USDA Buys $3.7 Million Worth of Alaska Pollock Products, Another Big Pollock Purchase on the Way

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has purchased roughly 1.25 million pounds of Alaska pollock products for just over $3.675 million. The products will be used in child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for Fiscal Year 2023.

According to the USDA’s purchase award description, it bought 1.19 million worth of various pollock products, a total of 418,000 pounds, from Channel Fish Processing.

Trident Seafoods sold the remaining $2.49 million to the USDA, selling 836,000 pounds of product...

Russia May Increase Volume of Total Allowable Pollock Catch in Years to Come 

Russia may increase the volume of total allowable pollock catch in years to come that will primarily depend on the volume of its stocks and the demand for it both in the domestic and foreign markets.

A final decision will be based on assessments of some leading Russian scientists in this field, particularly those from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO).

 According to earlier scientists’ reports, pollock stocks in Russia are assessed as stable, and it is possible to increase...

Russia Increases Fish Catch This Year, Planning More Active Exports to EU 

Russia increased its fish catch and fish products output this year despite sanctions and the ever growing pressure on the country’s fish sector.

According to data of the Russian Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo) as of May 3, the volume of fish catch in Russia amounted to 1.82 million tons; 6% more than last year. In addition, according to data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the volume of fish production in Q1 increased by 9% compared to 2022 and amounted to 1.2 million tons...

Russia Increases White Fish Exports to Western Markets in 2022 Despite Sanctions

Russia has increased its fish exports to Western markets despite sanctions and the ever growing isolation in the international arena, according to recent statistics provided by some of the country’s leading industry associations and local media reports.

In 2022 Russian fish exports to the EU grew by 18.7% to 198,800 tonnes. It also grew in value by 57.6% and amounted to € 940 million, according to recent data of the Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE) based on data Eurostat. White fish accounted for...

GAPP Touting Partnership Program at Seafood Expo Global

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) shared at Seafood Expo Global this week that its latest funding round for matching partnership dollars remains open for those looking to add Wild Alaska Pollock into new formats, channels or to raise its profile around the world.

The partnership program has now entered its fifth year and has helped drive demand and awareness for Alaska pollock.

“We know from the original research we have conducted, that consumers respond positively when they learn about all the fantastic attributes of Wild Alaska Pollock,” said...

PODCAST: Live From Seafood Expo Global With GAPP CEO Craig Morris

SeafoodNews Podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione are on location in Barcelona for Seafood Expo Global! Amanda and Lorin sit down with Craig Morris, the CEO of The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, to talk about GAPP's plans for Wild Alaska Pollock to take over the world. Learn more about GAPP's global efforts and get a tease for their upcoming annual conference, taking place in Seattle this September...

Jones Act Pollock Railway Lawsuit to Continue into 2024 After Latest Decision

The lawsuit involving a pair of American Seafoods-affiliated shipping companies and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will push into 2024.

The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason extended discovery deadlines for the case with the deadline of the final portion, “Close of Expert Discovery” to take place in February 2024.

CBP lawyers argued that due to the “ongoing, complex litigation,” the extension was necessary. The government also noted that many witnesses that may be involved in the case hail from all over North...

Russia Ready for Significant Increase of Pollock Catch in Bering, Okhotsk and Japan Seas

Russia refuses to use a precautionary approach in determining the total allowable catches (TACs) for pollock catch in the Bering, Okhotsk and Japan seas, according to recent statements made by representatives of the Federal Agency for Fishery in Vladivostok.

It is planned, the concept of maximum sustainable fishing will now be used to determine stocks. This will allow Russia to increase the pollock catch only in the Bering Sea to 2 million tons in the coming years. In the future...

JAPAN: February Seafood Imports Drop by 3% to 138,834 Tons; Value Increases to JPY 135 Billion

According to February customs statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, imports of marine products (including non-edible products) declined again while the value continued to increase, Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported.

Imports in February amounted to 138,834 tons worth 135,432.18 million yen ($1,020 million), a decrease of 3.0% in quantity from the same month of the previous year but an increase of 9.9% in value. The quantity returned to negative figures for the first time in two months, and the amount...

Russia to Revise Plans to Gain 25% Share of EU Pollock Product Market Due to Sanctions

Russia is revising its long-term plans for gaining control of almost a 25% share of the European and U.S. pollock and cod markets due to sanctions, imposed on the country.

According to experts of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, while exports to Europe, North America and Asia have dominated the structure of fish trade in Russia in recent decades, at present sales of Russian fish in certain world regions are almost completely suspended.

Simultaneously, the government no longer sets the task of...

USDA Awards Canned Salmon, East Coast Groundfish Contracts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchased just shy of $29 million worth of groundfish products and about $4.5 million worth of canned pink salmon products for use in child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs for Fiscal Year 2023.

Here is a quick breakdown of the total purchases of groundfish products:

The USDA bought 49,500 cases of frozen Atlantic pollock fillets for roughly $12.7 million; It also purchased 18,900 cases of frozen haddock fillets for $6.7 million and 35,100 cases of frozen ocean perch...

January Surimi Production In Hokkaido at 866 Tons, Down 8%; National Surimi Products Output Up 4.7%

According to the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, member reports totaled surimi production in Hokkaido in January 2023 at 866 tons, down 8% from last year. The breakdown was 855 tons of pollock surimi, down 1%, and 11 tons of Atka mackerel surimi, down 84%.

The shipment volume in Hokkaido in January was 925 tons, down 37% from a year ago.

According to member reports, inventory in Hokkaido at the end of January was 763 tons, down 26%...

Wild Alaska Pollock Influencer Demand Building Campaign Delivers Sales Lift and Improved Awareness

Awareness, perception, intent to purchase and actual sales of Wild Alaska Pollock fillet and surimi products all rose as a result of the association’s first sustained influencer-led social media campaign to promote the attributes of the fish and its taste and versatility, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. The year-long campaign, conducted in partnership with Ketchum PR, featuring six popular food and lifestyle influencers including Celebrity Chef Antonia Lofaso has now concluded and returned remarkable results that were just made available...

Wild Alaska Pollock Fillet Consumption Jumps 30 Percent in 2022 

BOSTON, Mass.— Supply for the consumption of Wild Alaska Pollock fillets rose 30 percent from the previous year to more than 130 million pounds in 2022, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. This increase represents the second highest amount since 2011 and has been driven, in large part, by an increase in consumer familiarity with Wild Alaska Pollock and awareness of its key attributes including being wild-caught, of Alaska origin and one of the most sustainable proteins available on the planet...

GAPP Board Approves Ambitious Plan for Coming Fiscal Year

SEATTLE, Wash.— Authorizing another significant round of funding for the Partnership Program and new dollars towards telling the story of the people behind the Wild Alaska Pollock, the Board approved the bold plan for the coming fiscal year, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. The plan earmarks resources for new marketing and communications efforts, including influencer collaborations as well as international research designed to build demand for Wild Alaska Pollock globally.

“This plan is a bold step forward, one that is designed to be disruptive...

Nordstrom Partnership With Trident Seafoods Continues With Commitment to Wild Alaska Pollock

Hungry shoppers who missed Nordstrom Restaurants’ partnership with Trident Seafoods last year have another chance to indulge in some delicious and nutritious wild Alaska Pollock. For the second year in a row Nordstrom Restaurants is partnering with the family-owned seafood company to add pollock to their menus. 

“Last year, Nordstrom’s menu items featuring Wild Alaska Pollock were an absolute hit with the consumer – in large part because our fish is not only versatile but also has an incredible sustainability story,” explained Craig Morris, CEO of...

USDA Eyeing Purchase of 1.25 Million Pounds of Alaska Pollock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited offers to sell various Alaska pollock products for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs.

The USDA is looking to buy 1,254,000 pounds of Alaska pollock. The USDA is looking for offers to sell 228,000 pounds of frozen Alaska pollock fillets, with the remaining purchase focusing on various counts of frozen pollock fish sticks.

The USDA said acceptances will be announced by midnight, May 23, 2023. Deliveries are to be made between July 1, 2023 through...

South Korea Imports Fresh Pollock for the First Time from Russia, an Alternative Source to Japan

South Korea has extended its reach to Russia as an alternative source of imported fresh Alaska pollock, which has so far relied on Japanese products. According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, 10.9 tons of fresh Alaska pollack from Russia were transported to South Korea for the first time on an international ferry on April 21, Suisan Keizai Shimbun reported.

In Korea, fresh Alaska pollack is called "saengtae"' and is used in various dishes, such as hot pot ingredients.

Because it must be...

Urner Barry Adds New Items to Seafood Price Report

Move to provide market transparency for products seeing rapid growth in popularity and menu adoption.

Urner Barry, the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry, is pleased to announce some exciting new additions to its Seafood coverage. Starting this week, subscribers will have exclusive access to new price series for Arctic Char, Saku and Poke cubes, European Sea Bass (commonly referred to as Bronzino), and Russian pollock.

This latest addition from Urner Barry expands market transparency in the seafood trade, providing stakeholders with accurate and unbiased pricing intelligence.

“The seafood industry is diverse and the offerings at both restaurants and retail are changing,” says Janice Schreiber, Editor of the Seafood Price Current report. “At Urner Barry, we aim to provide the most comprehensive market assessments...

Registration Now Open for Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting  

BARCELONA, Spain— Registration has officially opened for the fifth Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting to be held at the Four Seasons, Seattle, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers announced today. The event, to be themed around GAPP’s soon-to-be-launched campaign which will highlight the people behind the Wild Alaska Pollock industry, will once again feature Amanda Buckle, Managing Editor of SeafoodNews as its Master of Ceremonies. 

“It’s hard to believe that this is our fifth-ever annual meeting bringing the Wild Alaska Pollock industry together...

Russia May Limit Exports of Unprocessed Fish and Fish Products

Russia may consider limiting export of fish products of a low degree of processing with the aim to increase supplies to domestic market.

Earlier such a position was expressed by the Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko and some senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, although was criticized by representatives of some leading Russian fisherman and analysts. They believe the authorities should be more careful when deciding to limit the export of low-processed fish products, especially pollock, which is the main commercial sea resource for Russia.

Russia’s Leading Fish Roe Processor Putina Manufactures Crab Sticks

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, Russia's major fish roe maker, Putina, recently announced that it would start producing crab sticks. They will procure frozen surimi of Alaska pollock from Gidrostroy in Iturup (aka Etorofu) Island. With the emphasis on "using domestic raw materials," it is said that they will be on the shelves of major retailers around the end of this spring, reported Minato Shimbun.

In March, Putina announced that it had moved its production base from Leningrad Oblast to Parnas in northern St. Petersburg...

Wild Alaska Pollock Named Official Whitefish of NHL’s Seattle Kraken

Pollock fans, it’s time to hit the ice as Wild Alaska Pollock is now the official Whitefish of Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL).

The fish will now be available on multiple menus throughout the arena as Climate Pledge Arena looked to Seattle-based Trident Seafoods, the largest vertically integrated seafood company in the United States, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) to help provide sustainable food options to fans.

Wild Alaska Pollock will be featured in menu items created by...

Hokkaido Surimi Production in February Dropped by 34.8% to 460 Tons, with Sluggish Pollock Landings

According to a report by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, Hokkaido land-based surimi production in February saw a significant increase in production of Atka mackerel surimi compared to the same month of the previous year. However, a conspicuous decrease in mainstay Alaska pollock surimi led to an overall decrease in production, according to a report by Suisan Keizai.

In February, surimi production of Alaska pollock decreased by 42.3% from the same month of the previous year to 368 tons, while surimi of...

GAPP to Take Home Top Honor from 2023 Innovation SABRE Awards North America  

After working with popular food and lifestyle influencers since 2021, one of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producer’s (GAPP) first influencer-led campaigns is being recognized by Innovation SABRE North America as the winner in the “Data-Driven Campaign” category for 2023, the organization announced today. GAPP’s ”Sleigh the Holidays with Surimi Seafood” campaign which featured influencers creating one-of-a-kind Wild Alaska Pollock surimi-based recipes for the holiday season was designed to drive both awareness and demand for Wild Alaska Pollock...

Japan: Bid Prices at Pollock Roe Auction in Seattle Up JPY100 Per Kilo for All Grades

According to a person involved in the first stage of bidding for the A season pollock roe held in Seattle on March 7-9, the listed quantity was about 4,600 tons. The average winning bid price (excluding results undisclosed of American Seafoods) was 1,441 yen/kg ($10.92/kg) for the standard (STD) roe frozen-on-board and 1,169 yen/kg ($8.86/kg) for STD second grade. Compared to last year's A season roe, the prices have risen by more than...

Del Taco Partners With The Boston Beer Company To Make Better Beer Battered Fish Tacos

Love tacos? What about Samuel Adams Boston Lager? 

Mexican quick service restaurant Del Taco announced Thursday that they’re collaborating with the Boston Beer Company for their new premium crispy fish tacos.

The offering from Del Taco features wild-caught Alaska Pollock in a crispy beer batter that’s made with Samuel Adams Boston Lager. The taco is topped with crunchy shredded cabbage, savory secret sauce and fresh house-made pico de gallo. Everything is wrapped in a...

ANALYSIS: Cod and Pollock Imports See a Substantial Increase from China

Twice frozen cod fillets imported from mainland China, the leading supplier of frozen fillets into the U.S., is up 115.5% this January in comparison to 2022. While the fourth quarter of 2022 did see increasing imports, a year-over-year increase of 12.6%, they were minimal in comparison to January 2023...

Russia May Consider Increase of Import Duties on Frozen White Fish Fillet and Frozen Hake 

Russia may consider the increase of import duties on frozen white fish fillet and frozen hake, imports of which to the domestic market in 2022 exceeded 44,000 tons.   

That will be the result of recent calls from the Russian Association of Shipowners of the Fishing Fleet (ASRF) to the Ministry of Agriculture about the possibility of a temporary increase in import duties on some fish products.  

According to Russian Kommersant business paper, in 2022, total imports of frozen white fish fillets (hadock, cod, hake, etc.)...

JAPAN: Hokkaido Pollock Surimi Production 855 Tons In January, Down Slightly Year-On-Year

The National Surimi Manufacturers Association of Abashiri, Hokkaido, announced on February 24 that Hokkaido onshore surimi production in January was at the same level as the previous year for Alaska pollock surimi. Still, the production of Atka mackerel surimi, which had increased significantly in the same month of the previous year, decreased. Suisan Keizai reported that it led to an overall decrease in production.

In January, 855 tons of Alaska pollack surimi was almost the same level as the previous year. Atka mackerel surimi remained at...