Saving Seafood

Economic Impact

Seafood sales for 2026 and beyond expected to benefit from health, protein trends

January 7, 2026 —  U.S. grocery sales are expected to continue on a steady growth trajectory over the next few years, and several consumer trends are pointing toward seafood being a top beneficiary of that growth.

According to a recent report from LLC Attorney, U.S. food retail sales are projected to soar from USD 245.8 billion (EUR 210 billion) in 2026 to USD 389 billion (EUR 333 billion) in 2029, enjoying a growth rate of more than 12 percent annually during that time frame. A large component of that projected growth will come from seafood, according to the firm, which predicted that seafood is expected to outpace every other food segment throughout the end of the decade, with projections of 13.8 percent annual growth and USD 11.4 billion (EUR 9.7 billion) in sales by 2029.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

How seafood companies are capitalizing on the high-protein snack craze

January 2, 2025 — U.S. consumer interest in nutrition and dietary trends have spiked, and one macronutrient has taken center stage: protein.

There is perhaps no place that reflects this trend more than American snack aisles. Food products traditionally low in protein like cereal, oatmeal, pancakes, cookies, and snack mix now boast of containing protein levels of 20 grams or more on the front of their packaging. Over the past decade, research shows that the number of high-protein products has increased fourfold, expanding from predominantly animal-based sources to plant-based sources of protein.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Crab prices may rise during the holidays due to delayed season

December 18, 2025 — Delays in California’s Dungeness crab season are continuing to impact Humboldt County and other parts of Northern California as state wildlife officials conduct safety testing for domoic acid, a naturally occurring toxin that can accumulate in shellfish.

While much of Humboldt County remains closed to crabbing, the ripple effects of the delay are already being felt across the state. With local crab limited or unavailable in several regions, seafood markets are turning to out-of-state supply, driving prices higher during what is typically one of the busiest times of year.

The delays stem from elevated levels of domoic acid detected during preseason testing conducted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by certain types of marine algae and can build up in shellfish under specific ocean conditions.

“Domoic acid is produced by a naturally occurring single-celled marine alga,” said Christy Juhasz, a senior environmental scientist specialist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Marine Region. “Under certain ocean conditions, that alga can proliferate and release this toxin into the water.”

Read the full article at KRCR

Seafood prices soar, but US retail sales still see some gains in November

December 18, 2025 — Despite a significant increase in seafood prices in November, overall U.S. seafood sales still realized some gains in the fresh and ambient categories.

Fresh seafood prices increased 4.1 percent in November, led by a spike in fresh shellfish prices of 8.4 percent compared to November 2024, according to data from Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-based market research firm Circana analyzed by 210 Analytics.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

USDA awards nearly USD 14 million in catfish, pollock, and salmon contracts

December 15, 2025 —  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded USD 13,694,519 (EUR 11,666,316) in contracts for catfish, pollock, and salmon products for use in federal domestic food programs.

Sitka, Alaska, U.S.A.-based Silver Bay Seafoods was the biggest winner of the announcement, securing roughly half of the funding by value. The company was awarded USD 7,077,272 (EUR 6,028,959) to provide more than 88,000 cases of canned pink salmon.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Samoa PM renews support for StarKist Samoa’s guest worker program

December 9, 2025 — StarKist Samoa canneries’ initiative to build two new housing facilities to provide accommodations for Samoa’s guests workers working at the cannery is applauded and highly commended by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.

StarKist Samoa, is the single largest private employer in the territory with 2,400 workers on the payroll. And 70% are Samoa citizens hired as Guest Workers for the canneries in a government initiative to accommodate the cannery’s high manpower demands.

The guest worker program is exclusive for Samoa citizens only.

As guest of honor attending the dedication of the new Legislative Building recently, StarKist President Injoo Ha and senior executives paid a courtesy call on Samoa’s leader and his delegation.

Read the full article at Samoa News

Moody’s predicts decline of US port sector in 2026

November 24, 2025 — Financial services firm Moody’s Ratings has predicted declines for the U.S. port sector in its recently released 2026 outlook. 

“The 2026 outlook for the U.S. ports sector remains negative given the adverse effect of tariffs and policy uncertainty and as U.S. real GDP growth slows and consumer spending moderates,” Moody’s Ratings Assistant Vice President David Kamran said in the update.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Inflation drives down frozen, ambient seafood sales at US retailers in October

November 18, 2025 — Inflation on grocery prices led to drops in seafood sales at U.S. retail stores in October.

Frozen seafood prices increased 5.3 percent year over year in October, contributing to sales declines of 2.7 percent by value to USD 723 million (EUR 624 million) and 7.6 percent by volume, according to new data from market research firm Circana analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

National Fisheries Institute Applauds President Trump on Tariff Modifications and Swiss Trade Agreement

November 17, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) applauds the Administration for moving to ease tariffs on some foods. While seafood is the healthiest animal protein on the planet, rising costs have put it out of reach for many families.  We urge the President to include all seafood in tariff adjustments. This is critical to lowering consumer prices, maintaining American jobs in the seafood sector and keeping Americans healthy and fed.

Additionally, NFI appreciates the Administration’s success in continuing to expand markets for American seafood globally.

The plan to improve access for high quality U.S. seafood products through the application of zero duties in both Switzerland and Liechtenstein will have a positive impact on American companies and is in lockstep with the roadmap laid out in the President’s executive order regarding seafood competitiveness and economic growth.

NFI supports efforts to strengthen cooperation in global seafood trade and make America’s seafood community stronger.

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

 

Red Lobster’s latest turnaround initiatives include new seafood boil flavors, cocktails

November 13, 2025 — Restaurant chain Red Lobster, which has implemented several initiatives intended to turn around sales after emerging from bankruptcy last year, has released new flavors for its seafood boils, as well as cocktails and new entrées, to further boost sales.

The Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based operator of more than 500 restaurants globally first launched seafood boils as part of its Crabfest promotion this summer. At that time, it debuted the Mariner’s Boil, which includes a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes, and the Sailor’s Boil, which features shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource