February 05, 2026
Captain Fresh to Restart Indian Supply Chains as US-India Trade Deal Lowers Shrimp Tariff
The CEO of the India-based seafood giant Captain Fresh said the company would shift most of its sourcing back to India following its recent trade deal with the United States, according to an interview with The Times of India.
Captain Fresh founder and CEO Utham Gowda told the publication that the company has already agreed with its Indian suppliers to resume manufacturing as soon as possible. Gowda added that before the massive 50% tariff on India, the company sourced two-thirds of its products...
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Captain Fresh to Restart Indian Supply Chains as US-India Trade Deal Lowers Shrimp Tariff
The CEO of the India-based seafood giant Captain Fresh said the company would shift most of its sourcing back to India following its recent trade deal with the United States, according to an interview with The Times of India.
Captain Fresh founder and CEO Utham Gowda told the publication that the company has already agreed with its Indian suppliers to resume manufacturing as soon as possible. Gowda added that before the massive 50% tariff on India, the company sourced two-thirds of its products...
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Alaska Salmon Harvest Trails YOY Catch, Bristol Bay On Track to Reach 33.5 Million Harvest
Bristol Bay’s current catch of sockeye salmon has reached 17.95 million sockeye, on track to achieve pre-season forecasted total harvest of 32.26 million.
Of the five river districts in the bay, Egegik has reached its escapement goal of 1.4 million sockeye, and currently has 5.94 million landed out of a forecasted 7.44 million, a goal within reach now that escapement has been met.
Ugashick’s escapement, however, was 370,000 out of a needed 950,000 sockeye. Current landings are at 3.85 million...
Full Story »Les Hodges: Market Access Becomes the New Measure of Value
The defining issue in the global crab market is no longer production alone. Across every major producing region, the ability to access the highest-value markets is becoming a more important factor of profitability than the size of the harvest itself. Biological conditions continue to improve in Alaska, Norway remains constrained by lower king crab quotas, Russia continues directing premium live product into Asia, and Japan is finding it more difficult to compete for available supply. The result is a global market increasingly shaped by tariffs, sanctions...
Full Story »Farmed Fish Overtakes Wild Catch for First Time as Global Seafood Output Hits Record 188.2M Tonnes
Aquaculture has become the leading source of fish for human consumption, surpassing capture fisheries for the first time and marking what the UN Food and Agriculture Organization called a "turning point" for global food systems.
In its State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, FAO said global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 188.2 million tonnes in 2024. Of that, aquaculture contributed 103.3 million tonnes, continuing a long growth trend that is reshaping seafood supply...
Full Story »NOAA Lifts Suriname Seafood Import Ban After Drift Gillnet Fishery Reforms
NOAA Fisheries has reinstated a comparability finding for Suriname's drift gillnet fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), removing an import prohibition that had been in effect since January 1, 2026 and restoring US market access for products harvested from the fishery. The finding, published in the Federal Register on June 22 (91 FR 37086), is valid through December 31, 2029.
The restoration of access matters commercially: Suriname shipped 11.6 million pounds of seafood to the US in 2025, valued at $40.2 million across 569 shipments, according...
Full Story »The Retail Rundown: The Battle for the Summer Food Dollar Intensifies
With the Fourth of July behind us, the protein industry is entering the "dog days of summer," when seasonal demand typically slows. Holiday movement over the past weekend was reportedly mixed, with retail performance varying by region as weather patterns influenced consumer plans and outdoor activity.
This year, the seasonal slowdown is unfolding against a challenging economic backdrop. Although inflation has moderated, consumers continue to face elevated costs for housing, utilities, and other essentials.
Rather than pulling back on discretionary spending entirely, households are becoming more intentional about where they spend their food dollars, placing greater emphasis on value. That dynamic is especially evident in the restaurant industry...
Full Story »Russian Pacific Salmon Catch Lags Behind 2025 Amid Declining Stocks
Russia may face one of the worst red caviar production and salmon catch figures this year in the last two decades due to weak results from the ongoing salmon fishing season.
Regarding red caviar, according to recent Rosrybolovstvo forecasts, the catch will not exceed 227,000 tons, which would be among the lowest figures for the country and its salmon sector.
According to fishermen, the Russian salmon sector is already lagging compared to last year's results, which may lead to price growth for both salmon and red caviar...
Full Story »Bakkafrost Q2 Trading Update: Faroe Islands Clean on Mortality, Scotland Chalks Up 32 mDKK in Losses
Bakkafrost harvested a combined 29.9 thousand tonnes head-on gutted (HOG) in Q2 2026 across its Faroe Islands and Scotland operations, bringing year-to-date volumes to 61.3 thousand tonnes HOG, according to the company's Q2 trading update published on Oslo Børs.
The Faroe Islands operation drove the bulk of output, delivering 26.7 thousand tonnes in Q2 at an average harvest weight of 5.6 kg, with volumes building steadily through the quarter from 7.7 thousand...
Full Story »FMI Report Finds Food Retailers Doubling Down on Value, Health and Tech Amid Economic Pressure
Food retailers and suppliers are continuing to invest in affordability, health-focused products and technology despite ongoing economic strain, according to The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 report released by The Food Industry Association (FMI).
The report found industry leaders concentrated on five core priorities: managing macroeconomic volatility, meeting consumer demands for value and health, improving the shopping experience, adopting new technologies and building business resilience.
“Consumers are increasingly sensitive to both the cost of food and the nutritional...
Full Story »ANALYSIS: A North–South Comparison of Shrimp Import Patterns in the EU-UK
Shrimp consumption and sourcing patterns in the EU‑UK region differ noticeably between Southern and Northern Europe. These differences largely reflect historical sourcing and cultural cooking habits, which in turn shape species preferences, product forms, and supplier choices. When focusing on the major importing countries (each exceeding 10,000 MT in 2025), clear contrasts emerge between the two regions...
Full Story »Sustainable Scalloping Fund Applauds Trump's National Scallops Day, Northern Edge Opening
The Sustainable Scalloping Fund (SSF) applauded President Trump's declaration of National Scallops Day, marking NOAA Fisheries' move to open the Northern Edge of Georges Bank to the scallop fleet.
According to the SSF, the decision now allows for Scallop Permit Stacking, a move the group has pushed for since its inception. This will allow scallop permit holders to see several benefits, including operational consolidation, cost-cutting, and safer fishing, per the SSF.
"We are grateful to President Trump and his team...
Full Story »Vietnam Seafood Giant Godaco Suffers $6 Million Fire Loss at Value-Added Plant
A fire that broke out in the early hours of June 29 at Go Dang Joint Stock Company's (Godaco) value-added processing facility in Vinh Long province has caused damage exceeding VND 162 billion (USD 6.2 million), according to Vietnam's state broadcaster Voice of Vietnam (VOV).
The blaze ignited around 1 a.m. and quickly spread across the facility's main workshop — a nearly 9,000-square-meter plant commissioned in 2016 at a cost of over USD 30 million. Fire crews from the Vinh Long Provincial Police Department...
Full Story »CFIA recalls Five Star Shellfish Oysters Over Salmonella Risk
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has recalled several Five Star Shellfish Inc. oyster products sold in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec over possible Salmonella contamination.
The recall, issued by the Poplar Grove based company in Prince Edward Island, includes Malpeque, Conway Pearls, Blackberry and Gooseberry oysters harvested on June 22, 2026, from harvest location PEI 1Q. Affected products include select 25-count, 100-count and 2.5-pound packages shipped on June 22 or 23, 2026.
Consumers, retailers and food service operators are advised not to consume...
Full Story »Ecuador Launches Executive Board to Boost Tuna Sector Competitiveness
President Daniel Noboa's administration has launched Ecuador's first Productive Executive Board for the tuna sector, a move aimed at strengthening one of the country's most important seafood industries through closer public-private collaboration.
The initiative forms part of Ecuador's Productive Development Strategy and Competitiveness Policy, led by the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment. The permanent forum will bring together industry, government and international partners to identify bottlenecks and implement practical solutions to improve productivity and competitiveness.
The inaugural meeting brought together representatives from across...
Full Story »White House Issues Sweeping Deregulatory Changes in Domestic Fisheries Management
At a hastily called press conference this morning, Peter Navarro, Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, announced which deregulatory projects the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prioritized and will collaborate with regional councils to implement immediately.
"Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA have rolled out a bold step of regional priorities by partnering directly with regional councils," Navarro said. "These cost-cutting actions will reduce regulatory burdens, stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and make the American seafood industry a world leader...
Full Story »Southern Senators Press USDA for Emergency Catfish Purchase as Industry Marks Third Year of Losses
A coalition of five Southern US senators is pressing the US Department of Agriculture to deploy emergency purchasing authority on behalf of the country's farm-raised catfish industry, which has reported negative financial returns for three consecutive years amid persistent cost inflation.
Led by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), the group sent a letter on June 30 to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging approval of a Section 32 surplus commodity purchase for US farm-raised catfish. Joining Hyde-Smith were...
Full Story »Norwegian Seafood Council Pushes Provenance as Key Differentiator for UK Fish and Chip Operators
The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is positioning verified origin and supply chain transparency as critical competitive tools for UK fish and chip shops, citing research showing 76% of UK consumers find dishes with clear provenance appealing.
The initiative comes as operators face increasing cost pressures and value-conscious customers, with NSC arguing that clear sourcing stories can help justify quality positioning and differentiate from competitors.
"Fish and chip shops have always been built on trust," said Bjørn-Erik Stabell, UK Director at NSC...
Full Story »ASC Adds Stefanie Rog, Steve Philips to Board of Trustees
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has appointed Stefanie Rog and Steve Philips to its Board of Trustees, adding conservation and seafood supply chain expertise as it advances its responsible aquaculture mission.
Rog joined the board on July 1, 2026, while Philips joined on Jan. 1, 2026.
Rog brings more than 15 years of international conservation experience and a PhD in Conservation Biology. Her work has spanned ecosystems from Cambodia’s coral reefs and Ethiopia’s lakes to Australia’s mangrove forests. She is now based in Saudi Arabia...
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Thai Union Launches Industry-First Recyclable Shelf-Stable Tuna Pouch Under John West Brand
Thai Union Group has launched what it claims is the seafood industry's first shelf-stable tuna product in a recyclable mono-material pouch, rolling it out under its John West brand in the UK and Ireland as a product line called Stir & Serve. The launch, developed in collaboration with packaging supplier Mondi, is now available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, and Ocado, with further retailer expansion planned through 2026.
The innovation addresses a longstanding technical barrier in flexible seafood packaging. Conventional retort pouches...
Full Story »Japan’s Mackerel Exports Show a 1.7 Fold Increase in January-May with Record High Price
Exports of Japanese frozen mackerel are recovering. The cumulative export volume for the January–May period reached 58,200 tons, 1.7 times the same period the previous year, driven by increased landings in Kyushu. In recent years, poor catches across domestic fishing grounds—particularly in the Sanriku and Joban regions—combined with a sharp drop in production in Norway (the world's largest producer) have caused landing prices to skyrocket. With high international demand for Japanese mackerel tightening the supply...
Full Story »Pokeworks Expands Texas Footprint as Franchise Pipeline Grows
Pokeworks is continuing to build momentum in Texas, one of the brand’s key growth markets, as the fast-casual poke concept expands its development pipeline and strengthens its franchise network across the state.
The brand currently operates 26 locations throughout Texas with 11 franchisees, with six additional restaurants under construction across Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. Pokeworks also recently expanded its Texas footprint with the opening of its newest location in The Woodlands area of Houston in June.
The Texas growth comes as Pokeworks continues to expand nationally, with 14 locations currently in development across Texas, Massachusetts, Colorado and New York.
Full Story »NOAA Awards $4.2M to States, Tribes to Advance Endangered Marine Species Recovery
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $4.2 million through its Species Recovery Grant Program to support state and tribal efforts to recover marine species protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The funding includes $1.9 million for six new projects across five states: Alaska, California, Florida, New Jersey and South Carolina. Another $2.3 million will continue 13 multi-year projects approved in previous grant cycles.
A significant share of the investment, $1.6 million, will support...
Full Story »RARE Steak Championship to Make New York Debut at Industry City
Brooklyn's Industry City will host the New York debut of the RARE Steak Championship on Thursday, Sept. 10, bringing together more than 25 of the city's steakhouses and restaurants for a head-to-head culinary competition featuring unlimited tastings, cocktails and live entertainment.
Presented by Buckhead Meat & Seafood and produced by DiningOut Media + Events, RARE is a national food and beverage festival that showcases premium proteins, culinary talent and craft cocktails in major US markets. The New York event brings together restaurant...
Full Story »Norway H1 Seafood Exports Decline 1% as China Surpasses US in Market Rankings
Norwegian seafood exports fell 1% by value to NOK 84.5 billion ($8.6 billion) in the first half of 2026, with CEO Christian Chramer of the Norwegian Seafood Council citing a combination of domestic quota cuts and international market disruption.
"Here at home, low quotas for several wild-caught species have resulted in record-low export volumes and record-high export prices, whilst geopolitical unrest in the markets has made global trade even more challenging," Chramer said...
Full Story »DNR's Proposed Water Rules Sharply Criticized, Constitutional Protection of Salmon at Risk
Alaska's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to change regulations that guide the state's water reservation process, an arcane but critically important procedure that guarantees enough water in salmon streams and rivers to support wild salmon populations.
Last August, DNR's Division of Mining, Land, and Water announced its intent in an online public notice and a legal ad in the Anchorage Daily News. The agency identified four regulations for potential changes and opened a scoping period that ran from August 1 to November 29, 2024...
Full Story »Eunha Fisheries Recalls Korean Sashimi Products Over Undeclared Allergens
South Korea-based Eunha Fisheries Co. has recalled certain Sliced Korean Halibut and Flounder Sashimi products due to undeclared allergens, according to a July 1 notice published on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.
The products included accompanying soy sauce and vinegar red pepper paste packets containing wheat, soy, and sesame that were not declared in English on the individual condiment packets, the FDA said.
The affected products were distributed in the US through WOOLTARI USA Inc. and JAYONE FOODS, Inc., reaching consumers through retail stores, direct delivery, and...
Full Story »Canada Raises Mackerel, Southern Gulf Fall Herring Catch Limits
Canada is increasing catch limits for Atlantic mackerel and Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence fall herring after updated stock assessments showed improved conditions, a move officials said will support harvesters and strengthen fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, minister of fisheries, announced the new total allowable catch, or TAC, levels, citing peer-reviewed science, industry input and socioeconomic factors.
For Atlantic mackerel, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said its 2026 stock assessment, completed ahead of the usual two-year cycle, found...
Full Story »Mowi to Brand Feedpipes in Scottish First to Trace Marine Debris
Mowi Scotland will begin branding its feedpipes, becoming the first company in Scotland to do so as the salmon farmer looks to improve traceability of marine debris.
The move is designed to make feedpipes easier to identify if they end up in the marine environment, where waste tied to aquaculture can be hard to distinguish from debris generated by other industries or carried into Scottish waters by tides and wind.
Under current practice, members of the public who find suspected aquaculture waste report it...
Full Story »SalmonChile Joins Chilean Trade Delegation Heading to Washington to Fight Proposed 12.5% Tariff
Chile's salmon farming industry will send representatives to Washington next month to argue that farmed salmon should be exempt from a proposed 12.5% tariff recommended by the Office of the US Trade Representative, joining a broader public-private coalition mobilizing ahead of USTR hearings scheduled to begin July 7.
The delegation took shape following a June 30 meeting at Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the Chilean Industrial Development Association (SOFOFA), trade association Subsecretary Paula Estévez, and export groups including SalmonChile...
Full Story »Expana's Weekly Top 10
Last week's top headlines produced by in-house journalists highlighted the policy shifts, supply chain disruptions and demand signals shaping global commodity and food markets. From the US decision not to renew the USMCA and the collapse of a major low-carbon ammonia project in Louisiana, to Ecuador’s rapid rise in cocoa production and a significant cold storage fire in Los Angeles, the latest developments point to continued volatility across trade, agriculture, energy and food supply chains. We also track key weekly themes in retail and foodservice, where summer pricing...
Full Story »Sardine Fleet Experiencing No Landings in Eastern Hokkaido Despite Season Opening in mid-June
Although the Japanese sardine purse-seine fishing season off eastern Hokkaido began in mid-June, no landings have been recorded so far. This marks the first time since 2018, a span of eight years, that the initial landing has been delayed until July or later, raising concerns about the season's outlook, according to a report by Minato Shimbun.
The current fishing season runs from June 16 to the end of October, as is customary. In recent years, shortly after the season opened...
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