ANALYSIS: Fuel Surcharges Impact Fresh Salmon Supply Chain

Fresh farmed salmon from Norway, Chile, Canada, and other origins may face rising transportation costs as fuel surcharges begin rolling out across multiple shipment modes, potentially affecting prices for US consumers of this premium protein.

All three major salmon exporters rely on trucking to move products regionally and domestically, but their primary modes of transportation to US markets differ by origin. Norwegian producers primarily use passenger planes for transatlantic transport, Chilean suppliers depend mainly on cargo planes, and Canadian producers rely mainly on trucking and ferry vessels. Additionally, all three farming regions...

Cooke Signs MOU to Acquire Sea Bass, Seabream Producer Avramar Greece

Canadian seafood giant Cooke Inc. announced March 19 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire debt facilities of sea bass and seabream farmer Avramar Greece, alongside an existing agreement to acquire the company's equity.

Upon closing, Cooke will acquire operational control of Avramar Greece, which includes Avramar Aquaculture S.A., Andromeda S.A., Perseus S.A., and Avramar Commercial and Logistics S.A.

The original companies comprising the group were established in 1981 and have grown to become a leader in Mediterranean aquaculture... 

McIlroy's Masters Champion’s Dinner Menu Highlights Premium Seafood Selections

Golf superstar Rory McIlroy's highly anticipated 2026 Masters Champions Dinner menu features multiple premium seafood courses, underscoring the continued prominence of high-end seafood species in one of golf's most prestigious culinary traditions.

The 2026 Champions Dinner takes place during Masters week at Augusta National Golf Club, where only past Masters winners are invited to attend this tradition that has evolved into one of golf's most closely watched culinary events.

The Northern Irishman's menu centers around a first course of yellowfin tuna carpaccio, an homage to a signature dish from...

The Fish Guy Collaborates with eGrocery and Square on Integrated Ecommerce Solution 

A Chicago seafood retailer is enhancing its digital operations through a new ecommerce integration aimed at improving efficiency and customer convenience.

The Fish Guy has implemented an integrated solution powered by eGrowcery and Square, combining online ordering, payment processing, and fulfillment into one streamlined system.

"We're excited to offer a seamless ecommerce experience to our ‘afishionados’ across Chicagoland," said Aaron Rubens. "Thanks to the powerful collaboration between eGrowcery and Square, we can now efficiently handle everything from online ordering to secure payments...

FMI Shares Insights from 'The Power of Seafood 2026' Report

The Food Industry Association (FMI) unveiled a new report at this year's Seafood Expo North America (SENA), made possible by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

"The Power of Seafood 2026" report highlights that a relatively small, yet highly valuable group of frequent seafood shoppers plays a significant role in sustaining sales in the category.

"Just 10% of shoppers account for 40% of all seafood purchases, making frequent seafood consumers the primary driver of category performance" said Steve Markenson Vice President of Research and Insights...

Ireland's Salmon, Spiny Lobster Regain US Export Eligibility After MMPA Review

Ireland's farmed salmon and spiny lobster will be eligible for export to the United States after NOAA Fisheries found the country's fisheries meet US standards, according to a March 16 announcement.

The export ban took effect on January 1, 2026, and was first confirmed by Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Sea‑Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in November 2025, as Expana reported.

The ban was tied to National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) comparability findings under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)...

Canadian Fisheries Minister Champions $6.1B Trade Partnership with US Market

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson led a multi-provincial delegation to Seafood Expo North America, emphasizing the strength of North American seafood trade relationships while addressing industry concerns about evolving trade dynamics.

Thompson's delegation included representatives from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia, reflecting the national scope of Canada's seafood export priorities. The minister used the Boston platform to reinforce Canada's commitment to what she called "fair, stable, predictable, and rules-based trade," supporting both Canadian and American coastal communities...

Senate Hearing Examines ESA Impact on Development and Wildlife Protection

At a Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, discussed key issues surrounding the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), particularly its impact on economic development and its effectiveness in protecting wildlife.

“Because, in some cases, the ESA has, at times, been used to unnecessarily slow down progress, particularly in our timbering and our energy industries […] and actually some of our construction on our highways,” Capito said.

She explored whether...

EU Parliament’s Fisheries Committee Calls to Activate Emergency Crises Fund

The chair of the Committee on Fisheries within the European Parliament wants to activate emergency measures to support fishing fleets facing the rapid rise of fuel prices.  

“The current geopolitical context, especially instability in the Middle East and rising oil prices, is having a direct impact on the European fisheries sector,” said Committee chair Carmen Crespo Díaz. “Fuel represents one of the largest operating costs of the fleet, so the continued increase in prices is putting at risk the economic viability of many vessels...

Premium Brands Reports Record Q4 Results; Clearwater Challenges Continue

Canadian specialty food company Premium Brands Holdings Corporation reported record fourth quarter 2025 results on March 19, with revenue reaching $1.9 billion, up 15.7% from the prior year, though its seafood operations faced continued headwinds.

The Vancouver-based company posted record adjusted EBITDA of $179.5 million, up 20.7%, and record adjusted earnings per share of $1.29, representing a 22.9% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year 2025, Premium Brands achieved record revenue of $7.5 billion, up 15.6%...

USDA Awards $2M to Invasive Catfish Processors in Maryland, Illinois

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that seafood processors in Maryland and Illinois will receive $2 million to create improved markets for invasive wild-caught catfish via the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.

"This investment in the processing of invasive wild-caught catfish not only solves a problem but also adds to the list of ways Secretary Rollins and the USDA are supporting President Trump's America First agenda by investing in economic opportunity and prosperity in rural communities," said USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Programs Administrator JR...

Day 20 of Iran War: Energy Markets Surge Following Gulf Facility Attacks

The US–Israeli war against Iran has escalated across multiple fronts, involving targeted killings of senior Iranian officials and retaliatory strikes on critical energy infrastructure.

Israel attacked the South Pars gas field on Wednesday and carried out assaults in northern Iran for the first time since the war began in late February.

In response, Iran launched missiles at oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, striking Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub...

US-Ecuador Reciprocal Trade Agreement Signed; $2.8B in Agricultural Export Benefits

Ecuador and the United States signed their Reciprocal Trade Agreement on March 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C., eliminating tariffs on 53% of Ecuador's non-oil exports worth $2.786 billion in 2025 trade, with the agricultural sector leading the beneficiaries.

Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers Name Ron Rogness as Interim Executive Director

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) recently announced a change its leadership team. The association named its current Director of Industry Relations, Ron Rogness, as its Interim Executive Director.

"We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Ron’s knowledge and experience to assist in the transition to the new CEO " said GAPP Chairman Jim Johnson. "Ron has been an integral member of the GAPP team for the past five years and understands GAPP, the fishery, and industry as well as anyone. GAPP...

Darden Delivers Strong Q3 as Sales Climb 5.9% YOY

Darden Restaurants reported solid growth in its third quarter of fiscal 2026, with total sales rising 5.9% year-over-year (YOY) to $3.3 billion. This increase was driven by a blended same-restaurant sales gain of 4.2% and contributions from 31 net new restaurant openings.

"We delivered a strong quarter," said Darden President & CEO Rick Cardenas. "We continue to outperform the industry same-restaurant sales benchmark, and this quarter we widened that gap as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen each significantly...

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Feng Foods Trading For HACCP Violations

On Tuesday, March 17, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to the president of Feng Foods Trading Inc., Heng Wen Lin.

In the letter, signed by Program Division Director of the Division of Northeast Imports, Joseph S. Tomao, the agency informed Lin that an inspection conducted on November 20, 2025, at the company’s seafood import facility in New Hyde Park, NY, revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, Title 21, Code of Federal...

New Zealand King Salmon Confirms Katie Bennett as Permanent CFO

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd announced on March 18 the permanent appointment of Katie Bennett as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Bennett has served as interim CFO since November 28, 2025, and was confirmed as the permanent CFO following a comprehensive recruitment process, the company said.

The appointment fills the role vacated by Ben Rodgers, who resigned in August 2025 and departed the company in November. CEO Carl Carrington had praised Rodgers' contribution in advancing the company's organizational and operational capability as the business prepared for "transformational growth...