January 28, 2026 — The U.S. is experiencing a “K-shaped” economic recovery as 2026 remains in its early stages, which will drive purchases of both value and premium products this year, according to Christian Lawrence, the head of Americas and energy markets research at Dutch financial services firm Rabobank.
Consumer confidence for the majority of Americans has “plummeted” as a result of ongoing inflation, with Americans paying 27 percent more for food than they were a few years ago, Lawrence said at the 2026 Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC), which took place 18 to 22 January in Hollywood, Florida, U.S.A.