ANALYSIS: Chilean Salmon Market and Production Update

In April, the average price for whole fresh Chilean Atlantic farmed salmon 4-5 kg in the United States market ($4.65 lbs. - €9.17 kg) rose by 1.9% month-on-month, amidst a stable whole fish market characterized by adequate supply against moderate demand. Despite the generally stable conditions, the Chilean salmon sector is currently facing instability due to a 10% tariff imposed on its products...

Seafood Expo Global 2025: Seafood Excellence Global Awards Announced

The 2025 Seafood Excellence Global awards were announced yesterday evening during a reception in the Galleria of Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue at the 31st Seafood Expo Global (SEG), with finalists representing 15 different countries worldwide.

Of the 40 finalists that were selected this year, nine products were selected as finalists for Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product, and 31 products were selected as finalists for Best Retail Product. Products were evaluated based on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation...

SSA Calls for Commerce Dept. to Investigate Ecuador Shrimp Industry’s Alleged Illegal Practices

As the tectonic shifts in U.S. trade policy are being felt by countries that have provided the U.S. consumer with high-demand goods, U.S. producers of these goods see opportunities for relief from competition and growing markets for their product.

The U.S. demand for shrimp — imported and domestic — presents an opportunity for domestic shrimp producers to expand their market while building protections against future trade conflicts and exposing alleged violations of trade practices in foreign countries. 

Ecuador, the world’s second largest exporter of shrimp to the U.S...

Russia Expects Steady Growth of Crab Supplies to Domestic Market

Crab supplies to the Russian market are expected to grow this year due to the ever-growing demand and consumption of crab from local customers and a significant decline in exports.

According to earlier data provided by the Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), domestic crab supplies in 2024 grew by 20% year-on-year, reaching up to 8,000 tonnes. Given the availability of affordable crab options combined with increased consumption and supply, there is a possibility that that growth will continue this year.

Unlike previous years, crab is no...

Seafood Expo Global 2025 Begins Today in Barcelona

Today marks the start of the 31st edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global (SEG) in Barcelona, which brings together key players of the global seafood industry, including retail buyers, food service and distribution businesses, importers, government and industry leaders, and suppliers for seafood, equipment, and packaging. 

The event is taking place at Fira de Barcelona’s 51,217-net-square-meter Gran Vía Venue between May 6-8.

A total of 2,187 companies from 87 countries and 68 national and regional pavilions are exhibiting this year, totaling an estimated economic impact of...

“I’m Starting to Get Real Upset,” Sullivan’s Frustrated Call for Fisheries Surveys in Alaska

Last week, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, pressed Mr. Paul Dabbar, the nominee who will likely be the new Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, on fisheries stock surveys in Alaska. 

Sullivan pointed out that if staffing and approved funding from the Department are not prioritized, there will be no fishing. Sullivan also demanded that Dabbar and Commerce officials work promptly with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to sign the pending maintenance contract for the Kodiak...

International Coalition of Fisheries Associations to Launch New Seafood Nutrition Toolkit in June

A new Seafood Nutrition Toolkit will be available to the seafood world in early June that will raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of seafood to global audiences, backed by the most recent scientific research. 

The International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA), based in Reston, VA, is working with Global Seafood Communicators, based in Portsmouth, NH, to construct a resource that will assist ICFA and its members in communicating unified messaging on seafood’s health benefits to a wealth of audiences...

Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7

Expana’s global team of specialist reporters has been tracking every twist and turn in the fluid tariff situation.

Click to read "Tariff Talks 2025: Expana's Weekly Rundown #7."

This report allows the Expana community to see where key commodity markets stand as of this past week... Click the above PDF report, or keep scrolling to read in plain text...

GAPP Gets USDA Funds for 2025 Trade Missions, Seeks New Round of Partnership Proposals

The Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), a group focused on marketing and researching Alaska's pollock industry, has been rather active lately, between its receipt of federal funds for exploring emerging markets and the release of its most recent round of Partnership Program funding, for which proposals are now being accepted.

Exploring emerging markets in South America and Asia

Last week, GAPP announced its receipt of federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS) Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to explore emerging markets...

West Coast Fisheries Infrastructure Waxes and Wanes: Part 3

Loss of shoreside docks, hoists, creates multiple problems 

Editor’s note: This is the last of a three-part series on the struggles facing shoreside infrastructure that supports West Coast fisheries. Part 1 discussed the decline in fisheries and infrastructure in the past 20 years. Part 2 discussed the spreading repercussions of infrastructure loss, including a loss of ice plants on which fishermen depend. 

Physical infrastructure like docks and hoists are an equally important part of the infrastructure puzzle. Docks need constant maintenance, but dock work requires extensive permitting...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Take on Foodservice for a Slice of Mother’s Day Spending

Grocers are gearing up to win a slice of Mother’s Day sales, which are traditionally dominated by restaurants and dining out. While foodservice still captures the lion’s share of spending, supermarkets are making strategic plays to compete for consumers' dollars.

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit $34.1 billion this year—up from $33.5 billion in 2024 and just shy of the 2023 record of $35.7 billion. About 84% of US adults are expected to celebrate, spending an average of $259.04 on gifts and festivities...

ANALYSIS: Squid Market Faces New Crosscurrents Amid Recently Imposed Tariffs

Squid continues its volatile trajectory into 2025, with many of the same challenges persisting and one significant new development poised to reshape the broader market landscape.

Supply across most squid species and origins entering the U.S. remains difficult to navigate, a trend that has persisted for some time. Meanwhile, the market continues to show signs of disruption...

West Coast Fisheries Infrastructure Waxes and Wanes: Part 2

Loss of infrastructure and spreading repercussion

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on the struggles facing shoreside infrastructure that supports West Coast fisheries, submitted by Pacific Fishery Management Council Executive Director Merrick Burden. Part 1 discussed the decline in fisheries and infrastructure in the past 20 years.  

Infrastructure problems are particularly acute in California due to depleted salmon populations, closures in the nearshore rockfish fishery, delayed Dungeness crab seasons, changing regulations, and shifting markets. In the early 1980s, between 2,400 and 3,300 commercial boats...

BioMar Reports Volume Increase of 12% in Q1 2025

Aquaculture feed company BioMar recently released its first quarter results for 2025, showing record high volumes for the quarter, combined with solid earnings. 

According to the report, BioMar increased its volumes across all segments by 12% year-on-year. Regarding feed volumes, salmon increased by 7%, selected species went up by 13%, and shrimp increased by 24%, mainly driven by its business in Ecuador.

“I am pleased to conclude that every segment experienced growth in both volume and revenue. In 2024, we intensified our efforts on product mix and commercial excellence..."

Russia Unhappy with Zero Quota for Atlantic Capelin Fishing

Russia is displeased with its zero quota for Atlantic capelin fishing this year, according to earlier statements by German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE).  

As Zverev said in an interview with Russian newswire Ria Novosti, while Norway has a significant 2025 quota for capelin fishing, which it uses as salmon feed, Russia received a zero quota for the same year, despite how important of a fish capelin is for Russians. Zverev also recalled that Russia only caught part of its approved quota for... 

West Coast Fisheries Infrastructure Waxes and Wanes: Part 1

Shoreside fisheries support decreases following limited fishing seasons 

Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series on the struggles facing shoreside infrastructure that supports West Coast fisheries, submitted by Pacific Fishery Management Council Executive Director Merrick Burden. Parts 2 and 3 will be published later this week. 

Stand on a dock in any West Coast fishing town and you will see similar things: worn wood, rusty fittings, and waterlogged docks. For the general public, these are just some of the more obvious signs of an underlying problem that is making fishing off the West Coast exceptionally difficult: The decay and loss of shoreside infrastructure. 

Infrastructure is everything that supports a healthy fishery, from start to finish. It means docks that need to be maintained in the harsh elements; harbors that need to be regularly dredged; fuel docks to keep vessels moving; bait suppliers; and support businesses to sell and store the gear that a fishing boat needs. It means ice to chill the fish; a dock and hoist to land them; a buyer to buy them; a processor to filet and package them; cold storage; and a distribution network and reliable markets, here and abroad, where the final product can be sold. Throughout it all, infrastructure includes reliable, knowledgeable crew, a boatyard for routine maintenance, and repair services for when things go wrong.   

The past few years have been rough for West Coast fisheries.  

Russian Financial Conglomerate AFK Sistema Sells Major Salmon Fishing Asset in Kamchatka

The Russian financial conglomerate AFK Sistema has decided to sell its major fishing asset, Voskhod Holding, one of Russia’s largest Pacific salmon fishing companies, with a business value of approximately RUB 15 billion (USD $183 million).  

The new owner became AO Insoft, which is owned by Russian businesswoman Milana Kerimova.   

At present, Voskhod Holding is considered one of Russia’s largest Pacific salmon producers. The company's main assets are located in Kamchatka, including 30 fishing grounds, six factories, and more than 35 ships. These capacities allow the company...