ANALYSIS: Weather, Trade Dynamics and Seasonal Demand Drive Firm Lobster Pricing

Over the past several weeks, escalating raw material costs have driven lobster market prices steadily higher, with select sizes now trading at 52-week highs. Severe winter weather across much of the US and Canada, among the harshest in recent years, has only intensified supply challenges. While fishermen are no strangers to rough seas, the added impact of extreme cold has led to iced-over ports and dangerous conditions at sea. As a result, harvest activity has been sharply reduced, with most vessels managing just one...

NPFMC Sets New Measures to Reduce Western Alaska Chum Bycatch During Pollock B Season

History was made at last week’s North Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting convened to address the chum salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fleets during the summer “B” season.

First, Western Alaska residents who rely on chum salmon as a keystone food in their culture and way of life described their loss to the Council and industry stakeholders who attended the meeting or listened online. Over 200 individuals submitted written comments, testified orally before the 11-member panel, and spoke...

ANALYSIS: France Posts Decade‑High Shrimp Imports in 2025

The French National Directorate of Foreign Trade Statistics has released full‑year 2025 figures for shrimp imports. France imported 137,137 metric tonnes of shrimp last year, worth EUR 889.14 million—up 12.2% in volume and 10.5% in value compared with 2024. This is the highest volume in a decade. The totals cover all shrimp species and product forms, but frozen warm‑water shrimp remain the backbone of the trade: HS code 030617 accounts for 84% of import value...

US Department of Commerce Sets Preliminary AD Rates for Vietnamese Frozen Fish Fillet Exporters

The US Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily found that two major Vietnamese pangasius exporters, Bien Dong Seafood Co., Ltd. and NTSF Seafoods Joint Stock Company, sold product at less than normal value during the August 1, 2023, - July 31, 2024 review period.

In total, Commerce found four companies were eligible for a separate antidumping rate in its preliminary review published in the Federal Register on February 11. It also rescinded the review for 16 firms with no shipments, and preliminarily rescinded for 24 others and the...

Mowi Sees 8.3% Growth in Harvest Volume for 2026, Reaffirms Outlook Despite Market Pressures

Mowi closed 2025 with record-high revenues of EUR 5.73 billion ($6.80 billion) and harvest volumes of 559,000 metric tons (MT), capping a year of consistent operational gains despite industry-wide supply pressures that depressed salmon prices throughout the year.

“I am delighted that we are delivering on our strategy and am impressed yet again by the way this whole organisation constantly strives for both record volumes and record revenues throughout the value chain. It is also pleasing to see that costs...

Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Reject Offshore Aquaculture Bill

More than 420 organizations, businesses and community leaders this month sent a joint letter to Congress urging lawmakers to reject the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act of 2025 (MARA Act). The signatories include commercial fishing groups, conservation and advocacy organizations, farmers and local community leaders.

Critics say the bill’s emphasis on “research” would effectively open the door to industrial‑scale fish farms in US federal waters. “MARA creates a one‑way road to permanent, large‑scale offshore fish farms, with no off‑ramps,” said Don’t Cage Our Oceans (DCO2)...

Higgins Urges Trump Administration to Protect US Shrimp Industry in New India Trade Deal

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has addressed a letter to President Trump and senior cabinet officials, advocating for enhanced protections of the domestic shrimp industry following the new trade agreement framework between the US and India, which includes lower tariffs on Indian seafood.

In his letter, Congressman Higgins underscores how vital the wild-caught seafood industry is to Louisiana residents, cautioning that lowering tariffs on Indian imports could flood the market with farm-raised shrimp of less quality.

He pointed out...

McDonald’s Reports Strong US Momentum, Sustained Global Comp Growth

McDonald’s reported fourth-quarter results showing broad-based comparable sales growth across all segments, supported by traffic gains and value positioning, while maintaining operating momentum despite restructuring costs.

"McDonald's value leadership is working," said Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski. "By listening to customers and taking action, we have improved traffic and strengthened our value & affordability scores. That focus helped increase global systemwide sales by 8% and delivered strong comp sales growth across all segments this quarter. The momentum we've built reinforces the progress we've made with...

TUNACONS Strengthens the Protection of Galápagos Through FAD Recovery, Biodegradable Solutions

The TUNACONS Foundation continues to implement the “Cuidando Galápagos” initiative, which includes a prevention and early-response framework aimed at reducing environmental risks associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) and strengthening the protection of sensitive ecosystems in the Archipelago.

An operational protocol based on monitoring and local action

“Cuidando Galápagos” is activated through an alert protocol supported by satellite monitoring, trajectory analysis, and direct coordination with the associated fleet. When a potential drift or grounding risk is detected, coordination is triggered with a local recovery team in the...

Seasonal Menu Trends and Promotions Shaping Valentine’s and Lent in Foodservice

The ever-changing landscape of marketable events has shifted from the holidays, and the foodservice industry is now focusing on winter and spring specials.

With Valentine’s Day approaching and Lent on the horizon, restaurants are preparing seasonal menus that balance indulgent treats with meat- and seafood-focused options, keeping consumers engaged from mid-February through spring.

Expana's experts have collaborated to provide a price index for customers in both the United States and Europe. Expana's US Valentine's Meal Index, which includes beef tenderloin, lobster tail...

FDA Puts Ecuadorian Shrimp Producer SONGA on Red List for Salmonella Risk

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added Sociedad Nacional de Galápagos C.A. (SONGA), a prominent Ecuadorian shrimp producer, to its Import Alert 16-81, which targets seafood products found or suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella. The addition, published February 6, 2026, means SONGA’s shipments destined for the United States will face increased scrutiny and potential detention at the border.

Import Alert 16-81 authorizes the FDA to detain without physical examination (DWPE) seafood products from listed companies when Salmonella contamination is known...

Durham Meat & Seafood Debuts as Holding Group for Seattle Fish, Lombardi Brothers and Other Brands

Seattle Fish Company and Lombardi Brothers Meats, along with Flocchini Family Provisions, Durham Ranch and MacDonald Meat Company, have unified under a single brand: Durham Meat & Seafood. The rebrand was announced on LinkedIn on February 9.

Each operating company will continue to run independently to preserve local relationships and service, the announcement said. Durham Meat & Seafood will serve the foodservice and hospitality, grocery and retail, specialty meat, and national distribution sectors across the five businesses...

NASCAR's Busch Family Reignites Successful StarKist Partnership for a Second Year

In a partnership renewal, the NASCAR family- Kyle, Samantha, and Brexton Busch- is once again joining forces with StarKist, building on a highly successful collaboration last year.

"It's going to be another great year with our friends at StarKist. I grew up with the brand, and I'm a big fan," expressed Kyle Busch. "Daytona sets the tone for a long season with nonstop momentum, and racing 500 miles requires serious focus and energy behind the wheel. I never slow down, so I rely on StarKist's great-tasting...

Canada Launches New Plan For Seafood and Agricultural Sectors to Diversify Markets 

Yesterday, at the annual Policy Breakfast of Food and Beverage Canada, Minister of Agriculture Heath MacDonald announced two new programs to help Canadian food suppliers diversify their markets.

A total of $75 million will be invested in the AgriMarketing Program Market Diversification over 5 years (2026-27 to 2030-31) for the Canadian food sector to better respond to market instability by encouraging greater market diversification.

The action was promised by Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, last September in a speech outlining sweeping economic changes...

UNFI Unveils 2026 Spring and Summer Retail Trends 

As the industry shifts out of the holiday season and into the new year, United Natural Foods (UNFI) has unveiled seasonal trends set to take shape as the weather warms.

The company debuted its 2026 Spring and Summer Trends at its latest retail show, held Feb. 11–12 in Orlando, Fla., with more than 3,400 retailers and suppliers in attendance.

UNFI outlined five trends expected to gain momentum this spring and summer:

1. Health is Wealth: Increased adoption of GLP-1 medications and updated USDA guidelines...

Smoked Fish Producer Big O’Smokehouse Partners With Meijer for Local Endcap Program in Michigan

Michigan-based smoked fish and sausage producer Big O’Smokehouse has partnered with major US retailer Meijer through a local endcap program.

Big O’Smokehouse is a third-generation family-owned business based in the Grand Rapids area. It produces summer sausage, salmon jerky and whitefish dip.

Grandpa O’ and his son, Keith Osterhaven, started Big O’ Smokehouse in 1997, and Keith’s son, Bruce, now leads the company. Bruce’s daughter Ellie manages the operations, and Kendra Higgins leads sales and marketing, Meijer noted in a press release...

A Message from Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resource Kim Damon-Randall

Welcome to Whale Week 2026!

Whales are one of nature’s most awe-inspiring animals. Whale watching tours are so popular, in fact, that they boost U.S. coastal economies. And whales serve as vital indicators of the overall health of the ocean. As long-lived, slow-growing species, the health of both individual whales and their populations’ can provide insights into potential changes or stressors in the ocean.

This year, we invite you to take a deeper dive into several key areas about how...