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...

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...

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...

Strong Demand Drives Cousins Maine Lobster to Open Second Minnesota Truck

Since the start of 2026, Expana has reported on new expansion activity from Cousins Maine Lobster, the fast-casual food truck brand founded by cousins that’s bringing fresh lobster rolls and more to seafood lovers nationwide.

The brand is adding a second truck in Minnesota, where it first debuted in 2025. The new location is set to officially open on April 10. The truck will serve the chain’s signature menu, including it signature Maine lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster grilled cheese, and...

Day 32 of Iran War: US–Israel Strikes Continue Across Iran, Trump Issues New Threats

US and Israeli forces carried out fresh air strikes across Iran on Tuesday as the war entered its 32nd day.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington might strike Iran’s key energy infrastructure, including its main oil export hub at Kharg Island, oil wells, and power plants, if no deal is reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Following Trump's comments, Iran set ablaze a Kuwait‑flagged crude oil tanker off Dubai. The fire was extinguished with no reported oil spill or crew injuries...

UK Protein Producer Hilton Foods Refocuses on Meat as Seafood Unit Struggles

Hilton Food Group is restructuring its seafood operations following a strategic review that revealed the division's limited alignment with the company's core meat processing capabilities, according to the UK processor's 2025 annual results.

The company's UK seafood business, Seachill, became "marginally loss-making at an adjusted operating profit level in 2025," contributing to a 17.2% decline in UK & Ireland adjusted operating profit to £37.5 million. The performance deterioration was driven primarily by volume reductions as inflation pressures affected demand and profitability...

Fishery Product Imports Surged 20% in Japan to 156,000 MT in February, 31% to JPY 169.1 Billion

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on March 27, imports of marine products in February (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish, fishmeal, and seaweed) increased by 20% year-on-year to 156,079 tons, and their value increased by 31% to 169.136 billion yen ($1.06 billion). Imports increased for most fish species, with fresh and frozen salmon and trout increasing by 18% to 24,987 tons, frozen tuna by 25% to 18,262 tons...

Spanish Seafood Giant Nueva Pescanova Achieves Turnaround After Years of Losses

Grupo Nueva Pescanova achieved a €1.1 million net profit in 2025, marking a return to profitability after several consecutive years of losses and signaling the successful completion of its recovery plan.

The Spanish seafood company reported a positive result compared to €37.9 million in losses during the previous year's nine-month period, with twelve-month 2024 losses totaling €91 million. The turnaround exceeded company forecasts, positioning Nueva Pescanova to begin a new phase of development and investment in 2026...

Seafood Expo Global Announces 90+ Industry Speakers for Barcelona Conference Program

Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global has announced its conference program for the 32nd edition, featuring more than 90 international experts leading over 30 educational sessions addressing key industry trends and challenges.

The event, taking place April 21-23 at Fira de Barcelona, will bring together companies from more than 80 countries with speakers representing major organizations including the FAO, World Trade Organization, WWF, and leading seafood companies.

Economist and geopolitical strategist Dr. Nomi Prins will deliver the keynote address titled...

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...

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...

ANALYSIS: Framework 40 Guidelines Released as Atlantic Scallop Pricing Hits All-Time Highs

NOAA Fisheries' announcement of Framework 40 specifications for the 2026-27 Atlantic Sea Scallop season projects landings of 17 million pounds, representing a notable 5.7% decline from the current season's 18.03 million-pound target under Framework 39. The reduction reflects ongoing resource constraints despite recent management adjustments aimed at maximizing fleet flexibility....

ANALYSIS: Norwegian Salmon Harvest Climbs as Spring Warming Threatens Production

The total harvest of Norwegian Atlantic salmon in 2025 was 11.9% higher year over year (YOY). According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, the harvest level through February 2026 was 12.3% higher year-to-date (YTD). However, a seasonal decrease in biomass has been observed, with the volume of Atlantic salmon alive 3.4% lower YOY. Despite the reduction in biomass, market participants remain positive that production will remain stable in 2026...

Wanchese Fish Receives Governor's Award to Support Virginia Seafood Industry

Last Friday, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger awarded Wanchese Fish Company, Inc., a $248,000 grant to expand production capabilities at its Suffolk facility. The grant is part of the Governor’s Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program, designed to support Virginia’s seafood industry. Wanchese will invest in advanced automation equipment for their retail-packed blue catfish line. 

Wanchese — a family-owned company that is part of Cooke Seafood USA, Inc. — bought approximately one million pounds of blue catfish in 2025 from local fishermen...

Atlantic Sapphire Secures $10 Million Bridge Loan Securing Near-term Operations

Atlantic Sapphire ASA has secured a $10 million bridge loan from its key investors while increasing the potential buyout offer price to NOK 0.80 per share as part of broader refinancing discussions, the land-based salmon producer announced March 27.

The bridge loan provides up to $10 million in two $5 million tranches, carrying 12% annual interest and a 15% origination fee, with maturity set for May 15, 2026. The facility ranks senior to Atlantic Sapphire's existing convertible loan and can be extended if parties...

ALDI US Debuts New Nationwide Digital Experience Using Instacart's Enterprise Technology

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, and ALDI U.S., America's fastest-growing grocer, today launched a redesigned ALDI U.S. website, aldi.us, and mobile app. The enhanced experience offers a more seamless, personalized way for customers to shop their favorite ALDI products online, powered by Instacart's Storefront Pro enterprise commerce platform and fulfillment solutions. Instacart first began powering fulfillment for ALDI U.S. in 2019, and is now the retailer's exclusive fulfillment partner across their website and app...