Russia Plans to Diversify Exports of Pollock Roe Within Next Several Years 

According to recent statements, made by German Zverev, head of the Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), Russia plans to significantly diversify exports of its pollock roe within the next several years, paying a particular attention to supplies for the Chinese market. 

As Zverev said in an interview to the Far East business paper Tvoy Dalny Vostok, so far, up to 90% of pollock roe, produced in Russia, have been sent for exports to Japan, however there is a possibility that this year at least part of...

Alaska Fishing Updates for July 2020

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – Lots of fishing is going on besides salmon.

Alaska’s salmon catch is nearing 8 million fish, of which over half are sockeyes, mostly from Bristol Bay where catches are building.

Fishermen in Quinhagak have formed a group of 70 harvesters to revitalize commercial salmon fishing in Kuskokwim Bay. The group is called the Independent Fishermen of Quinhagak Cooperative and also includes members from Goodnews Bay, Platinum, and Eek. It’s the first fishery since 2016 when the region’s CDQ group...

Economic Value of Alaska Seafood Industry

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch --Which Alaska region is home to the most fishing boats and which region produces the most fish?

Those are just a few of the questions answered each year in the highly anticipated Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry report by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute compiled by the McDowell Group.

The report shows that just under 59,000 workers were directly employed in 2018.

There were 29,400 skippers, active permit owners and crew, of which 56% were Alaska residents. Just over 13,000 fishermen were from outside Alaska.          

GAPP Partners with Urner Barry to Track International Surimi Supply

The Wild Alaska Pollock industry will soon be able to have a comprehensive picture of the international wholesale surimi trade—both supply and demand—thanks to new quarterly tracker, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. After a months-long search that began with a formal request for proposals (RFP), GAPP selected renowned data and insights firm Urner Barry to build the tracker on behalf of the industry.

“It is extremely important for all GAPP members to better understand the wholesale surimi trade and have a...

Up to 400-500K Tonnes of Pollock May be Destroyed in Russia This Year

Up to 400,000 to  500,000 tonnes of pollock may be destroyed in Russia this year in the case of a new wave of COVID-19 in China and the introduction of new restrictions on the supplies of pollock from Russia, per recent statements made by representatives of some leading Russian fish producers and analysts in the field.

The recently finished pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk brought some good results for Russian pollock fishermen, which allowed them to increase their overall catch...

Latest Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers Funding Brings New Products to Europe

The Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers’ (GAPP) latest investment will bring new wild Alaska pollock products to Europe. The organization announced this week that they have awarded nearly one million dollars in funding to launch exciting new products to feed more European consumers.

“We’re excited that there was such strong interest in the Partnership Program and are elated with the caliber of companies we’re partnering with,” said GAPP CEO Craig Morris. “These new products represent the versatility of Wild Alaska Pollock and our collaboration will help consumers understand...

Russia Plans to Increase Exports of High-Added Value Fish Products and Seafood this Year 

Russia plans to increase exports of high-added value fish products and seafood this year, with the aim to compensate losses associated with the reduction of supplies of traditional pollock to the Asian market. 

For this purpose, a particular attention will be paid for a search of alternative sale markets, where sale margins of Russian fish exporters could be higher than those in Asia.  

One of such markets could be the market of the U.S., where since 2013 the supplies of...

The Winding Glass: Walking the Tightrope of Survival

There is a path through this, but it is like staying on a tightrope, with the slightest mistake causing a disastrous fall. 

The issue is not a decline in price. We have lived with volatility before. The issue is how to adjust to structural changes where some distributors estimate 20% to 40% of their foodservice customers will never reopen, and more and more companies try and put seafood through the retail channel.

The second issue is to avoid outcomes that permanently devalue a product. The poster child for this is lobster...

Quarantine Cuisine a la Alaska Pollock

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch. Quarantine Cuisine in the time of COVID.

It used to be that Americans ate more than 60 percent of their seafood at restaurants. But the COVID virus has changed all that.

“I think we're in unprecedented times here being honest, everyone is at home and they're finding themselves having to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner often for themselves but also for their family. And a lot of people are not used to having to prepare three meals a day every day...

SeaShare Partners With Wild Alaska Pollock Producers to Donate Seafood During Coronavirus Outbreak

As of Wednesday morning, there are over 6,500 cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. Every state has a confirmed case and many have put in place different orders, such as closing schools and restaurants, in an effort to prevent the further spread. Many people are out of work, and many children, who rely on schools for lunch, are home without it.

While there is a lot of uncertainty during this time, there are also many heart warming stories circulating about people helping others...

Watch Us Eat! We Try 7-Eleven's New Wild Alaska Pollock Sandwich

SeafoodNews Managing Editor Amanda Buckle and News Assistant Ryan Doyle are back with a new installment of "Watch Us Eat!" This week we're eating 7-Eleven's new Wild Alaska Pollock.

“7-Eleven is always on the lookout for new and delicious fresh food that we think our customers will love and, once they’ve tried it, seek out again and again,” said Robin Murphy, 7‑Eleven fresh food product director. “Customers looking for a hot fish sandwich because they’re observing Lent dietary restrictions, or just because they love...

LISTEN: Boston Seafood Show Postponed; Lent QSR Roundup; Maine Lobster Landings and More

Join SeafoodNews managing editor Amanda Buckle and SeafoodNews staff writer Ryan Doyle as they break down some of the biggest stories of the week, including the postponement of the Boston Seafood Show; Maine's lobster landings; Clearwater Seafoods' potential sale; January shrimp imports and more. Plus, find out what QSR and fast casual restaurants are offering for Lent.

The SeafoodNews Podcast is brought to you by Urner Barry's Reporter magazine, the quarterly newsmagazine for the food industry professional...

GAPP Report: U.S. Consumers Ate More Wild Alaska Pollock in 2019

SEATTLE, WA— A new report of U.S. markets conducted by the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) says Americans are eating more pollock, and more of it is domestically caught and produced Wild Alaska Pollock.

The new analysis reports that the domestic wild Alaska pollock market in 2019 showed significantly better consumption figures than in recent years. In fact, GAPP CEO Craig Morris describes the market as “recovered from several years of decline, with American consumers valuing the domestically caught and produced Wild Alaska Pollock over foreign...

Lent 2020: What 15 QSRs and Fast Casual Restaurants Are Offering on their Menus this Year

February 26 is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. Those who observe the Christian holy day refrain from eating meat on Fridays during the six weeks of Lent, as well as on Ash Wednesday. In an effort to accommodate those who abstain from eating meat, many restaurants add seafood to their menus.

Because of this, the Lenten season tends to be a big time of the year for the seafood industry. The NPD group, a leading global information company, reported that...

Smashburger Introduces Pacific Cod Sandwich, First Ever Fish Entrée Ahead of Lent

Fast-casual chain Smashburger is getting into the fish sandwich game with the launch of their first-ever fish entrée: The Beer Battered Pacific Cod Sandwich.

The launch of the Beer Battered Pacific Cod Sandwich comes about a week before the start of the Lenten season. Smashburger's new sandwich features wild-caught Pacific cod, lightly dipped in a signature batter infused with Yuengling Lager, and topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and creamy tartar sauce.

"At Smashburger, we're on a mission to satisfy our guests with...

Russia Floods U.S. With Seafood While Banning U.S. Imports for 6th Year

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch – 

Lost in the ongoing news about the hits to seafood from the Trump Administration’s trade war with China is another international trade barrier with Russia that’s been going on far longer.

In August of 2014 Russia placed an embargo on U.S. food products to retaliate for sanctions it and other Western countries imposed over Ukraine issues.

It included Alaska seafood products, which accounted for more than $61 million in sales to Russia, primarily pink salmon roe...

Russian Pollock Producers May Significantly Strengthen Their Positions in Domestic Market This Year 

Russian pollock producers may significantly strengthen their positions in the domestic market this year due to expected reduction of supplies of some imported fish species, according to recent statements, made by representatives of some Russian fish industry associations and local analysts.   

As German Zverev, head of the Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE) told in an interview with the Far East business portal Tvoy Dalny Vostok, due to the pandemic, the volume of production of tilapia and pangasius (and products from them)...

Wholesale Price of Frozen Alaska Pollock in Korea Soars 58.6% to KRW 53,600

Korea Agro-Trade Center announced on June 5 that the wholesale price of frozen Alaska pollock was KRW 53600/carton of 20kg ($44.68/20 carton or $2.23/kg), according to a fishery coop in Hokkaido. The price rose 58.6% from KRW 33,800/carton ($28.18/carton or $1.41/kg) a year ago, and 33.6% higher than the previous year’s annual average of KRW 41,300/carton ($34.44 or $1.72/kg). The retail price of KRW 2,614/fish ($2.18/fish) rose 20.4% from...

Russian Leading Fish Producer RRPK Accelerates Domestic and Foreign Expansion  

The Russian Fishery Company (RRPK), one of the country’s largest fish producers, is accelerating expansion both in the domestic and foreign markets, despite the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the negative consequences for economics, the company said in an exclusive interview with SeafoodNews.  

According to RRPK, while the pandemic had a negative impact on the global economy and fish market, the company was able to flexibly respond to all challenges, which allowed them to achieve a record-breaking catch in its history this year...

By the Numbers: Japan’s March Seafood Imports and Exports

The Japanese Ministry of Finance announced March import and export statistics. Marine product imports totaled 114,238.50 million yen ($1,076.54 million), down 12.2% from the same month of the previous year. Import volume increased 4.6% to 176,192 tons. Exports decreased by 9.7% year-on-year to 55,424 tons, and the value decreased by 22.1% to 18,163.91 million yen ($171.16 million).

Imports

The products that exceeded both the quantities and value are shrimp, crab, and octopus. The volume of fresh and...

Russia Plans to Increase Pollock Catch in Bering and Sea of Okhotsk this Year   

Russia plans to increase the volume of pollock catch in the Sea of Okhotsk within the next several years, thanks to a significant increase of stocks, which has been observed in the last 10-15 years.  

Since 2005 the volume of pollock stock in the Sea of Okhotsk has increased by almost two times and is currently estimated at 12 million tons. According to experts of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), one of Russia’s leading research institutions in...

Russian Fish Producers and Processors Hope for Diversification of their Export Supplies This Year  

Leading Russian fish producers and processors hope for a significant diversification of their exports in years to come, that will allow them to better protect their revenues in the declining market this year.

Part of these plans is increasing supplies to the EU market, as well as the Latin American region.  

According to earlier statements of German Zverev, head of the Russian Association of Fish Producers (WARPE), there are some big opportunities for Russian fish processors in the market of Brazil, where the annual volume of...

Russian Fisherman Plan to Increase Catch This Year Despite COVID-19 and Economic Recession  

Despite the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the associated economic crisis in Russia, local fisherman continue to increase the volume of their catch this year, according to recent statements made by representatives of producers and industry analysts.  

According to latest data, issued by the Russian Rosrybolovstvo, since the beginning of the current year total fish catch in Russia has grown by 6.3% on year-on-year basis, up to 1.62 million tonnes.  

Most of this catch accounted for pollock, the volume of which...

Russia Hopes to Significantly Increase Exports of Pollock Fillets to U.S. Market This Year

Russian Producers Fear Coronavirus Control Measures Could Seriously Impact Pollock Catch

The pollock fishing season in the Russian Far East is under a serious threat due to the measures that are being taken by the national government to prevent the further spread of coronavirus in the country.

So far, the Russian Rosrybolovstvo has already issued recommendations for domestic fish producers, returning from China and South Korea to their fishing areas in the Russian territorial waters, to enter Russian seaports for sanitary and epidemiological measures.

These recommendations, however, have already sparked criticism from producers...

Alaska Fishing Updates for March 2020

This is Alaska Fish Radio. I’m Laine Welch –

March marks the start of halibut and herring fisheries but there’s not a lot of good news this go around.

The eight month long Pacific halibut fishery is set to open on March 14 amidst a grim market outlook due in part to the coronavirus. Most of Alaska’s 17 million pound halibut catch goes to markets in the U.S. but transportation by flight is getting more sketchy and many stores and restaurants are devoid of customers. 

In Southeast Alaska, no ferries means no halibut shipments...

Russia Pollock Fishing Season May Become the Most Unprofitable in Last 25 Years Due to Coronavirus 

The pollock fishing season in Russia this year may become the most unprofitable in the last 25 years due to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus and its consequences on the domestic fish sector, according to recent statements made by some leading Russian fish producers and industry analysts.  

In recent weeks, Russian fisherman have faced serious difficulties during the delivering of their fish to Chinese ports, since the work of the majority of fish processing plants in this country has been suspended due to...

Russian Pollock Producers Deny U.S. Media Reports of their Major Expansion  

Leading Russian pollock producers have expressed their skepticism regarding recent reports from U.S. media outlets that the introduction of an embargo on the supplies of fish and seafood from the U.S. had a catastrophic effect on Alaskan fishermen and led to the influx of cheap fish and seafood from Russia in the U.S. market.

In accordance with the February review, prepared by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), the introduction of countersanctions on U.S. fish and seafood supplies by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in 2014 resulted in...

White Castle Brings Back Shrimp Nibblers for Lent, But Crab Cake Sliders Don't Make the Cut

White Castle is adding some more seafood items to their menu —just in time for Lent. The fast food chain announced on Friday that they are now serving a new crispy Panko Breaded Fish Slider and a seasonal Craver favorite – Shrimp Nibblers. However, one seasonal seafood item is missing from their menu … the Seafood Crab Cake Slider.

White Castle added a Crab Cake Slider to their menu back in 2017. The Crab Cake Slider returned in 2018 and 2019, but appears to have...

Arby’s Fires First in Fish Sandwich War as Lent Season Looms 

Is another sandwich war on the way? After chicken sandwich wars took the U.S. by storm, Arby’s struck the first blow in what has already been dubbed, the “Fish Sandwich War.”

Arby’s took to Twitter to fire at McDonald’s staple fish sandwich, the Filet-O-Fish. A menu item since 1962, Arby’s sentiment was simple, its Fish N’ Cheddar Sandwich, is better than the Filet-O-Fish.

The company kept up the barrage with short YouTube ads and a pair of other 10-15 seconds ads poking fun at...