ANALYSIS: Thai Skipjack Market Faces Ongoing Uncertainty Even as Prices Hold Steady

The Thai skipjack tuna market has been influenced by a range of factors that have shaped price trends in recent months. The clarification of US tariffs at the end of July has provided some direction, confirming that Thailand will be subject to a reciprocal tariff rate of 19%. Thai tuna plays a crucial role in the US canned tuna supply chain, representing 48.5% of total imports in 2024...

Alaska Salmon Landings Now at 84 Percent of Forecast, Due to Lower Pink and Chum Harvests

In an odd but true moment, the only species of Alaska salmon that is currently exceeding pre-season predictions is the extremely scarce Alaska Chinook salmon. As of earlier this week, Chinook landings statewide were nearly 15% above forecasts of 165,000 fish.  

Total landings as of September 2 were 180 million fish, compared to a pre-season estimate of 214 million. 

Actual landings include 52.06 million pounds of sockeye, less than .9 million pounds of the 52.9 million predicted...

High Liner Foods Names New Chief Financial Officer

Canada-based High Liner Foods announced Kimberly Stephens as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on September 3.

The value-added frozen seafood firm stated that Stephens will follow Darryl Bergman, who will be leaving the Company to pursue new opportunities. Bergman will remain with the company as an advisor through October 3 to help the transition process.

"Kimberly is a proven leader who brings deep knowledge of our business and strong financial expertise to the role," said Paul Jewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of High Liner Foods...

Circana Reports Value Menus Drive Restaurant Traffic Growth

This year, many industry players have responded to consumers' demand for affordable value amid turbulent and unpredictable economic times.

The surge in value meals has sparked a competitive wave of advertising and marketing, emphasizing to customers that quality foodservice can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Campaign Spotlight: StarKist Promotes On-the-Go Protein with Tuna, Chicken, and Salmon Pouches

Tuna giant StarKist debuted its ‘Fuel for the Modern Hustle’ campaign that celebrates routines powered by ready-to-eat and lean protein sources.

The campaign coincides with back-to-school season, which means routines, meetings and life in general begin to pick up speed after a relaxing summer season. The company is using its campaign to showcase its snack lines, including its no-prep, portable protein pouches for the on-the-go consumers.

StarKist tapped actress Tiffani Thiessen...

Restaurants Embrace the Autumn Shift

The chill is in the air, and as we welcome a new, crisp month, the industry is gearing up for consumers to embrace autumn flavors and seasonal recipes. With the arrival of the new season, people are swapping their cookout favorites and salads for bonfires, comfort food, and Sunday wings.

Retailers are ahead of the curve, rolling out smoky and savory specials to capitalize on the shift, while some focus on attracting budget-conscious customers amidst rising food and labor costs.

More McValue

Starting September 8, McDonald’s will expand its...

Navigating the Trump Tariff Turbulence: A Comprehensive Timeline

US President Donald Trump and his administration have paused reciprocal tariffs on most countries.

“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown... I am hereby raising the [tariff] charged to China by the [USA] to 125%, effective immediately,” wrote Trump on Truth Social at 1:18 pm ET. 

It’s not clear if this 125% is in addition to the 20% imposed on Chinese imports to the US. In early March, Trump noted that he would add another 10% tariff on Chinese goods...

FDA Finds 36% of Frozen Seafood Samples Short-Weighted; All Violations Detained at US Border

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled results from a sampling assignment focused on testing imported frozen seafood products for short weighting.

The FDA said short weighting can occur in frozen seafood products when the net weight includes the weight of the added water glaze or ice. The addition of water glaze or ice is a common practice to help protect from freezer burn during storage.

However, overstating the net weight of frozen seafood by including the weight of glazing (ice) is not permitted...

FMI Finds Shoppers Forming New Fall Routines Amid Tariff, Price Concerns

FMI – The Food Industry Association, unveiled its new ‘US Grocery Shopper Trends: New Routines’ report that highlights how shoppers are looking to create new routines this fall, while remaining concerned about food prices and the impact of tariffs.

FMI said that the majority of shoppers “show acceptance” to the current state of grocery prices.

“While shoppers' confidence about managing their food expenses was softer in February than last August, it has recovered somewhat over the past six months (79% feel they have at least some control...

SE Alaska Red King Crab Season Opens November 1, Thanks to New Board of Fish Policy

Crab fishermen in Southeast Alaska will have an opportunity to begin harvesting highly sought-after red king crab this fall due to a significant policy shift in management approved by the state last February.  

The change allows a fishery to open under new management rules even if surveys show that the available biomass is less than the long-standing minimum threshold of 200,000 lbs.

The announcement from Alaska's Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is for a regionwide guideline harvest level (GHL)...

Russia Considers Nationalizing JSC Rybolovetsky Kolkhoz Vostok-1 Amid Alleged Foreign Control

Russian authorities may nationalize JSC Rybolovetsky Kolkhoz Vostok‑1, one of the country’s largest deep‑sea fishing enterprises and a leader in snow crab catches, over alleged links to foreign control.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of Primorsky Krai seeking to recover damages from the company. The action centers on the US citizenship of Vostok‑1’s founder, Valery Shegnagaev.

According to the prosecution, audits found that the company had been operating for years under de facto foreign control...

Cermaq Canada Completes Full Salmon Cycle in Ahousaht Territory with Zero Mechanical Lice Treatments

Cermaq Canada said its operations in Ahousaht First Nation territory completed a full salmon production cycle without a mechanical sea lice treatment.

Cermaq Canada, the Canadian arm of major salmon farmer Cermaq, said it conducted 56 mechanical sea lice treatments in 2022 to keep a 1.93 annual lice level. In the past 12 months, the company has conducted zero treatments with a lice level of 0.30.

David Kiemele, Managing Director, Cermaq Canada said:

“This phenomenal result has been the culmination of joint efforts... 

Japanese Seafood Giant Kyokuyo Strengthens European Presence with Stake in Danish Company

Kyokuyo Europe B.V., the European arm of Japan’s Kyokuyo Co., Ltd., has reached an agreement to acquire shares in Engelsviken Canning Norway A/S’s two subsidiaries, Engelsviken Canning Denmark A/S (ECD) and Engelsviken Norway A/S (EN).

Kyokuyo Europe will secure a 90% stake in ECD, making the ECD Group a consolidated subsidiary of Kyokuyo Europe. EN is also part of the Engelsviken group controlled by ECN (Engelsviken Canning Norway A/S).

The deal covers the Danish and Norwegian entities that...

NFI Congratulates Lisa Weddig on Retirement, Welcomes New Chief Science Officer

For nearly twenty years Lisa Weddig has headed up the regulatory and food safety work of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI.) With a degree in food science and technology from Virginia Tech and a master’s in nutrition education from Hood College, Weddig worked for the Food Processors Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association before joining NFI.

“Lisa is admired, respected, and relied upon by the seafood community and has been for almost two decades,” said NFI President and CEO Lisa Wallenda Picard. “Her professional reputation is...

Pokeworks Reports Record Consumer Growth In 2025

Pokeworks, the leading local fast-casual poke brand, is posting record-breaking guest engagement in 2025, powered by strong same-store sales and a rapidly scaling loyalty program. In the first seven months of the year, the brand grew its Pokeworks Rewards loyalty program 4x faster than 2024 and delivered double-digit loyalty sales growth.

Pokeworks partnered with Thanx in November 2024 to modernize its digital guest engagement experience, moving beyond discounts to a more personalized, data-driven rewards program. The rollout introduced a streamlined...

Norway’s August Seafood Export Value Falls; US Values Decline Amid New 15% Tariff

The Norwegian Seafood Council said Norway's seafood exports witnessed a 2% decline in value in August, compared to the same month a year ago. The council highlighted a drop in exports to the US amid increased tariffs of 15% on seafood from Norway and its European Union neighbors.

"The summer of 2025 has been marked by considerable turmoil in the markets. Changes in customs duties on exports to the US are affecting Norwegian seafood exports and posing challenges for the global seafood trade. In addition, increased competition...

Leadership Shakeup at Royal Greenland as Thomsen Named Chairman; H1 Results Show Recovery Path

Royal Greenland appointed Niels Thomsen as its new Chairman of the Board, the company announced on August 28.

"I am grateful for the trust the owner has shown in me by choosing me as chairman of Royal Greenland. When asked to take on a responsibility of this significance, one cannot say no – especially when considering the company's role and importance to the entire Greenlandic community,” Thomsen said.

“Royal Greenland is a cornerstone of Greenland's economy and a key player in the international fishing industry...