Tom Ayers reported. The heater's original five-prong plug had been cut and replaced with a four-prong plug to fit cook room outlets, where Dicks...

Sysco Delivers Strong Third-Quarter Growth Amid Major Acquisition Plans

Global foodservice distributor Sysco has reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, which ended March 28.

Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the company’s performance, stating, “Sysco delivered strong results in the third quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by continued acceleration in local case volume and expanded gross margins.” He added, “Importantly, our US local volumes grew 3.3%, the highest quarterly rate in over three years. This exceeded our prior commitment...