Argentina's shrimp fishing sector consolidated a strong recovery in the first quarter of 2026.

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Sales of whole shrimp reached 13,000 tons, an impressive 75.9% increase compared to 2025. This surge generated $79 million in revenue (a 110% increase relative to the January–April period of last year), a rebound largely explained by the fleet's inactivity in 2025. Additionally, the average price rose 19.4%, trading at $6,072 per ton. Spain remained the primary destination, skyrocketing its purchases by 138% with shipments totaling 8,602 tons.

Meanwhile, exports of shrimp tails showed more moderate growth. The exported volume increased by 4%, totaling 28,000 tons, which injected $215.7 million into the economy (an 8.9% increase over the previous year). The declared average price for this value-added product closed upward by 4.6%, reaching $7,699 per ton.

Fisheries trade between Argentina and the United States recorded exponential growth during the first four months of 2026. Foreign sales of these premium deep-sea products reached record figures, driven by unprecedented North American demand.

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According to the latest industry reports, global exports of Patagonian toothfish totaled 1,056 tons, representing a 28% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, shipments of Southern king king crab totaled 659 tons, marking a 31.1% rise compared to 2025.

The main driver of this phenomenon was the United States. The North American giant purchased 600 tons of Patagonian toothfish, a staggering 262% increase over last year, paying an average price of $30,343 per ton. Regarding Southern king crab, U.S. purchases skyrocketed to 360 tons, a 357% surge compared to 2025, with an average value of $19,475 per ton, consolidating this market as a key partner for the Argentine fishing sector.

The China Feed Industry Association released its national feed production report on its official WeChat account on May 27, 2026. The data reveals that in April 2026, China’s national industrial feed output reached 28.89 million tons. This represents a 2.8% decrease month-on-month, but a 2.4% increase year-on-year.

Product performance varied by sector:

• Compound feed grew by 3.2% year-on-year.

• Concentrated feed dropped by 16.3% year-on-year.

• Additive premixed feed dipped by 1.6% year-on-year.

Market pricing saw mixed trends. Ex-factory prices for major compound feeds and additive premixed feeds climbed both year-on-year and month-on-month. Conversely, concentrated feed prices fell across both metrics.

Ingredient formulations also shifted. Corn made up

The European Commission has greenlit a €13 million French state aid package to rescue fishing operations hit hard by skyrocketing fuel costs tied to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.

This marks the very first support package approved under the brand-new Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), which the Commission adopted on 29 April 2026.

The emergency measure responds to a brutal 75% surge in marine fuel costs between late February and April 2026. To stabilize the sector and protect regional food security, the French government will issue direct cash grants through 31 December 2026, retroactively covering fuel purchases from April and May 2026.

Impacted businesses will receive payouts calculated directly from their fuel consumption:

• €0.20 per litre purchased between 1 and 30 April 2026.

• €0.35 per litre purchased between 1 and 31 May 2026.

The Commission validated the aid under Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, concluding the plan is entirely necessary, balanced, and fair without distorting the EU market.

GALWAY — Eight of Ireland’s most promising aquatech companies gathered today for the three-day 2026 BIM AquaScale Innovation Studio+, an intensive business growth programme designed to accelerate international expansion.

Hosted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) in partnership with Hatch Blue, the event highlights a booming domestic sector that now comprises more than 90 companies, employs over 1,000 people, and generates an estimated €182 million in turnover—marking an 85% increase over the past decade.

Among the participants is pioneering biotech firm Auranta, led by co-founder John Cullen, which is targeting global leadership in natural animal health. Meanwhile, Kenbro Boats, founded by Aidan Kennedy, aims to leverage the event to export its fully recyclable HDPE vessels to major salmon farming regions like Scotland and Norway.

Damien Toner, BIM Aquatech Business Manager, and Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO of BIM, emphasized that Ireland is entering a pivotal stage to become a global centre of excellence for sustainable seafood production, positioning its home-grown talent for vital foreign investment.

As margins tighten, quotas change, and labour grows scarce, more seafood processors are turning to onshore automation to stabilise output and protect quality.

Optimising existing production facilities is an important part of staying competitive in the market and improving production capacity. Onshore automation is about reliable flow, fewer touches, and clean design that works every day.In recent years, Carsoe, a trusted partner in onboard seafood processing, has supplied several onshore processing solutions for both fish and shellfish focused on automating processes.

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

Andfjord Salmon reported a Q1 operating loss of NOK 25 million (€2.33 million) as the land-based salmon farmer remained without harvest revenues ahead of its first commercial post-smolt sale next month.

The company generated operating income of NOK 0.1 million during the quarter, while net loss widened to NOK 23.9 million (€2.22 million) from NOK 18 million a year earlier.Andfjord said the first post-smolt delivery under its partnership with Eidsfjord Sjøfarm is scheduled for mid-June, ahead of schedule due to stronger-than-expected growth in pool K1 at its Kvalnes facility on Andøya.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here

Scottish shellfish farms produced more than 12,000 tonnes of mussels in 2025, the highest level of output recorded for the country.

The figures come from the Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2025, compiled by the Scottish Government based on returns from authorised shellfish farming businesses.

The survey shows that 12,303 tonnes of mussels were produced last year. The first sale value for farmed Scottish shellfish in total was estimated at £15.1 million, representing an 8% increase compared with 2024.

Author: Robert Outram / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here