Alaska 2026 Salmon Harvest Forecast 40% Lower Despite Pink Salmon Gains

If pre-season forecasts prove accurate, 2026 will be a lean year for Alaska wild salmon across most species. Alaska's total harvest forecast calls for 56 million pink salmon, 49.7 million sockeye salmon, 17.2 million chum salmon, and 2.4 million coho salmon. If realized, the forecast for the 2026 total Alaska commercial salmon harvest will be approximately 125.5 million fish—nearly 40% fewer than last year.

However, pink salmon are two-year fish, and even years have traditionally seen smaller returns compared to...

Japan's 2025 Frozen Sockeye Imports up 37% from Russia, Plummets 69% from the US

Japan imports wild sockeye salmon, mainly caught in the summer from Russia and the United States, and uses it as a raw material for salted salmon.

According to trade statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Japan's 2025 imports of frozen sockeye salmon increased by 17% year-on-year (YOY) to 18,602 tons, with an average price of 1,150 yen/kg ($7.16/kg), up 14%. While the increase in imports from Russia, the main source, drove the overall increase...

Commercial Sockeye Opening Kicks off 2026 Wild BC Salmon Season in Barkley Sound

Commercial salmon harvesters are heading to Barkley Sound near Port Alberni as British Columbia’s 2026 Wild BC Salmon season officially gets underway. The first commercial sockeye opening of the year begins June 9, marking an early milestone for the province’s fishing industry.

The opening is fueling renewed optimism across the coast, with forecasts stronger than they have been in years. An estimated 7.5 million Fraser River sockeye are expected to return in 2026, making it the largest forecast run...

Winding Glass: Section 301 Tariffs Set to Permanently Twist Seafood Trade

The recent headline that section 301 seafood tariffs will reach $2.9 billion does not tell the industry story. The headline number is the result of an 11.4% blended tariff calculation applied to the value of goods shipped by 60 targeted countries to the US in 2025. That is one result of the Section 301 forced-labor duties proposed by the US Trade Representative on June 2. It is more than the roughly $2.2 billion importers paid last year, most of it under the IEEPA tariffs the Supreme...

Norwegian Seafood Council Taps Summer Soccer Spotlight to Boost US Demand for Seafood from Norway

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is rolling out a national consumer marketing push across the US this summer, timed to "this summer’s biggest international soccer moment." Anchored by a national digital buy, the integrated campaign aims to raise awareness of Seafood from Norway and position it at the intersection of health, sports and shared dining moments.

The timing is deliberate; NSC says the campaign will help retailers, restaurants and suppliers engage shoppers and diners looking for premium, provenance-driven...

House Passes Larsen Bill to Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

The US House has overwhelmingly passed legislation to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission for another seven years, backing a long-running, community-driven effort to restore marine habitats in Puget Sound. The bill, led by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), cleared the chamber on a 374–49 vote.

“The Commission’s bottom-up approach has ensured that local communities have the resources and expertise they need to keep marine habitats healthy,” Larsen said, noting its role in recovering threatened species “including Southern Resident Killer Whales...

Chile Posts 13% Fisheries Growth in 2025 as Jack Mackerel, Sardine Surge; Salmon Dominates Farming

Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) reported total sector landings of 4.51 million tons in 2025, marking a 13% increase from the previous year as both wild-capture and farmed production expanded across major species categories.

The annual statistics, released on June 3, show that industrial fishing contributed 1.27 million tons, while artisanal operations landed 1.72 million tons. Aquaculture harvests reached 1.53 million tons, with the combined sectors reflecting broad-based growth across Chile's fishing regions...

SalmonChile Expands Industry Network with New Member and Stronger Agricultural Partnerships

SalmonChile is strengthening collaboration across Chile’s salmon value chain through both the addition of a major industry supplier and renewed engagement with the agricultural sector.

The trade association recently welcomed Grupo Salmovac as its newest member, adding a company with two decades of experience in aquaculture logistics, salmonid inoculation and industrial services in southern Chile. The move reinforces SalmonChile’s role as a hub for producers and suppliers supporting the country's salmon industry.

"We are very happy to welcome Grupo Salmovac to our guild. Their incorporation not only strengthens...

Cermaq Consolidates Canadian Operations Into Single Entity Following $1B Grieg Integration

Mitsubishi-owned salmon farmer Cermaq is streamlining its expanded Canadian operations through a June 1 subsidiary amalgamation, creating a unified structure five months after completing its $1 billion acquisition of Grieg Seafood's North American assets.

The consolidation merges three entities—CQ Canada Holding Ltd., Cermaq Canada Ltd., and Cermaq Seafood BC Ltd.—into Cermaq British Columbia Ltd., with CAD 224 million in capital. CEO Steven Rafferty will serve as director of the Campbell River, BC-based entity...

USDA Seeks Over 300,000 Pounds of Salmon Products for Government Food Programs

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting bids for salmon products totaling more than 304,000 pounds, marking the agency's third major seafood procurement this month as government purchasing activity accelerates.

The May 27 solicitation seeks canned pink salmon and frozen wild salmon fillets for domestic food distribution programs, with bids due June 5 at 1:00 PM Central Time and acceptances announced by June 18. Deliveries are scheduled between August 1 and December 15, 2026.

The procurement consists of over 100,000 cases of canned pink salmon...

Iceland Seafood Q1 Profit More Than Doubles as Sales Rise 22%

Iceland Seafood International reported sharply higher first-quarter profitability for 2026, with net profit more than doubling as sales climbed across all three business divisions.

The company posted Q1 sales of €146 million, up 22.4% year-over-year (YOY), while net profit increased to €2.1 million from €1 million YOY. EBITDA rose to €5.7 million, with 12-month EBITDA reaching €22.8 million.

Sales growth was led by the company’s S&D division, where revenue jumped 41% to €72.2 million...

Copper River Season Opens with 39,000 Sockeye Catch, Elevated Early-Season Prices

Cold temperatures, wind and rain greeted the fleet that made it out to the Copper River fishing grounds for the 12-hour season opener last Friday. A total of 39,000 sockeye salmon and 967 Chinook salmon were caught, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).

Expana market reporter Joshua Bickert reports that both sockeye and kings are seeing elevated wholesale prices, though levels remain typical for early-season product. Market participants largely believe that prices should fall rapidly...

Norwegian Police Recover 18 Tons of Stolen Salmon in Hijacked Semi-Trailer

Norwegian police recovered 18 tons of stolen salmon Sunday after an observant citizen spotted the hijacked semi-trailer used to transport the fish at a Circle K gas station in Vestby, according to Nettavisen.

The salmon was stolen from the seafood company 1814Salmon in Dal early Saturday morning, with police receiving the burglary report at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Hours later, authorities received a separate report about two stolen semi-trailers taken from Skarnes the night before.

The breakthrough came when the victim of the trailer theft posted...

Norway's Seafood Industry Splits Over "Production Fish" Export Ban Reversal

Norway's seafood sector faces a deepening divide after Sjømat Norge, the Norwegian Seafood Federation, announced it would support lifting the country's longstanding ban on exporting uncorrected "production fish" to increase its market access in the European Union.

The industry group informed members of the decision in an internal email on May 15, according to Dagens Næringsliv. Production fish refers to farmed salmon with wounds, injuries, or other defects that currently must be corrected through filleting before export under regulations dating to the early 1990s...

Scottish Salmon Exports to UAE, Gulf States Set for Boost Under New Trade Framework

Scottish salmon exports are expected to jump after the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) inked a trade deal on May 20.

Salmon Scotland, which describes itself as the voice of Scotland's farmed salmon industry, said the deal will ensure tariff-free access for UK goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, removing 5% tariffs on certain salmon exports.

Last year, salmon exports to the aforementioned countries reached 670 metric tons worth £6.5 million...

Study Finds Juvenile Fraser River Chinook Exposed to Hundreds of Contaminants

A new study focused on juvenile Harrison River Chinook finds the fish are feeding and growing in a cocktail of contaminants including common medications, personal care items and industrial chemicals.

"We've shown there's a mixture of chemicals in the Lower Fraser, which not only presents potential risks to juvenile Chinook, but also other aquatic life," says Bonnie Lo, environmental scientist and lead author of the study.

Unveiled by Simon Fraser University, the research tested samples for more than 595 contaminants across up to...

EU Prepares New Sanctions Targeting Russian Fish Exports, Including Cod Ban

The EU's new sanctions package against Russia may restrict Russian fishery supplies to Europe, including a complete ban on cod sales, which may lead to serious losses for Russian fishermen.

According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, fisheries have so far been among the sectors not significantly affected by sanctions; this may change soon.

The EU market has been among the most important sales markets for Russian fishermen despite current tensions between the two sides. According to estimates by the Russian Fisheries Union, in 2025, total...

UK Salmon Sales Surge to £1.6 Billion as Summer World Cup Drives Demand

New data shows that sales of the United Kingdom's favorite fish — salmon — increased in volume by 8.5 percent and in value by 7.3 percent in the year ending March 30. The figures show more than 81,000 tonnes of salmon were sold in the 12 months to March.

Even as overall fish sales have remained largely unchanged, salmon continues to grow strongly.

The figures come as families turn to lighter, healthier meals over the summer, with salmon well suited to barbecues, salads, simple dinners, and World Cup...

ASMI Launches UK Campaign Tying Wild Salmon Season to New Seattle-London Flight Route

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has rolled out its "First Flight, First Catch" campaign in the UK market, leveraging the new daily Alaska Airlines service between Seattle and London Heathrow to promote the availability of fresh wild Alaska salmon.

The multi-faceted campaign coincides with the opening of Alaska's commercial salmon harvest and includes partnerships with Whole Foods Market featuring in-store demonstrations by fisherman Thea Thomas, a media and trade supper club event at London's historic Fishmonger's Hall, and targeted influencer and social media outreach...

Voskhod Sale to Investment Holding Signals Russian Salmon M&A Activity

Russia's salmon sector may face a new wave of consolidation and ownership changes among major local players in the years to come.

An example is Voskhod, one of Russia's largest Pacific salmon producers, which was reportedly sold to JSC Innovative Company NZ, a Russian investment holding.

The Voskhod fishery holding is currently one of Russia's largest Pacific salmon producers, with operations concentrated mainly in Kamchatka Krai. The company operates 30 fishing sites, six factories, and over 35 vessels. This capacity allows it to produce over 24,000...

Norway Scraps Aquaculture Price Council After Industry Pressure

Norway's parliament voted to abolish the Aquaculture Price Council last week, ending a controversial taxation mechanism that the salmon farming industry had long criticized.

Seafood Norway CEO Geir Ove Ystmark called the Storting's decision "correct and long-awaited," arguing the council applied petroleum and hydropower tax models unsuitably to aquaculture. The council set theoretical monthly benchmark prices for determining taxable revenues, but Ystmark said this created a "theoretical average tax that attempts to find a market price that does not actually exist...

Norwegian Seafood Exports Face Continued US Market Pressure in May

Norwegian seafood exports declined 1% in May to NOK 13.4 billion, marking the fourth month of value decline in 2026 as US market losses and quota-driven volume reductions continue to pressure the industry.

US Market Losses Mount

The United States remains Norway's most challenging export market, with May exports falling NOK 363 million to NOK 992 million, a 27% decline from May 2025. The US has now become Norway's third-largest market, down from previous rankings.

"The US market has seen the sharpest decline...

Blumar Q1 Profit Boosted by Fishing Gains as Salmon Business Weighs on Results

Blumar reported profits of $15.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong results in fishing that offset continued weakness in salmon. The fishing business contributed $18.8 million to net income, while salmon posted a loss of $3.1 million.

Consolidated revenues totaled $192.5 million, down 8% from a year earlier. EBITDA pre-fair value reached $34.4 million, a 3% decline, and net income was 44% lower year on year. Segment results continued to diverge, with...

Japan's April Marine Products Import Fell 6% in Volume, but Increased 3% in Value

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on May 28th, April imports of marine products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) were down 6% year-on-year to 181,057 tons. While imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased, imports of salmon, trout, and shrimp decreased. The value of imports increased 3% to 184.977 billion yen ($1.16 billion).

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased...

Scottish Sea Farms Fined £70,000 for Greenhouse Gas Rule Violations

Scottish salmon processor Scottish Sea Farms Limited was fined £70,000 by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency following violations of fluorinated greenhouse gas regulations at its Lerwick facility in Shetland.

SEPA issued two £35,000 civil penalties after discovering that refrigeration equipment at the Gremista Industrial Estate site was operating without required leakage detection systems during a routine compliance inspection.

The violations involved Ice Plant 4 and Ice Plant 5, both containing fluorinated gases above the 500-tonne CO₂ equivalent regulatory threshold but lacking working leakage detection...

Scientists Map Regional Differences in Chinook Salmon Diets

A new study from University of Victoria and the Pacific Salmon Foundation has found that adult Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea rely heavily on herring for food, though their diets vary by region and season.

The research, published in Fisheries Oceanography and led by UVic PhD student Wesley Greentree, analyzed thousands of salmon stomach samples collected by recreational anglers through the Adult Salmon Diet Program.

Researchers found herring were the dominant prey year-round across the Salish Sea. But regional differences emerged...

Webinar Explores Seafood Market Outlook for H2 2026, Price Trends and Sourcing Risks

Seafood markets are entering H2 2026 under real pressure.

How will shifting trade flows, disease outbreaks, evolving consumer demand, and shipping volatility shape seafood procurement and pricing in the coming months?
In just 30 minutes on May 28, Expana's seafood experts Angel Rubio and Janice Schreiber will walk you through the latest price movements, supply dynamics and sourcing risks potentially impacting your supply chains in H2 2026.

● Shrimp: Where farmed output from Ecuador, India, Vietnam are heading, antidumping duties updates - and the impact on US and EU prices.
● Salmon: Supply vs. demand for Norwegian and Chilean Atlantic salmon, impact of sea lice...

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Returns to Profit, Upgrades FY26 Earnings Guidance

New Zealand King Salmon Investments swung back to profit in the first half of FY26, helped by stronger fish performance, higher sales volumes and improved operational efficiency.

The salmon producer posted net profit of $13.8 million for the six months ended March 31, reversing a $20.8 million loss reported in the prior comparable period. Revenue rose to $100.3 million from $94.5 million, while sales volumes increased to 2,799 metric tonnes from 2,624 metric tonnes.

Pro-forma EBITDA...

Premier Dixon and Governor Dunleavy Sign Renewed Alaska-Yukon Intergovernmental Accord

Alaska and the Yukon reaffirmed their commitment to several shared issues, including deeper collaboration on research and the ongoing rebuilding of salmon populations in the Yukon River.  

Premier Currie Dixon and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy met during the fifth annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, where they discussed shared northern energy priorities and the Arctic’s growing strategic importance.

Both Dixon and Dunleavy emphasized the close, longstanding relationship between Alaska and the Yukon, including cross-border family and friendship connections, ties among Indigenous communities and a shared commitment to...

Alaska's Attorney General Voids 5 Board of Fish Regulations on Area M, Due to Ethics Violation 

Alaska's highest law enforcement authority sent a letter to Alaska's Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Dahlstrom, yesterday, “disapproving” of the Alaska Board of Fisheries' actions on five proposals that were adopted into regulation at its February 18 – 24, 2026, meeting.

The regulations, all affecting Area M salmon fisheries, would have taken effect on June 1, 2026. 

Acting Attorney General Cori Mills, a 14-year veteran of the AG's office, acted under the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act as a matter of state government accountability, independently...