ANALYSIS: Pacific Halibut Market Enters 2026 Season With Firm Undertone

The 2026 Pacific halibut season opened on March 26 and will run through December 7, with the market once again entering the year under a tight supply backdrop. The new season follows a sharply reduced 2025 harvest, as commercial landings fell 12.9% year over year, according to IPHC data. That decline marked one of the lowest-producing seasons in recent years and helped drive record-high prices across both the fresh and frozen markets, as reduced landings limited fresh availability and left little opportunity to build meaningful frozen inventories...

High Liner Slashes 9% of North American Office Staff Amid Tariff, Input Cost Pressures

High Liner Foods laid off roughly 9% of its North American office workforce in a move to "further align its cost structure with current market conditions," the company announced on March 31.

The value-added frozen seafood company said the 35 departures are part of a broader set of moves, including margin management, cost reduction, and supply chain efficiency efforts. The moves are aimed at mitigating the impact of inflation, tariffs and higher input costs and at improving its value proposition to customers and consumers...

DOT Allocates $489M for US Port Improvements to 'Restore Maritime Dominance'

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced a total of $488,628,000 in funding to restore American maritime dominance and revitalize American ports, shipyards and maritime capabilities.

Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today will allocate the funding through a process of applications.

“Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Duffy, we are investing in much-needed port infrastructure that will strengthen our supply chains,” said MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel. “America’s ports fuel our economy, bolster domestic energy, and cut costs for hardworking families, making them worthy of taxpayer investment...

Lubimar Sea Bass and Seabream Farm is First Certification to ASC Farm Standard

A family-owned sea bass and sea bream farm on the southwestern coast of Spain has become the first farm in the world to receive certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) under their new Farm Standard. 

CUPIBAR, known also as Lubimar, produces 2,000 metric tonnes of fish per year in a unique estuarine system built on former salt fields. 

Located in the protected Parque Natural de la Breña y Marismas del Barbate south of Cadiz, Lubimar is an example of farming fish in harmony with nature...

Avanti Feeds Secures 10% Stake in New Ecuadorian Aqua Feed Venture

India's Avanti Feeds is expanding into South America through a strategic $3 million investment, it said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The company's board has approved acquiring a 10% stake in Thai Union Feedmill Ecuador S.A.S., a newly incorporated entity.

The venture, established in partnership with Thai Union Feed Mill Public Company Limited, will manufacture and distribute aquaculture feed, strengthening Avanti's market presence in Ecuador's aquaculture sector.

Private-Label Brands Surge Across US and Global Markets, Circana Reports

According to two new reports from Circana, private-label brands are rapidly expanding across CPG and FMCG markets, led by food and beverage in the US, where private label holds a 24% value share in those aisles. The data shows the sector has evolved into a strategic growth driver for retailers and has built strong momentum recently.

Circana’s global research, Category Transformation or Simply Competition: A Global Private Label Perspective, explores regional approaches to private brands across the European Union, Australia, and the...

The Retail Rundown: Ham Leads the Holiday Table as Promotions Surge

During Easter week, pork dominates the spotlight, accounting for 30% of all protein promotions. Within this category, ham stands out as the clear leader, making up 37% of all pork features and the highest share in the segment. Promotional activity has surged dramatically, with approximately 13,583 ham-related opportunities this week, a sharp increase from about 1,300 the week prior.

Data from Expana’s US Easter Index shows that wholesale prices for key holiday items have generally declined in 2026. The overall index dropped about 7% year-over-year (YOY)...

Gulf Menhaden Fishery Earns Recertification From MSC, Audit Confirms Minimal Bycatch

The Gulf of Mexico purse seine fishery for menhaden was recertified as sustainable from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) yesterday, after a rigorous audit that looked at the fishery’s stock health, bycatch rates, environmental impacts and regulatory oversight among other management factors. 

The Gulf menhaden fishery was first certified in 2019. 

"Achieving recertification against the MSC Fisheries Standard reflects strong, ongoing stewardship of the resource, including careful monitoring and a clear focus on simultaneously maintaining healthy menhaden populations and protecting the marine ecosystem," said Marin Hawk...

Aquaculture IS Agriculture, Canadian Fish Farms Want Inclusion in the Next Policy Framework

Canada’s fish farming sector has made a case to 13 federal, provincial, and territorial ministers that aquaculture should be recognized more fully as an agri-food sector. The eight leaders of industry aquaculture associations were specific in the areas where their sector should be included. 

First, aquaculture should be eligible for all Federal Strategic Initiatives (in addition to the current AgriMarketing and AgriAssurance programs), with priority given to AgriInnovate. 

Second, aquaculture should be eligible for activities in the Multilateral Framework Agreement between the federal-provincial-territorial governments...

Southeast Alaska Troll Chinook Limit Jumps 57% to 146,000 Fish for 2026

Yesterday, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that the annual all-gear allowable catch limit for Southeast Alaska/Yakutat (SEAK) is 207,400 treaty Chinook salmon, or non-Alaska hatchery-produced Chinook salmon.  

This year’s all-gear catch limit includes a 1% reduction that will serve as a buffer to avoid exceeding the all-gear limit and payback provisions within the treaty.  

The resulting preseason troll treaty harvest allocation for 2026 is 146,000 Chinook salmon, which is 53,200 fish above the preseason limit available in 2025...

18 Pacific Rockfish Species Could Get 'Snapper' Market Name Under FDA Proposal

The FDA announced Tuesday that it is requesting information on a potential update to the acceptable market name for 18 species of Sebastes, commonly known as rockfish. The request follows legislation enacted in November 2025 that directed the agency to engage with stakeholders on an acceptable market name change for certain Sebastes species.

The Federal Register notice says the request will help the FDA make an evidence-based determination that balances food safety, regulatory clarity, and industry interest. The species under consideration are Sebastes alutus...

Erling Haaland Renews Norwegian Seafood Ambassador Deal Until Autumn 2028

Norwegian football (soccer) star Erling Haaland has signed a new contract, and no, not for a new team in the Premier League.

Haaland has extended his partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), where he will continue to serve as an ambassador and partner for Norwegian seafood.

Haaland’s work alongside the council began in 2024, and the new agreement will see Haaland work alongside the council through autumn 2028.

“I’m very happy to continue the partnership with Norwegian seafood. It feels natural to me, and it’s something...

Pure Salmon Japan Secures $180 Million Fortress-Led Funding for Land-Based Salmon Facility

Pure Salmon Japan, previously known as Soul of Japan, announced the completion of a $180 million funding round led by a Fortress Investment Group fund on April 1.

This transaction completes the preferred note financing for this project, marking a significant milestone in the development of the land-based salmon farming facility currently under construction in Japan. The company comprises a group of firms under the 8F Asset Management umbrella.

"Pure Salmon Japan is one of the key projects in our global Pure Salmon platform...

BSF Links Lenten Seafood Price Increases to Import Challenges

According to BSF (formerly Beaver Street Fisheries), in an interview with News4JAX, tariffs, shipping delays, and supply chain disruptions have led to higher-than-usual prices for frozen seafood in the southeastern United States.

BSF said current consumer prices for staples like cod and shrimp reflect global market conditions amid the spike in demand for Lent. 

The interview was framed around consumers noticing rising seafood prices amid the Lenten season in the southeastern US.

During the interview, Mark Frisch, the company's owner...

Princes Group Warns of Price Pressures From Middle East Tensions

UK food giant Princes Group is bracing for potential cost increases linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions, particularly around Iran, as the company monitors impacts on energy and raw material markets following its strong 2025 performance.

The Liverpool-based company, which owns brands including Princes, Napolina, and Branston, highlighted ongoing uncertainty in international markets stemming from Middle East conflicts in its preliminary results released Monday. Management specifically cited "the situation in Iran" as a key concern for commodity price volatility...

Kaldvik Secures Financing Relief as Losses Mount

Kaldvik, the fully integrated company which controls the value chain from hatchery to sales, said in an Oslo Stock Exchange statement that it had successfully concluded negotiations with its lenders, who accepted several measures for the current fiscal year.

In the last quarter reported, it revealed a loss of €10.6 million (£9m) following a lackluster winter. 

The company said its lenders agreed to increase availability under the revolving facility for 2026 by applying a less conservative borrowing-base calculation, though the facility...

Day 33 of Iran War: US, Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran Amid Diplomatic Deadlock

US and Israeli airstrikes have continued across Iran, targeting industrial and civilian infrastructure, including steel plants and pharmaceutical factories, according to Iranian state media and officials.

US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to deliver a White House address this evening, said the war could be wrapped up within two to three weeks even without a formal agreement. He warned he might reconsider America’s commitments to NATO if European allies do not play a larger role in countering Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz...