Maruha Nichiro’s North American and European operations took a heavy hit in the first half of the year, with weak wild salmon and surimi markets, and heavy blows to foodservice sales from the coronavirus lockdown. But the group remains confident that a gradual recovery will put things back on track by the end of the year.

Earnings at the company's North America and Europe operations fell by JPY 500 million ($4.7 million/€4 million) in the first half compared with the year prior, leaving the company nearly break-even with the year prior, while sales sank by JPY 2.9