Record Prices, Record Imports, Record Shifts — 2025 Crab Trade Turns Upside Down

The holiday period remains the most active stretch of the year for global king and snow crab, and this season is no different. Alaska red king crab has entered December holiday channels, while harvesters have now shifted to the largest Bairdi (Tanner) snow crab harvest seen in more than a decade. Prices for red and golden king crab remain at record highs and have shown little elasticity throughout the year despite broader economic uncertainty.

Attention across the industry has sharpened around the US...

US Seafood Industry Calls to Protect USMCA Duty-Free Trade Framework

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI)’s Director of Public Policy, Morgan Bell, delivered testimony before the US International Trade Commission this week, underscoring the essential role of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in supporting a thriving North American seafood trade.

Speaking on behalf of the entire commercial seafood value chain — from harvesters and processors to distributors and retailers — Bell highlighted the remarkable growth in seafood exports under the USMCA since its 2019 implementation. American seafood exports to Mexico have surged 65%...

Trump Admin Roundtable Discussion: Bridge Payments to Farmers, Soybean Purchases, Fair Trade, EUDR

On December 8, US President Trump held a roundtable meeting with members of the US farming community, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and others at the White House to announce monetary support to farmers impacted by the US trade policy. 

The administration announced plans to provide $12 billion in tariff income-fueled support for farmers, to address the high costs of farm equipment, and to examine anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain...

Russia, India Set Ambitious Fisheries Cooperation Agenda Post-Putin Visit

Russia plans to expand cooperation with India in the fisheries sector, following agreements made during Russian President Putin's recent visit to India.

The plans include establishing joint ventures focused on maritime logistics, deep-sea fishing, and fishing port automation.

Russia is especially optimistic about increasing Indian seafood imports, with particular emphasis on shrimp supplies. According to Russia’s Agriculture Minister Oksana Luth, India remains a leading shrimp supplier to Russia and imports are expected to grow further in 2026.

“India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp...

Japan Kamaboko Association Seeks Support Amid Surimi Price Challenges

The Japan Kamaboko Association, an organization of kamaboko (surimi product) manufacturers, issued a press release on December 5th, calling attention to the plight of the kamaboko industry, which is being forced to adopt harsh management measures due to soaring production costs.

In an effort to improve the value and quality of surimi products:
The rapid rise in surimi product production costs has continued since last year and shows no signs of slowing. In particular, the price of surimi, a key ingredient, has been increasing since 2024...

Instacart App Launches in OpenAI ChatGPT 

Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced that it is the first grocery partner to launch an app on ChatGPT and the first to offer an embedded, end-to-end shopping and Instant Checkout -- all within the context of a ChatGPT conversation. This new integration makes it easier than ever for people to go from meal inspiration to doorstep delivery, using Instacart's real-time grocery network and fulfillment capabilities with the help of OpenAI frontier model capabilities.

"Instacart and ChatGPT are redefining what's possible in AI-powered shopping," said Anirban...

Oregon Opens Dungeness Crab Season Dec. 16, North Coast Still Delayed

In a move welcomed by holiday revelers anxious for crab before Christmas and many crab fishermen, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a mid-December opening for Dungeness crab south of Cape Falcon, Ore., to the border with California.

The season will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, with a pre-soak period that starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Pre-season testing showed all crab in Oregon was above the criteria for quality and clear...

US Trade Representative Pressed to Address Gray Zone Rules Amid USMCA Discussions

Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) sent a letter to US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, urging updated rules for the Gray Zone, a 277-square-mile area of ocean near Machias Seal Island that is fished by both the US and Canada and remains one of America's only contested maritime borders.

Golden’s letter came amid testimony from two Maine fishermen to the International Trade Commission (ITC) last week. The meetings focused on potential changes to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)...

Pacific Halibut Stock Assessment at End of 2025 Shows Continued Trend of Low Productivity

The annual stock assessment of Pacific halibut, the world’s largest flatfish, reveals little change in the biomass of the stock that ranges from Alaska’s northern Bering Sea to California's Monterey Bay.  

Commercial landings in 2025 as of December 1 were 16.7 million lbs., down 16% from that time last year. This year, that reflected only about 80% of the catch limit allowed in 2025. Total mortality was 28.8 mlbs, down 12% from last year, and marks the lowest in 100 years...

National Fisheries Institute Announces New Additions to its Board of Directors

The National Fisheries Institute’s (NFI) members approved a new slate of Directors of the Board at its Annual Membership Meeting. 

NFI’s bylaws allow for a 51-person Board, with 45 at-large Directors. There is an 18-person Executive Committee drawn from the Board and six officers. NFI elects a new slate of board members annually to serve three-year terms. 

“Our Board is made up of a who’s who in seafood and I am humbled by the executives who give so...

Global Fishing Watch and Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory launch Deep-Sea Mining Watch

Global Fishing Watch, an international nonprofit organization advancing ocean governance through transparency of human activity at sea, and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have unveiled an upgraded open-access portal designed to bring unprecedented transparency to vessels engaged in emerging mineral exploration in the depths of the ocean, the two organizations announced today.

The new and improved Deep-Sea Mining Watch provides a dynamic view of vessel activity linked to seabed mineral exploration, allowing users to monitor the movements of...

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...

ANALYSIS: Lighter Imports, Firmer Prices, Tariff Cost Pressure Define US Fresh Seafood Markets

Fresh imported seafood volumes remain compressed across several key species, resulting in a thinner replacement pipeline into major US distribution channels. According to US Census data through August 2025, cumulative arrivals of fresh mahi-mahi, swordfish, and grouper are all trailing their prior-year pace. This decline reflects not only persistently soft foodservice demand but also lingering impacts from El Niño, which has disrupted catch rates, migratory behavior, and harvest consistency in key production zones throughout Central and South America...

Norway’s November Seafood Exports Fall as Asia Gains Share While US, Europe Lose Ground

Norway saw its seafood exports fall from a value standpoint for the second month in a row, as US tariffs led to market shifts, and the increased value of the Norwegian krone has made the country’s seafood products more expensive, according to the latest update from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

“This is the second month in a row that seafood exports have fallen in value compared with the same month last year. In November, even historically high prices were unable to compensate...

Japan: Imports of Frozen Alaskan Salmon Roe Doubled to 3,184 Tons, Russian Roe Minimal

According to the Minato Shimbun report, imported frozen salmon roe is selling at unusually high prices this season. The domestic sales price for Russian pink and chum salmon roe has exceeded 10,000 yen/kg ($64.34/kg). This is even higher than last season's steep price hike, and there have been almost no imports up to September. Imports from the United States are on the rise. 

The domestic sales price for frozen Russian roe from the latest season in November was...

Russian Crab Exports to China Up 15% YTD; Competition Expected to Tighten

Russia expects a significant tightening of competition in the Chinese crab market in the coming years as demand rises with China’s expanding middle class, Alexander Dyplyakov, head of the Russian Far East Crab Association, said.

Dyplyakov noted that growing Chinese affluence is attracting interest from multiple producing countries, intensifying competition for market share. Despite the expected pressure, Russia posted solid results in the Chinese crab market this year.

Based on an analysis of Chinese customs data, the Russian Fish Union reports that Russia exported 32,000 tons...

The Winding Glass: Crab to Put a Damper on Holiday Retail Sales

Every aspect of the snow crab market this year has been impacted by the tariff turmoil of last April, just when the season was getting underway. 

The primary impact was to front-load exports from Canada to the US as much as possible, so most of the crab pack was imported by the end of July.  Crab followed its seasonal pattern of increasing prices after July as supplies tightened, but retail contracts were mostly made near the lowest price points of the year...

United Kingdom: New Seafood Export Requirements Will Apply From January 2026

The UK will require seafood exporters to provide new information to generate IUU documentation through the Fish Export Service (FES) from the evening of 8 January. This change comes slightly earlier than the EU’s requirement, which takes effect on 10 January. We’ve chosen this earlier date to avoid launching changes over a weekend and to ensure we can provide the best possible support when the new rules go live.

From 17:00 on 8 January FES will be unavailable while the necessary updates are made...

2026 Pollock TAC Steady for Bering Sea, Aleutians, Bogoslof with Revised Regional Allocations

The 2026 total annual catch (TAC) for pollock has been set at the same level as last year — 1.394 million metric tons (mmt) in the Bering Sea (BS)/Aleutian Islands (AI) and Bogoslof area. The difference is how the TAC is allocated this year, with the biggest change in the AI, although at a much smaller scale than the Bering Sea's pollock TAC. 

In the Bering Sea, the 2026 TAC dropped from 1.389 mmt last year to 1.375 mmt in 2026...

FDA’s 30-Month Traceability Rule Extension Draws Spotlight as January Deadline Nears

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first proposed in August 2025 to extend the compliance deadline for its Food Traceability Rule (FTR) by 30 months—a move that, if finalized, would push the date from January 20, 2026, to July 20, 2028.

As of now, companies are still required to comply by January 2026, which is just over a month away. This looming deadline, coupled with the proposal’s uncertainty, has sharply heightened industry anxiety, with some warning of possible operational shutdowns or severe disruptions for those unable...

ANALYSIS: Farmed Salmon Market Hits Four-Year Low Amid Strong Retail Promotion

The farmed salmon fillet market has entered December at a striking benchmark – prices are at a 52-week low and, more notably, the lowest point seen in the past four years. Despite this depressed market level, retail advertising for 2025 continues to climb above 2024, maintaining a trend observed throughout the year.

Retail Promotions at Record Highs

Buying opportunities for farmed salmon are currently 6.4 percent higher than last year, and the total number of retail ad promotions is at the highest level recorded in all years tracked...

ANALYSIS: Stone Crab Prices Hit Lowest Levels Since COVID as Supply Surges

The stone crab market has experienced pronounced weakening in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, with prices declining from levels typically expected at season openings as landings ramped up significantly. While the season began in October at pricing levels consistent with historical season starts, colossal stone crab claws have since retreated to $30.00 per lb., reflecting a market where supply has consistently outpaced demand. In fact, pricing is the lowest observed for this time of year since COVID in 2020 and currently sits...

GlobeScan Survey Shows Two-Thirds of Consumers Trust the BAP Label, Prompting 2026 Consumer Campaign

New research conducted by GlobeScan for the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) surveyed a minimum of 1,000 consumers in five key countries: Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The consumers surveyed were those who had purchased seafood in the last six months and/or consumed fish or seafood in the last year. The survey sought to understand purchasing decisions related to seafood and certification labels like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and how to communicate with consumers about responsible sourcing...

Seafood Task Force Debuts Tuna Crew Grievance Pilot

The Seafood Task Force (STF) has officially launched its Workers' Voice & Grievance Mechanism pilot project for tuna crew members, selecting Humantics and Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC) to help implement the program. This workstream marks a significant milestone in the STF's commitment to protecting migrant fishers and establishing credible pathways for workers to safely report grievances without fear of retaliation.

Following a rigorous proposal review process, Humantics and HRC were selected by STF member consensus at the October 2025 Summit, where tuna subgroup members voted on five finalist proposals. Humantics secured...

ANALYSIS: November US Shrimp Import Estimates Signal Sharp Monthly Drop

Estimated US imports for November show a pronounced month‑on‑month contraction, with a central forecast roughly 30% below November 2024 levels and a stated margin of error near 5%. On a year‑to‑date basis through November, imports are about 3.6% above last year; preliminary December projections based on export flows place full‑year imports between roughly 125–141 million pounds for December, a wide range that still implies 2025 could finish flat with or below 2024 totals. Under those outcomes...

Alaska Pollock Biomass Drops 30%, But Federal Shutdown Delays Stock Assessment Process

A summer survey of the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) showed a 30% drop in the biomass of Walleye pollock in the area compared to a 2024 survey. 

Results of the 2025 Eastern and Northern Bering Sea Bottom Trawl Survey, which were released to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s groundfish plan team in September, showed a drop from last year’s 5.5 million metric tons to a current 3.8 million metric tons of pollock in the area. 

Other species also showed drops in biomass: Pacific cod dropped...

NFI Set to Testify Before the USTR at the International Trade Commission on USMCA

Morgan Bell, Director of Public Policy at the National Fisheries Institute, will testify at the International Trade Commission on Friday December 5 at 11:15am as part of a hearing on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Bell will urge the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to reaffirm the Administration’s commitment to the agreement and preserve its existing market access for all fish and seafood products.

“In an era of global trade volatility, the USMCA provides a dependable framework that shields U.S. seafood...

Maruha Nichiro Completes Full Acquisition of Seafood Connection to Cement European Hub

Japanese seafood giant Maruha Nichiro fully acquired Seafood Connection (SCH), a Dutch seafood company, the company announced on December 3.

Currently, Maruha owns 81.96% of Seafood Connection and the move will now make Maruha the 100% owner. Maruha said the Netherlands-based firm serves as its sales base of for its seafood products in the European market.

“SCH is expected to continue achieving strong growth in Europe, which is an important hub in the Company’s overseas strategy,” Maruha Nichiro said in an announcement...

Government of Canada Commits to Adaptive Management Approach to Conserve and Protect American Eel

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting aquatic species while supporting the cultures, communities and industries that depend on them. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes that the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is culturally and spiritually important for many Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Ontario, and that it also supports valuable fisheries on the East Coast.

After considering the best available scientific and socio-economic data, and comments received from Indigenous groups, provinces, partners, stakeholders and the Canadian public via...

140 Signatories Call on Lawmakers to Advance US Offshore Aquaculture Bill

US offshore aquaculture advocacy groups and 140 supporters, including some notable seafood companies, penned a letter to the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the US House Committee on Natural Resources, urging Congress to pass the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025.

The letter was led by The Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) coalition and the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA). The groups said the letter highlighted the bipartisan support for expanding aquaculture in US federal waters...