Editor's Picks: From Russia with debt and diversification, a black cod breakthrough and Rodger May outbids allcomers
A look back at some of the top stories from this week in seafood.
Below, a recap of just some of the week's top stories on IntraFish. Click on the links to read more.
This week, IntraFish has been reporting live from Russia’s VII Global Fishery Forum in the city of St. Petersburg. We spoke to Alexey Buglak, president of the country’s pollock industry lobby, who warned of an "overheating" fillet market in Europe, and to German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Fishery Association, who revealed that the fishing industry's debts had surpassed $10 billion.
Among other stories from the forum:
- Whitefish giant Norebo revealed that it is diversifying to ease the pressure of sanctions.
- The head of a fishing union revealed European buyers are ‘refusing our Atlantic cod and haddock’.
- Crab producer Antey provided details about its Asia-Pacific expansion plans.
- The Pollock Catchers' Association signed a deal with Russia’s largest supermarket chain operator.
One of our most-read stories featured entrepreneur Rodger May and the latest twist in the Peter Pan Seafood saga. IntraFish was first to report that May outbid more than a dozen competitors for the assets of the bankrupt Alaska processor – although the deal is certain to face further scrutiny.
Two well-known pioneers of land-based farming told IntraFish they have secured a site for their next venture. The Black Cod Company will build its facility in the southern Netherlands and has space to expand as the project gathers pace.
The winds could be shifting for salmon farmers across the globe, Drew Cherry argues in his latest Opinion piece, with Norway, Chile and Canada all gearing up for elections that could usher in governments more sympathetic to the salmon farming industry. This follows the news that Norway’s main opposition party would significantly reduce the country’s aquaculture tax should it triumph in a 2025 vote.
In Canada, a Norwegian salmon farmer found a First Nation partner to help launch its new closed-containment salmon farm in British Columbia. Could this be a sign of things to come, with a netpen ban looming?
Seattle-based Ocean Beauty Seafoods, meanwhile, is rebranding its smoked and value-added operations as a separate, standalone business.
In feed, the outlook for fishmeal supply has stabilized after a strong Peruvian anchovy harvest. The head of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) told IntraFish exclusively about a brighter outlook for the sector. And we also heard the VIEWPOINT of Petter Johannessen, director general of The Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO), who says precision nutrition will be key to the future of aquafeed.
Meanwhile, on the IntraFish podcast, M&A whisperer Ignacio Kleiman of Antarctica Securities reflects on this year's big deals in seafood and the organizer of last week’s Global Shrimp Forum in the Netherlands reflects on the steps required to unite a fragmented industry.
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