Captain D's Moves into NYC Market with Grand Opening in the Bronx 

With more than 530 restaurants across 23 states, Captain D’s, a leading casual seafood restaurant brand is bringing its iconic concept to the New York City market for the first time.

On December 8, Shahid Raza, in partnership with FSR Group, celebrated the grand opening of Captain D’s at its 763 E. Gunhill Road location in the Bronx while developing three additional locations in New York City.

Earlier in the year, Expana reported the team planned on opening five other locations in the Baltimore metro...

MEATZY Launches Subscription Service for Premium Meat and Seafood Delivery

MEATZY, an innovative subscription service delivering high-quality meat directly to customers' doors, has officially launched.

Developed by industry veterans with experience in supplying proteins to over 100 luxury resorts and leading chefs, MEATZY promises an exceptional culinary experience with premium beef, chicken, pork, and seafood at consistent prices.

"Protein prices keep climbing, and families are paying more for meat that's often lower quality than they realize," said the co-founder, Jorge Arevalo. "We built MEATZY to give people access to chef-grade protein...

Genetics and Technology, the Cracks That Threaten the Future of Aquaculture

While the official discourse focuses on productive development, on the ground, aquaculture faces a battlefield marked by the constant threat of new viruses, laboratories with limited capacity and equipment whose high cost prevents the modernization of a sector that urgently needs to evolve. Added to this is the persistent challenge of improving species genetics and adopting technologies capable of reducing costs without causing producers' debts to skyrocket.

What about innovation?

In practice, however, many farms work with the bare minimum: borrowed oximeters, pH meters or...

The Retail Rundown: Labor Day Protein Promotions at a Glance

Seafood leads Labor Day protein promotions, accounting for 27.1% of total ad volume. Pork follows at 23.2%, with beef and chicken each capturing about 22%. Retail buying opportunities for turkey held steady at 3.5%, while promotional activity for shell eggs remained limited.

Back-to-school demand has provided fair to fairly good retail support for eggs, according to Expana, with shelf prices holding mainly steady across most areas in the past month. Last week, white large Grade A eggs were advertised at $4.49 per dozen discounted, nearly $1...

The Retail Rundown: Summer’s Last Stretch Drives Seasonal Promotions

August has arrived, bringing a sense of urgency to make the most of summer’s final weeks. With Labor Day fewer than four weeks away and just seven weeks remaining until the season’s official end, retailers are already diving into back-to-school promotions.

Seafood claims the top spot among protein features again this week, making up 30.3% of all retail ads, followed by beef at 26.2%, pork at 20.8%, and chicken at 18.9%. Egg promotions remain minimal, comprising less than 1% of features—consistent with last week’s light showing. The Midwest led in egg advertising, while the Northeast and South Central regions showed more moderate activity...

‘Today Marks a Historic Day in Our Bilateral Relationship’: PM Modi on India–UK FTA

Lauding the signing of the landmark India-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said that the pact marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.

During a joint press statement with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, PM Modi highlighted the enhanced market access and economic opportunities for both the countries while expressing gratitude for the hospitality he received during his official visit to the country...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features

Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.

Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions...

CSI Elects Klaus Nielsen, Sally Roach to Board of Directors

Certified Seafood International (CSI) just elected two global seafood leaders to serve on its Board of Directors: Sally Roach, Senior Manager for International Sustainability at the ALDI SOUTH Group, and Klaus Nielsen, former CEO of Espersen.

The two elected individuals are recognized global leaders within the fish and seafood sector and have experience implementing responsible seafood practices within successful operations.

“CSI is thrilled to welcome Klaus Nielsen and Sally Roach to our Board of Directors. Their diverse expertise and deep industry insights will significantly enhance our efforts towards responsible sourcing...

Premier on Trump's Video About Cooke: 'Many Falsehoods, Completely Inaccurate'

U.S. President Donald Trump's video on social media aimed at a New Brunswick-based seafood company was "completely inaccurate" and full of "falsehoods and inconsistencies," says Premier Susan Holt.

But that's as the premier says she believes seafood is still part of continued trade talks with the Trump administration.

It remains to be seen whether the Canadian fishing industry is now Trump's next target.

"His focus appears to change by the week," Holt said on Thursday.

A video posted earlier this month to Trump's Truth Social account, the social media... 

ZBA Opens Public Hearing on Planned Boston Provisions Facility

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a special meeting last week to open the public hearing on the proposed Boston Provisions 80,000-square-foot facility on the former Signature Bread site on Justin Drive last week.

The project will still need to go before the planning board later this month for recommendations on several permits before coming back to the ZBA for a potential vote in August.

The project requires special permits to establish a seafood processing and distribution facility in the Industrial District and extend the use into the adjoining...

Norway to Benefit from EFTA's New Free Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR

Last week, Norway and the other European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries agreed on a new free trade agreement with the MERCOSUR countries, thereby creating a free trade area covering nearly 300 million people across eight member nations.

The newly established trade deal removes duties on almost all Norwegian exports, improving market access for various key Norwegian industries including energy, industrial goods, shipping, and seafood. Other goods not determined to be duty-free under the trade deal will see their duties gradually reduced over a period of four to...

This New Seafood Law Will Change Restaurant Menus on the MS Gulf Coast, Leaving Locals Torn

Mississippi's new seafood labeling law went into effect Tuesday, forcing some Coast restaurants to make changes. Passed on June 10, an expansion of House Bill 602 requires all seafood and crawfish sold in the state to be labeled as either "domestic" or "imported" on all signage, menus, packaging and online listings.

A task force composed of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will ensure that wholesalers, processors, retailers and food service establishments are in compliance with...

Ecuador Establishes New Union Representing Nation’s Fishing and Aquaculture Sector

At this year’s South Pacific Expopesca—which was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from June 18-20—key stakeholders representing Ecuador’s fishing and aquaculture sector came together to sign a commitment act establishing the Unión de Pescadores y Acuicultores del Ecuador, a non-profit, nationwide civil corporation open to all formally operating stakeholders within Ecuador’s fish sector.

The result was Ecuador’s new fish union, which will focus on strengthening representation within the country’s fishing and aquaculture sector while advancing sustainability and staying grounded in principles of sustainability and legality...

Red Lobster Renews Partnership with Restaurant Tech Platform Olo, Launches First-Party Catering

On June 25, 2025, hospitality software company Olo Inc. announced Red Lobster’s return to Olo’s digital platform as well as its expanded partnership, which includes new plans to launch first-part catering orders for the seafood chain.

Red Lobster initially entered into a partnership with Olo in 2017, after which time it briefly departed to develop an in-house digital ordering solution. Following this 2023 departure from Olo, Red Lobster underwent a May 2024 bankruptcy filing and subsequent company reorganization and brand refreshment...

The Retail Rundown: Independence Day Deals in Focus

As the Fourth of July holiday draws closer, competition for front-page ad space among proteins is heating up. Seafood is currently leading with a 29% share, followed by beef and pork, each capturing 24%. Chicken accounts for 18%, while turkey trails at 2.6%.

Burgers and hot dogs remain backyard barbecue mainstays. Several national grocers were promoting 78–84% lean ground beef under $5 per pound, with eye-catching specials as low as $2.27 on a discounted basis.

Over Father's Day weekend...

Red Lobster Announces Return of Crabfest and New Seafood Boil Options

On June 23, 2025, Red Lobster announced the return of its annual Crabfest event along with new flavors and all-new Seafood Boils.

The promotional event follows a series of recent ups and downs for the seafood dining chain, which is currently rebounding from a bankruptcy filing more than a year ago. The company has also experienced significant leadership turnover, with a fresh lineup amassing by November 2024 for its CEO, CFO, and COO.

As part of the latest Crabfest, Red Lobster is now offering two seafood boil options...

Soaring Cost of Meat and Fish Weighs on Food Giant Hilton as Customers Cut Back

Shares in food sourcing, processing and packaging giant Hilton plunged on Tuesday as soaring prices continue to weigh on demand for meat and fish.

FTSE 250-listed Hilton Foods flagged a 'more cautious' trading outlook, amid inflationary woes and continued disruption to shipments of smoked salmon to the US.

Hilton, which partners with retailers like Tesco to supply their private-label products, had previously warned rising prices have hurt consumer demand for seafood as large cuts to fishing quotas have driven double-digit inflation.

The Retail Rundown: Chicken Promotions Fall Short in “National Month”

Beef and seafood ads were nearly even this week, each accounting for about 25% of featured buying opportunities. Pork and turkey held steady, while eggs gained ground, with the South Central region seeing the most feature activity.

Expana notes that the back-to-school lift in retail shell egg demand has largely passed, with September typically a slower period outside of the early-season bump. 

Despite September being “National Chicken Month,” Expana’s weekly survey found chicken ads down from last week and slightly below late August levels...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day

With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.

Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Protein as July Wraps

As July comes to a close and summer heat intensifies, retailers are pushing protein promotions to attract shoppers and encourage at-home grilling and cooking.

Seafood reclaimed the top spot in protein ad share this week, accounting for nearly 27% of all features. Pork followed at 24%, while beef and chicken trailed close behind at roughly 23% each. Egg promotions dipped slightly to around 1%.

Expana notes that retail egg demand has softened—typical for summer, when hot weather reduces in-home usage. Shelf prices are holding near $3.00 per dozen, well below early-year highs, but lighter consumption has dampened order volumes...

Nueva Pescanova Group Saw 73% Earnings Growth in First Half of 2025

Today, Nueva Pescanova Group released its financial results for the first half of the year, reflecting a 73% increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which is now at €27 million (USD $31.74 million), compared to €15.6 million (USD $18.34 million) during the same period last year.

The Spanish international seafood company also improved its profitability during the first and second quarters, reducing its losses by 65%.

The Group's sales trend rang positive overall, with revenues rising by 7.9% from...

Seafood Demand in South Australia Gutted

Despite messages from government and industry that seafood is safe to eat, demand for fish is declining as the algal bloom disaster drags on with no end in sight.

While fishermen are being hardest hit, the entire sector is operating under a cloud of uncertainty, with wholesalers and retail stores also being increasingly affected.

Samtass Seafoods director Tony Andonas said there was “definitely” a downturn in business, compared with this time last year.

“You can take downturns for a short while, but when you’ve got staff and commitments and fixed costs … the uncertainty is not..."

PAK Quality Foods Acquires Formosa Foods 

PAK Quality Foods, which serves foodservice, retail, and institutional customers in Texas and Eastern New Mexico, has announced the acquisition of all assets of Formosa Foods. 

Formosa Foods will continue to operate under the leadership of its current owners, Jesse and Weldon Chang.  

Founded in 1979, Formosa Foods serves customers across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, offering a wide range of products, including beef, pork, poultry, seafood, grains, and more.  

PAK Quality Foods operates distribution facilities in San Angelo and Fort Worth and offers a full line of...

FDA Deems 52 Food Standards Obsolete, Proposes Their Repeal

On July 16, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a direct final rule revoking 52 food standards that the agency deemed obsolete and unnecessary. The food standards relate to canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products, fish and shellfish, and dressings and flavorings.

If approved, the rule will repeal standards for 11 types of canned fruits and vegetables that are no longer sold in U.S. grocery stores, including seven standards for fruits that are artificially sweetened with saccharin or sodium saccharin...

John Dory Launches Dubai’s First Head-to-Tail Seafood Ecosystem at The Market Island

vThe UAE seafood market is valued at $2.66 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.78% through 2030, outpacing many other food sectors in the region. The opening of John Dory Seafood Market arrives as the UAE's appetite for seafood reaches an all-time high.

Dubai, UAE: John Dory Seafood Market opens its doors at The Market Island in Dubai Festival City Mall, introducing the region’s first sustainable head-to-tail seafood ecosystem. This concept encompasses every stage of...

‘Governor, $32 is Not Too Much for a Local Grouper Sandwich,' Say Florida Restaurateurs

Is $32 too much for a Florida-caught grouper sandwich?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis thinks it is.

Local seafood pros beg to differ.

The governor’s recent remarks at the Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar in Santa Rosa Beach, which he visited last month to sign a measure into law regarding beach access in Walton County, seemed to push back on the pricing for the eatery’s offerings.

“I know this is a great place to visit. I know there’s a lot of folks that come down..."

Young’s Seafood Owner Acquires Irish Food Company Finnebrogue

Sofina, the owner of Grimsby-based Young’s Seafood, has announced the acquisition of food manufacturing business, Finnebrogue for an undisclosed sum.

Finnebrogue is a family-owned business, established in 1991 and employs around 1,200 people across four facilities in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Finnebrogue produces a wide range of food products, including outdoor-bred pork, sausages, rashers, and ham, as well as plant-based alternatives.

Sofina, which is headquartered in Malton, North Yorkshire, is a major supplier of branded and own-label seafood and pork products...

High Liner Finalizes Acquisition of Conagra Seafood Brands for $12.6M Less Than Initial Agreement

In a press release published today by High Liner Foods, the frozen seafood processor officially completed its acquisition of Conagra Brands subsidiaries Mrs. Paul's and Van de Kamp's for USD $42.4 million, $12.6 million less than the initial $55 million disclosed earlier this month.

The adjusted price accounts for an estimated $23.8 million of inventory that was acquired as part of the closing transaction. This differs from the normalized target of $36 million, which was previously laid out in the...

VASEP Elects New Chairman for Five-Year Term

The Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) recently elected Do Ngoc Tai as its new Chairman for Term 7, which will run from 2025-2030.

In a letter to VASEP members, partners, and the Vietnamese seafood industry, Do—who is also the founder and CEO of seafood company Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company (TAIKA)—addressed VASEP’s goals for the next five years.

First and foremost, he acknowledged the Executive Board and Standing Committee’s responsibility to build on generations of past VASEP leaders and reinforce VASEP’s...

Halifax Fishmongers on Wheels Keep Seafood Devotees on the Hook with Freshness and Affordability

Before the trailer full of buttery scallops, thick halibut steaks and succulent lobsters has even arrived, the devoted are already waiting.

They’ve been here in this parking lot attached to a suburban Halifax hardware store since 10 a.m., eyes hungrily scanning the road for their favourite fish truck.

At 10:10, Gary Nickerson and his colleague Marion Barron appear in a Ford F-150 with a grey trailer hitched to the back containing all manner of creatures pulled from the Atlantic Ocean...