UNFI Shuffles Leadership to Strengthen Operations and Commercial Execution

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United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is making leadership changes aimed at strengthening execution, improving efficiency and supporting long-term profitable growth.

Effective Aug 3, Matteo Tarditi will become President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing product sales, enterprise customer relationships, supply chain operations, technology and lean implementation. Tarditi previously served as president and chief financial officer.

Louis Martin will serve as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), with responsibility for commercial strategy and capabilities across conventional and natural merchandising, supplier partnerships and services, private brands, professional and digital services...

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ANALYSIS: US May Shrimp Imports Rise 7% as Ecuador Posts Record Monthly Volume

Total US shrimp imports for May 2026 came in at 152.9 million lbs, up 7.0% year over year versus 143.0 million lbs in May 2025. The monthly gain was driven almost entirely by Ecuador, while declines across the major Asian origins continued to weigh on the broader supply picture. YTD through May, imports stand at 690 million lbs, down 7.9% against 749 million lbs in the same period of 2025.

Ecuador recorded 64.0 million lbs in May, up 46.8% year over year and...

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SalMar to Acquire 70% Stake in Måsøval in $350 Million Deal

SalMar ASA has agreed to acquire Heimstø AS's entire 70% stake in Måsøval AS, the Central Norway salmon farmer, in a deal valuing Måsøval's total share capital at approximately NOK 4.84 billion. The transaction was announced on 8 July 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, SalMar will pay NOK 39.50 per share for Heimstø's 85,727,553 shares — a premium of 71.7% to Måsøval's closing price on 25 March 2026, the day before Heimstø announced a strategic review of its ownership. The NOK 3.4 billion consideration is structured...

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NOAA Links Chinook Salmon Declines in Yukon River to Bering Sea Heatwaves

In a new study, NOAA scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center have linked the rapid decline of Chinook salmon in the Yukon River to marine heatwaves during 2016–2019, a period when adult run sizes reached their lowest levels on record.

The researchers used a new modeling approach to reconstruct the full Chinook life cycle by combining data from multiple sources: juvenile marine survey data and bycatch information collected by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and adult monitoring data collected by the Alaska Department...

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US Identifies Costa Rica for IUU Fishing Over Longline Monitoring Failures, Conservation Groups Warn

The United States has formally identified Costa Rica as engaged in Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, citing years of failed commitments to establish a national observer program for its industrial pelagic longline fleet. The finding comes in NOAA's 2026 Report to Congress on Improving International Fisheries Management and was highlighted in a July 3 press release from CREMA, a Costa Rican marine conservation organization.

According to CREMA, NOAA found that Costa Rica failed to meet mandatory observer coverage requirements set by the...

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UNFI Shuffles Leadership to Strengthen Operations and Commercial Execution

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is making leadership changes aimed at strengthening execution, improving efficiency and supporting long-term profitable growth.

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Portugal Grants First Permit for Offshore Open-Sea Fish Farm

Portugal has issued its first-ever permit for an offshore aquaculture facility in the open sea, marking a notable step for the country’s marine farming sector and wider European offshore aquaculture development.

Israel-based Mariculture Systems said it has secured an Aquaculture Activity Title from Portuguese authorities, clearing the way for construction of an offshore fish farming facility off the Portuguese coast.

The project will use the company’s CORALIS offshore aquaculture technology, built around a semi-submersible platform designed to operate in exposed...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Hokkaido Surimi Production Plummeted 55% to 760 Tons in May

The Minato Shimbun reported that frozen surimi production in Hokkaido for May—based on data compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association based in Abashiri City, Hokkaido—fell 55% year-on-year to 755 tons. This marked the third consecutive month of decline, driven by sluggish landings of the primary raw material, Alaska pollock.

Of this total, pollock surimi production dropped 59% to 672 tons, also marking a third straight month of decline. According to surimi manufacturers, raw fish landings fell across the board...

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Atlantic Mackerel Quotas Surge More Than 1,000 Percent After Stock Assessment Shows Recovery

Atlantic mackerel's decade-long rebuilding effort is showing results. A September 2025 management track assessment by NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center found the population is no longer dangerously low and overfishing is not occurring — with 2024 spring trawl survey abundance near a record high, egg production the highest since the 1980s, and estimated recruitment the strongest since 1983, according to NOAA Fisheries.

The turnaround has been years in the making. A 2017 benchmark assessment found the mackerel population dangerously low and overfishing occurring, triggering a five-year...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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