The turbulence in the frozen seafood sector continues.

Following recent bankruptcies of Proa Internacional, Pescados Rubén, and Aquamar Gold, Alimarket has exclusively learned that a prominent, family-owned group, ranking 38th in the TOP 100 with annual sales exceeding €110 million and a volume of nearly 9,000 tons, is facing significant operational constraints.

The company has been operating at a reduced capacity for several weeks while exploring various strategic alternatives and divestments to ensure its long-term viability. This report details the factors contributing to the group's current situation and the measures being considered to address these challenges.

Read the full story here (only available in spanish)

Vannamei shrimp farmers in Ungkea Village, North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, recently discovered a unique, golden-colored shrimp during a harvest.

The 0.5-gram shrimp was found in a pond on Monday, February 10, 2025, report Rudy A. Mairi from Metro Sulteng.

Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) are adaptable to saltwater, brackish water, and freshwater environments, and are found throughout the Pacific, coastal Mexico, the US, and Central America.  They are also commercially farmed in Ungkea, a village known for its tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Shrimp farming is a significant contributor to Indonesia's foreign exchange earnings.

Veteran shrimp farmer Mahmud Nusu, who has decades of experience, expressed surprise at the discovery.  While harvesting 20 tons of shrimp, he noticed the unusual golden shrimp.  "During harvest, one of the shrimp caught our attention," said Nusu. "Its color was a yellowish gold. Perhaps this is a natural sign, or perhaps farmers can capitalize on this 'golden shrimp' and Ungkea can become a leading Vannamei shrimp producer for North Morowali Regency and even Central Sulawesi Province."

Elin Balyk, a long-established fish farm in Turkmenistan, is diversifying its aquaculture operations with the introduction of Rosenberg freshwater prawn breeding.

Located on a 130-hectare site along the Karakum River in the Ak Bugday district of Ahal province, the farm has been operating for over a decade.  Its facilities include 20 ponds (totaling 400 square meters), six indoor rearing facilities for various life stages of fish and shrimp, and a newly commissioned hatchery equipped with Russian, Iranian, and European technologies.

Elin Balyk utilizes modern aquaculture practices, featuring a closed water recirculation system that minimizes water consumption (10% water loss) and an intensive, chemical- and antibiotic-free approach with optimized oxygenation.

The farm has recently begun breeding Rosenberg freshwater prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii), a species native to Thailand known for its large size (up to 100 grams) and distinctive appearance.

Further expansion is planned with the introduction of Vannamei shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), a saltwater species. Elin Balyk has invested in training its personnel in Iran and Thailand to acquire the specialized aquaculture techniques required for this new venture.  The company anticipates receiving an additional land allocation to support this expansion.

A new reporting series by CNN has focused on India’s shrimp-processing industry, alleging ongoing labor issues and a lack of oversight.

The report, which is part of CNN’s ongoing “The Great Illusion” series, interviewed migrant women and girls working at seafood plants in Andhra Pradesh, India. While the majority of those interviewed said their lives had improved overall thanks to the jobs, it also revealed what CNN described as extreme working and living conditions with long shifts and no days off – in violation of India’s labor laws.

Author: Chris Chase / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

To be operated by Soul of Japan, a subsidiary of the Pure Salmon Group, the ambitious new Tsu City facility is currently under construction, with harvests expected to begin during 2027.

The significant funding boost, raised by 8F Asset Management will support the completion of the remaining construction activities, in addition to the beginning of operations as salmon production gets underway. The investment includes contributions from the 8F Aquaculture Fund and $300 million in long-term debt granted by a group of Japanese banks.

Source: The Fish Site l Read the full article here

SalMar Aker Ocean secures approval for Ocean Farm 2 at new site.

SalMar Aker Ocean has received regulatory approval to establish “Ocean Farm 2” at a new site in Frøya, 16 kilometers north of the existing “Ocean Farm 1” facility, marking a further step in the company’s expansion into offshore aquaculture.

The “Ocean Farm” concept is a semi-submersible structure designed for salmon farming in exposed offshore locations. The second iteration will be 70 meters high with a 120-meter diameter, slightly larger than its predecessor. The facility will accommodate between three and four million salmon, with a permitted biomass of between 6,500 and 8,750 tonnes at any given time.

Source: SalmomBusiness l Read the full article here

Bangladesh will export locally produced vaccines in the future while ensuring domestic demand, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said on Sunday.

"Lumpy Skin Disease is a transboundary animal disease, and its impact extends beyond livestock, affecting people directly and indirectly," she said.

She made the remarks as the chief guest at a ceremony marking the handover of the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine seed developed under the "Zoonosis and Transboundary Animal Disease Prevention and Control Research" project by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) at a hotel in Dhaka.

Highlighting the importance of vaccine production, she urged authorities to assess the economic damage caused by the disease and ramp up research and laboratory capabilities.

"Due to climate change, new diseases and pathogens are emerging. The government is committed to supporting scientists in combating these challenges," she added.

She emphasised that livestock officials must continue raising awareness about LSD to determine whether consuming infected beef poses risks to human health.

BLRI Director General Dr Shakila Farooq presided over the ceremony.

Source: UNB News

The Norwegian Seafood Council is closely monitoring the evolving trade relationship between the US and China following the US's recent tariff increases on Chinese goods.

While China's initial response has been measured, and seafood has so far been excluded from retaliatory measures, the country has filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging tariff violations and protectionism. The US justifies the tariffs, in part, by citing concerns about opioid smuggling from China.

The WTO process is unlikely to yield immediate results. China's approach may be aimed at portraying itself as a compliant participant in the international trade system, contrasting with the US's unilateral actions.

Potential Impacts on Norwegian Seafood Exports

Developments in this trade dispute are critical for Norwegian seafood exporters. If the US seeks to bolster its domestic seafood processing sector, it may implement tariff exemptions on raw material imports. This strategy mirrors the EU's use of autonomous tariff quotas, allowing duty-free raw material imports for processing within the EU.

The ultimate impact of the US tariffs will depend on China's subsequent actions and any adjustments the US makes to protect its own industries. Therefore, close observation of these developments is essential for the Norwegian seafood industry.