ANALYSIS: Retail Shrimp Volume Down 12% Year-Over-Year as Prices Reach 12-Year Highs

Current retail shrimp market data reveal a significant shift in consumer purchasing patterns: volume is down 12% year-over-year, while prices have reached levels not seen since 2012. Dollar sales have remained relatively stable at 0.8% growth, indicating that price increases have largely offset volume declines in aggregate revenue terms.

Volume and pricing dynamics

The 12% volume decline reflects reduced shrimp imports into the US market, influenced by elevated costs throughout the supply chain. Despite the volume contraction, retail dollar performance shows minimal change...

ANALYSIS: US Frozen Tuna Supply Tightens as Seasonal Demand Window Nears

The frozen tuna market appears to be entering a firmer phase as tightening supply begins to intersect with the seasonal demand window. Year-to-date imports through March were down 14.4%, marking the eighth consecutive monthly decline from the prior year. The pullback has been led in part by two key suppliers, with Vietnam down 19.1% and Indonesia down 14.4%, reinforcing the view that supply is becoming less comfortable as the market moves toward its stronger summer period. At the same time, market participants report tightening current availability...

Channel Fish Positions Seafood as SNAP Compliance Solution

Channel Fish Processing is targeting SNAP-authorized retailers with a strategic pitch: value-added seafood can help meet the USDA's expanded "real food" requirements while driving profitability. Starting fall 2026, SNAP retailers must stock at least seven varieties across four staple categories—more than double current requirements—with snacks no longer counting toward compliance.

The processor argues seafood fits perfectly into the protein staple category while offering advantages over fresh meat: extended shelf life through freezing, reduced labor complexity, and broad SNAP eligibility for cold, frozen, or packaged products...

Red Lobster's Oldest Operating Restaurant to Close After 56 Years

Red Lobster will shutter its oldest continuously operating location on May 24, marking the end of a 54-year run for the Tallahassee, Florida, restaurant that opened in 1970.

The Tallahassee Democrat confirmed the closure on May 18 after speaking with the restaurant's manager and employees. Red Lobster verified the decision to ABC News the following day.

"This restaurant holds a special place in Red Lobster's history and has been a meaningful part of the community for decades," the company said in a statement...

The Foodservice Industry Highlights Consumer Trends Leadership Moves and Brand Growth

From anxious drive-thru decisions and nostalgic dining room makeovers to executive shakeups and autonomous food deliveries, the restaurant industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. This week’s roundup highlights the trends, leadership moves and consumer insights shaping the future of foodservice as brands look to balance innovation, convenience and value in an increasingly competitive market. 

Explore more from Expana’s biweekly foodservice roundups here. 

Consumer Insights & Research

A Global Payments’ survey of 2,000 US QSR customers uncovers widespread “order anxiety” that’s likely costing...

Friendly’s Rolls Out Summer Menus, Expanded Drinks and Value Updates to Drive Seasonal Traffic

Friendly’s is rolling out a slate of seasonal menu updates and value-focused offerings designed to drive traffic as summer begins, combining limited-time items, expanded beverages and refreshed in-store value options.

“At Friendly’s, summer is all about families and friends coming together to enjoy a mix of tradition and something new, whether that’s a lobster roll, a fun drink or a simple meal that fits the day,” said Dawn Petite, president of Friendly’s Restaurants. “This menu brings...

Premier Dixon and Governor Dunleavy Sign Renewed Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord

Alaska and the Yukon reaffirmed their commitment to several shared issues, including deeper collaboration on research and the ongoing rebuilding of salmon populations in the Yukon River.  

Premier Currie Dixon and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy met during the fifth annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, where they discussed shared northern energy priorities and the Arctic’s growing strategic importance.

Both Dixon and Dunleavy emphasized the close, longstanding relationship between Alaska and the Yukon, including cross-border family and friendship connections, ties among Indigenous communities and a shared commitment to...

Expana Publication Schedule for the Memorial Day Holiday Period

Expana will be observing the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, across its Americas offices, which will impact the publication dates of several Expana Benchmark Prices. The closure will also impact news publications across all platforms.

The European and APAC offices’ publication schedules will be unaffected by this holiday.

The Memorial Day holiday period will affect the following markets:

Haaland to Play Viking in Norwegian Seafood-Backed Film "ViQueens"

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will expand his role as Norwegian seafood ambassador into Hollywood, appearing as a Viking in the upcoming film "ViQueens" scheduled for a December 2026 release.

The Norwegian Seafood Council announced May 18 that Haaland will take on the role of a "legendary Viking known as 'Haaland'" in director Harald Zwart's film, which follows two Viking girls on an adventure highlighting seafood's importance to Viking-era global trade.

The seafood marketing tie-in represents an extension of Haaland's ambassador partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council...

Norway's Seafood Industry Splits Over "Production Fish" Export Ban Reversal

Norway's seafood sector faces a deepening divide after Sjømat Norge, the Norwegian Seafood Federation, announced it would support lifting the country's longstanding ban on exporting uncorrected "production fish" to increase its market access in the European Union.

The industry group informed members of the decision in an internal email on May 15, according to Dagens Næringsliv. Production fish refers to farmed salmon with wounds, injuries, or other defects that currently must be corrected through filleting before export under regulations dating to the early 1990s...

Federal Court Battle Erupts Over South Atlantic Red Snapper Permits

A federal lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., has sparked a high-stakes legal battle over exempted fishing permits that dramatically extend recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic, pitting commercial fishing interests against state fisheries agencies and NMFS.

Commercial fishing groups led by the Southeastern Fisheries Association filed suit May 5 against Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NMFS, seeking to block exempted fishing permits (EFPs) issued May 1 that allow Florida a 39-day recreational red snapper season starting May 22, and Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina...

Scottish Salmon Exports to UAE, Gulf States Set for Boost Under New Trade Framework

Scottish salmon exports are expected to jump after the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) inked a trade deal on May 20.

Salmon Scotland, which describes itself as the voice of Scotland's farmed salmon industry, said the deal will ensure tariff-free access for UK goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, removing 5% tariffs on certain salmon exports.

Last year, salmon exports to the aforementioned countries reached 670 metric tons worth £6.5 million...

Nova Scotia's LFA 33 Lobster Harvesters Gain Jonah Crab Bait Access in Policy Shift

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced May 21 that lobster harvesters in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33 can now retain Jonah crab bycatch for use as bait, addressing climate-driven bait supply concerns in one of Canada's most valuable lobstering regions.

Minister Joanne Thompson said the decision allows LFA 33 harvesters to keep Jonah crab caught incidentally in lobster traps, bringing them in line with practices already permitted in neighboring Areas 34-38. Previously, retention was prohibited due to the area's directed Jonah crab fishery...

Putin Visit Reinforces Russia-China Fisheries Partnership Growth Plans

Russia plans a significant expansion of its fisheries trade with China as demand for Russian fish among Chinese consumers continues to grow steadily.

The expansion of joint fisheries trade was discussed during Putin's recent visit to China. Both countries believe they have significant potential to expand mutual fisheries trade. Current trade dynamics remain positive, and most analysts expect continued improvement in the second half of this year.

According to the latest trade statistics from the Russian Fish Union, fish and seafood trade between Russia and China...

Mexico Launches Multi-Agency Crackdown on Shrimp Smuggling Operations

Mexico's National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) coordinated sweeping anti-smuggling operations across seven states this week, targeting illegal shrimp imports.

The May 18 operations involved joint inspections with customs agency AGACE, health regulator COFEPRIS, the National Guard, and food safety agency Senasica at 15 strategic locations spanning major commercial hubs from Tijuana to Tapachula. Inspectors verified documentation, sanitary compliance, legal origin, and regulatory adherence for shrimp imports and derivatives.

Notably, Conapesca specifically cited protecting domestic producers from "irregular entry of products from non-market economies" – trade terminology...

Steakholder Foods To Launch Perfecta Premium Plant-Based Meat in US Later This Year

Steakholder Foods Ltd. (Nasdaq: STKH), a supplier of whole cuts of plant-based meat using 3D-printing technology, announced plans to launch Perfecta™ Premium Plant-Based Meat in the US market in the second half of 2026.  

The campaign will use the slogan “Plant-Based Meat, Perfected!” and position the products as next-generation plant-based protein options, including Marbled Steak, Filet Mignon, Salmon Patties, Chicken Breasts, and White Fish Patties. 

In a statement announcing the campaign...

Circle Seafoods Sets 2026 Alaska Seine Prices, Holds Pink Base at $0.61

Circle Seafoods announced its 2026 Southeast Alaska seine season base prices, setting pink salmon at $0.61 per pound, chum at $1.07 per pound, and sockeye at $2.50 per pound, with payments processed within weeks rather than months.

The company is maintaining its 2025 final pink price of $0.61 as the 2026 base, citing retail demand built through its Ultra Low Temp Pink Salmon Fillets, now available in 4,000 US stores, including Publix, Whole Foods, H-E-B, and Sprouts Farmers Market...