ANALYSIS: Official US Shrimp Imports Reveal Product Mix Shift

US Shrimp import data was released on Thursday. Expana’s forecasts largely fell within model error bands; shell‑on volumes were the notable outlier, consistent with the trends previously flagged:

- shell-on below or on the low range

- peeled above, or on the high range; this time, peeled was well within the range.

- cooked and breaded within the range.

The above by‑type outcomes explain why the total came in below some headline expectations. The “by type” breakdown remains essential to understanding market dynamics...

ANALYSIS: Pacific Halibut Hit Record Highs While Atlantic Maintains Seasonal Flow 

The 2026 Pacific halibut season quota has been set at 29.33 million pounds coastwide, marking the lowest total allowable catch in the more than 100 year history of the fishery. U.S. allocations are largely unchanged from 2025, while British Columbia’s quota was reduced by roughly 7 percent as ongoing stock concerns persist. Under the International Pacific Halibut Commission framework, the season is scheduled to run from March 26 through December 7, 2026, continuing the emphasis on conservation and a tightly constrained harvest profile...

Koikoi Trading Recalls FU ZHOU FISH BALL for Undeclared Allergens

The FDA recently published a recall issued by Koikoi Trading inc, the manufacturers of FU ZHOU FISH BALL from the Yaba brand.

According to the alert, these items contain allergens (wheat and sesame) that have not been declared on its packeging. 

These items were distributed through foodservice and e-commerce channels and may have reached consumers in states including CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, TX, NJ, IL, MA, GA, AZ, NV, CO.

Affected products have a 24 month shelf life and include:

• 200g (consumer pack)...

GBH News to Premiere New Podcast: Catching The Codfather

GBH News today announced the upcoming premiere of Catching The Codfather, a new podcast from the Peabody Award-winning team behind The Big Dig and Scratch & Win. Catching The Codfather traces the true-crime story of New England fishing tycoon Carlos Rafael, his controversial rise, and the federal sting operation that finally brought him down exactly 10 years ago this month. The six-part limited series, the latest season of GBH News’ The Big Dig™ podcast, is hosted by Ian Coss...

ANALYSIS: US Scallops See Higher Landings and Lower Fuel Costs, Yet Prices Remain Elevated

The domestic scallop market presents a notable contrast as operational conditions show some improvement while pricing remains elevated. Diesel fuel costs have declined through late 2025 and into early 2026, providing some relief to vessel operations amid broader industry challenges. Additionally, domestic landings increased 10.5% in 2025, adding supply to a market that has faced constraints in recent periods.

Despite these developments, domestic scallop prices across categories continue at elevated levels, with U/10s remaining significantly above historical averages and 10/20s tracking...

GSMC 2026: Wells Fargo’s Jansen Says Supply Chain Healthy as Tariffs, Trade Shifts Force Adjustments

Wells Fargo's Jeremy Jansen told Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) attendees that the global supply chain is generally healthy, even as tariffs and shifting trade flows prompt buyers and suppliers to adjust their sourcing and financing.

Drawing on the bank's “pressure gauge” of 15 logistics, price, labor and inventory indicators benchmarked to pre‑COVID levels, he said most signals are green: container costs that spiked above $10,000 during COVID are back in the low‑to‑mid thousands, labor tightness at ports and warehouses...

Baja Fresh Debuts Blackened Citrus Menu

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has introduced its new Blackened Citrus menu, featuring a house-made citrus orange salsa and a trio of new offerings available as a bowl, burrito, or taco combo.

"Our new Blackened Citrus menu items bring together your choice of smoky, seasoned protein with a bright citrus finish to create a bold and balanced flavor," said Logan Reves, vice president of restaurant operations at Baja Fresh. "Baja Fresh remains true to its roots of serving fresh, flavorful food while continuing to innovate, giving customers...

Coast Guard Halts Illegal Use of "Paper Captains" in WA-Based Tuna Fishing Operation

The Coast Guard ceased the use of illegal foreign nationals on a commercial fishing vessel that operated out of the State of Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 19.

A Coast Guard Sector Columbia River law enforcement team inspected an 89-foot fishing vessel and determined that the vessel was in violation of the Jones Act - specifically, they were in violation for utilizing a "paper captain.”

Paper captain is a term applied to an individual listed on documents as a U.S.-flagged vessel's captain but in actuality...

ANALYSIS: US Shrimp Import Estimates Show Modest Gains in November and December

Imports for November 2025 will be released this Thursday morning. Below are the October tables (for reference), along with our forecast estimates for November and December. Pricing continues to show sporadic downward pressure on HLSO, PDTO, EZ-Peel and PDToff (naturally, less pressure on peeled). These fluctuations suggest the market may be near a bottom, but ongoing data collection will confirm if these marginal price declines persist...

Hilton Foods Cautious on 2026 as Greek Smoked Salmon Export Ban to US Drags On

Hilton Food Group expects its 2025 adjusted profit before tax to land between £72–75 million, in line with earlier guidance, but has warned that ongoing restrictions on smoked salmon exports from its Foppen facility in Greece to the US will persist into at least the first half of 2026, alongside ongoing protein inflation pressures.

In a Jan. 29 trading update, the UK-based multi-protein supplier said net bank debt is set to finish 2025 at roughly £135 million, reflecting recent divestments...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Key Developments in Weather, Trade, and Market Trends

This week on Expana, headlines brought together a dynamic mix of extreme weather, evolving trade disputes, and shifts across consumer and corporate landscapes. A major winter storm disrupted US infrastructure and supply chains, while new tariff threats reshaped trade flows in seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing. Together, these developments highlight growing pressures across food, commodities, and retail sectors worldwide. Below, Expana presents the top 10 stories influencing markets, trade, and consumer sentiment this week- In no particular order.

10. Winter Storm Grips Much...

Kura Sushi USA Partners with Sanrio for Hello Kitty Dining Experience Amid Growth

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a pioneer of America’s revolving sushi restaurant concept, has announced its third partnership with Sanrio, introducing a Hello Kitty and Friends Bikkura Pon dining experience across all 84 Kura Revolving Sushi Bar locations nationwide.

The limited-time promotion will run from February 1 through February 28.

Under the Bikkura Pon program, customers receive their first prize after completing 15 sushi plates, a second reward after 25 plates, and additional prizes for every 15 plates...

Norwegian Salmon Leader Mowi Launches Processing Facility to Serve Thailand Market

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi opened its first processing plant in Thailand this week, according to Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council's director for Southeast Asia.

The facility was built alongside the largest salmon importer and retailer in Thailand, CP Axtra, according to Nakken’s LinkedIn post. The partnership will see Mowi supply salmon products to CP’s customers through its retail chains and the foodservice sector.

“Today marks a meaningful step forward, not only for Mowi and CP Axtra but also for the future of...

Ode Scores Milestone as Top Cod Supplier in Norway, Acquires 3 Farming Sites

Norwegian cod farmer Ode, after celebrating its spot as the top supplier of cod out of Norway in 2025, announced a deal to acquire three farming sites from Vesterålen Havbruk, it announced on January 27.

Ode said the sites Apalset, Stokkeneset, and Rekvika previously belonged to the listed company Statt Torsk and became part of Vesterålen Havbruk following the 2024 merger. Since 2024, the Rekvika site has been operated jointly by the Ode and Vesterålen Havbruk, while the other two sites...

Russia Plans Major 2026 Catch Increases for Crab, Fish Species

Russia plans to significantly raise total allowable catch quotas for specific fish species and crabs in 2026, based on data from recent scientific expeditions.

Rosrybolovstvo reports that greenling quotas in the North Kuril subzone will increase by 54.1% to 18,500 tons. Cod quotas in the South Kuril subzone are set to grow by 8.7%, while whelk quotas in the North Okhotsk subzone will rise by 19%.

Crab quotas will also see increases due to significant stock growth. Kamchatka crab catch limits in the West Sakhalin subzone...

GOMSO 1,000-Year JOTGAL Launches “Kkini-Kkini,” a Single-Serve Korean Fermented Seafood Brand

GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL has introduced "Kkini-Kkini," a new brand that translates to "each and every meal" in Korean. This product offers a single-serve portion of Jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

"Our goal is to position our products as a versatile K-Superfood that adds healthy depth to any global cuisine," said a spokesperson for GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL. "By introducing this portable Korean traditional fermented seafood to the international market, GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL...

2025 Survey: Pollock Biomass Down by 30%, Snow Crab Up by 51% in Eastern Bering Sea

The walleye pollock biomass dropped by 30% from 2024, according to results of the annual eastern Bering Sea trawl survey, but a much smaller portion found in the northern Bering Sea rose by 50.6% YOY. 

Pollock is the largest contributor of biomass in both the eastern and northern Bering Sea. It accounts for 28% of the EBS and 23% of the NBS, making it the largest US commercial fishery.  

Even with a 30% drop in biomass, there is enough for the conservation-led...