MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Seafood Trends

Published on May 4, 2026

Calamari/Squid

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Limson’s supply remains strong even as the wider market faces pricing elevation.

Outlook: Pricing is expected to stay elevated, but inventory levels are secure.

Cod Alaskan Shatter Fillets 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Seasonal labor shortages in Alaska have restricted production for the new season.

Outlook: Production remains limited and prices will stay elevated.

Cod Atlantic Loins 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Demand has slowed Y-O-Y due to historically high market pricing, leaving Limson with ample stock.

Outlook: Expect high pricing despite availability of ample stock.

Cod Atlantic Shatter Fillets/Loins 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Icelandic costs are up due to quota cuts, a 10% tariff, and strong European demand.

Newfoundland loins are also elevated despite a slight quota increase.

Outlook:

Pricing remains elevated across major Atlantic cod origins.

Cod Pacific Loins 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
A 10% tariff from China, Russian sanctions, and a 20%+ Y-O-Y quota cut are driving costs.

Outlook:

Demand remains strong post-Lent with pricing expected to remain elevated.

Snow Crab—Canadian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Production is running heavily in Canada with all three major zones online.

Ample truckload and LTL inventory are currently available.

Outlook:

Price is still settling and the market remains volatile despite ample supply.

Grouper—Asian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Wild caught supply is very tight following a surge in sales during the Lent season.

Outlook:

Good availability on 4-6oz and 6-8oz fillets, but 8-10oz remains extremely tight.

Haddock

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Costs are at historical highs due to poor catches and a 10% tariff on product from China.

Strong demand in the EU is further tightening global availability.

Outlook:

Expect continued high pricing and limited supply.

Hake Fillets/Loins

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Most global supply is being diverted to the EU market where demand is stronger.

Outlook:

Limited US supply will keep local pricing elevated.

Euro Lake Perch & Pike Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The market has ample stock for all sizes of pike perch/zander.

Euro lake perch supply is beginning to tighten.

Outlook: These species remain good “price fighters” compared to Great Lakes offerings.

Lake Fish Smelt

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Demand continues to exceed availability, leaving the market completely dry.

Winter fishing efforts yielded no success for processors.

Outlook:

Availability remains uncertain as the market waits for a successful harvest.

Lake Fish Walleye

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Harvesting is coming in very well with good availability across all sizes.

Outlook:

Expect 4-6oz through 10-12oz sizes to be readily available; smaller sizes will increase as yellow perch season peaks.

Lake Fish White Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The overall market currently shows ample stock.

Outlook: Conditions are stable and expected to remain so.

Lake Fish Yellow Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
A 26% quota reduction for 2026 and a slow start to the season are tightening supply.

Outlook:

Specie will not be ample this year; expect prices to continue to increase.

Lobster—NA Tails

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The market became very dry for most sizes leading into the Spring Canadian season.

Outlook:

Production is kicking off in May; pricing relief is expected once inventories replenish.

Lobster—NA Meats

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Demand waned in early 2026, leading to a slight week-over-week price decline.

Availability is currently ample with more production expected soon.

Outlook: The market is well-supplied ahead of the Spring Canadian season.

Mahi Mahi

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Market remains extremely tight with historical high pricing.

Asian production has started slowly with minimal container volume confirmed so far.

Outlook:

Gaps in supply are still expected as importers compete for limited Asian stock.

Oysters, Mussels & Clams

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock exists for Gulf half-shell oysters and Canadian mussels with steady pricing.

Chilean mussels remain short, putting upward pressure on their specific pricing.

Outlook:

Overall market is stable, though some specialty items face upward price pressure.

Pollock 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Seasonal labor shortages in Alaska have limited new season production.

Outlook: Supply remains limited and prices stay elevated.

Pollock 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock is available and demand following the Lent season is relatively weak.

Russian sanctions and a 10% tariff from China remain active factors.

Outlook:

Prices are expected to remain steady due to high inventory levels.

Salmon (Farmed)—Chilean

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Market has ample stock, though pricing is slightly elevated due to tariffs.

Outlook: The market is expected to remain stable with consistent supply.

Salmon (Farmed)—Norwegian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Supply is tightening while prices are being driven up by tariffs and a weak USD compared to the NOK.

Outlook: Expect elevated prices as supply conditions tighten.

Scallops

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The 2026 US fishery is underway with initial catches coming in well.

The US quota was down slightly again for the 6th consecutive year.

Outlook: Prices remain flat while supply is available, but elevated pricing will persist until biomass recovers.

Shrimp Black Tiger

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
A 10% Section 122 duty applies through July 24, 2026, creating an “import race.”

Stocks are currently thin due to off-season lows.

Outlook:

Pricing will remain elevated through Q2; a return to healthy inventory is forecast for later this year.

Shrimp Domestic

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Production effectively stalled due to high fuel costs, though a resumption is expected in mid-May.

Current brown and peeled shrimp stocks are sufficient for demand.

Outlook: Expect acute shortages in larger HLSO white shrimp (10/15 through 21/25 counts).

Shrimp White Imported

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Indian exports surged in March following duty cuts; a significant rebound in arrivals is expected in Q2.

The 10% Section 122 surcharge remains active until July 24, 2026.

Outlook: Surging freight and oil costs are neutralizing gains from lower duties, keeping prices firm.

Swai

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Higher global demand is causing slight cost increases across the market.

Outlook: Overall supply meets demand, but smaller 3-5 oz fillets will be tight until Q3.

Tilapia

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The market maintains ample stock with pricing remaining relatively stable Y-O-Y.

Outlook: Stable conditions are expected to continue.

Yellow Tuna/Swordfish

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Frozen inventories are readily available and the overall market seems ample in stock.

Outlook: Pricing is remaining firm or starting to come down slightly.

This comprehensive research empowers you to make informed business decisions. The information contained in this monthly market update is for informational purposes only. It represents our best estimates of commodity market conditions and is subject to change without notice. While we strive to provide accurate information, Gordon Food Service cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content. Any reliance you place on this information is strictly at your own risk.

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