MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Seafood Trends

Published on May 4, 2026

Calamari/Squid

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Limson’s supply is strong, effectively meeting customer needs.

Pricing across the broader market remains elevated.

Outlook: Supply is secure, but expect pricing to remain high for the near term.

Cod Alaskan Shatter Fillets 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Seasonal labor shortages in Alaska are significantly impacting production capacity.

New season output is limited, keeping market prices elevated.

Outlook: Limited availability and higher costs will persist until labor issues stabilize.

Cod Atlantic Loins 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Market pricing reached historical highs, leading to a Y-O-Y decrease in overall demand.

Limson maintains ample stock levels despite the high market costs.

Outlook:Ā Supply is healthy, but demand is cooling due to peak pricing.

Cod Atlantic Shatter Fillets/Loins 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Icelandic cod costs are high due to quota cuts, a 10% tariff, and strong demand in the EU and UK.

Newfoundland loins (4/5/6 oz) are also elevated despite a slight increase in quota.

Outlook:Ā Supply remains tight with continued upward pressure on costs.

Cod Pacific Loins 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock is available, but post-Lent demand remains very strong.

10% tariffs from China and Y-O-Y quota cuts of over 20% are driving prices up.

Russian sanctions and the completion of Alaskan “A” season are further restricting global supply.

Outlook:Ā Expect elevated pricing to continue; the “B” season is expected in August/September.

Snow Crab—Canadian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
All three major Canadian zones are active with heavy production.

Ample LTL and truckload inventory are available as pricing begins to settle.

Outlook:Ā Strong demand is met by steady supply; prices are finally stabilizing.

Grouper—Asian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The overall market remains very tight. Supply for 8-10oz fillets is extremely limited.

A surge in sales during Lent and shortages in other species have exhausted inventories.

Outlook:Ā Limson has good availability for 4-6oz and 6-8oz, but the market remains stressed.

Haddock

Supply

Price

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

Extremely high demand in the European Union is diverting available global supply.

Outlook:Ā Expect continued record-high pricing and limited availability.

Hake Fillets/Loins

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Limited supply reaching the US as most inventory is diverted to the EU market.

Pricing is elevated as a direct result of these supply constraints.

Outlook:Ā US availability will remain restricted with higher associated costs.

Euro Lake Perch & Pike Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock exists for all sizes of pike perch/zander.

Euro lake perch is tightening due to low Great Lakes quotas, making these “price fighters” against domestic offerings.

Outlook:Ā Steady supply and stable pricing for pike perch.

Ā 

Lake Fish Smelt

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Canadian processors report dry markets with no Great Lakes schools being found.

European smelts are being used as a supplement to fill the domestic void.

Outlook:Ā Domestic supply is essentially non-existent; expect high costs for imports.

Lake Fish Walleye

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Harvesting is going well with good availability across all sizes, especially 4-12oz.

Prices are trickling up solely due to very strong market demand.

Outlook: Availability is healthy, but expect minor price increases due to popularity.

Lake Fish White Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
The overall market currently shows ample stock levels.

Stable supply is keeping prices flat across most regions.

Outlook: Conditions are stable and expected to remain so.

Lake Fish Yellow Perch

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
A 26% quota reduction for 2026 means supply will not be ample this year.

New catch is trickling in at a slow pace since mid-May.

Outlook: Expect prices to continue to increase as supply remains constrained.

Lobster—NA Tails

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Live lobster demand is high, which limits frozen tail production.

Leftover inventory from past seasons is helping keep current pricing in check.

Outlook: Market supply is picking up, providing a buffer for pricing.

Lobster—NA Meats

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Meat demand waned in early 2026, causing prices to fall slightly week-to-week recently.

Spring Canadian season is now online, making meat ample in supply and fair in price.

Outlook: A buyer’s market for meat as supply is very healthy.

Mahi Mahi

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Extremely tight market with prices at historical highs; Asian season has just begun.

US importers are all leaning on Asian mahi, but there won’t be enough for everyone.

Outlook: Gaps in supply are still expected despite some inbound shipments.

Oysters, Mussels & Clams

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
New 2026 Gulf oysters and Canadian mussels are now available.

Chilean mussels remain short, but NZ and Vietnamese clams/mussels are readily available.

Outlook: Market is ample in stock with mostly steady pricing.

Pollock 1x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Labor shortages in Alaska are limiting new season production.

Limited supply is causing market prices to remain elevated.

Outlook:Pricing and supply will remain challenging until labor issues resolve.

Pollock 2x

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock exists, and post-Lent demand is relatively weak.

Tariffs from China and Russian sanctions remain factors in the background.

Outlook: Supply is strong enough to keep pricing flat for now.

Salmon (Farmed)—Chilean

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Overall market stock levels are ample.

These offerings serve as good price fighters against higher-priced Norwegian options.

Outlook: Stable conditions expected for Chilean salmon.

Salmon (Farmed)—Norwegian

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Supply is picking up, which is normal for this time of year.

Markets are currently working through higher-priced early 2026 inventory.

Outlook: Prices should begin to come down late Summer as new inventory arrives.

Scallops

Supply

Price

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

While US quotas are down for the 6th year, prices remain flat while supply is available.

Outlook: Expect prices to stay elevated long-term until biomass readings improve.

Shrimp Black Tiger

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Section 122 tariffs (10%) are creating an “import race” through July 2026.

Stocks are thin due to off-season lows, which will keep pricing elevated through Q2.

Outlook: Return to healthy inventory levels forecasted for later this year.

Shrimp Domestic

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Texas fishery is closed until mid-July; harvesting is currently restricted to Louisiana/Eastern waters.

High fuel prices and small-sized catches are increasing competition for larger white shrimp.

Outlook: Brown shrimp inventories are sufficient until the Texas season reopens.

Shrimp White Imported

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Indian exports have surged following duty rollbacks; high-volume orders are landing in Q2.

Supply chain velocity remains slow due to Red Sea diversions adding 10-14 days to transit.

Outlook: Lower Indian duties are being offset by surging oil and freight costs.

Swai

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Overall supply meets demand, but higher global demand is causing slight cost increases.

Small size fillets (3-5 oz) are particularly tight until Q3.

Outlook: Expect slight price elevation as global markets compete for supply.

Tilapia

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Ample stock is available to meet current market requirements.

Pricing remains relatively stable year-over-year.

Outlook: Market is expected to remain stable for the foreseeable future.

Yellow Tuna/Swordfish

Supply

Price

Key Drivers:
Overall market shows ample stock with frozen inventories readily available.

Pricing is remaining firm or coming down slightly in certain sectors.

Outlook: Stable supply is preventing sharp price spikes.

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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