Supply chain challenges have hit the Alaska pollock sector over the past year as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, while demand has remained strong, said Rasmus Sorensen, executive vice president of Global Sales for Seattle-based American Seafoods speaking at this year's North Atlantic Seafood Forum.

"Especially when it comes to whitefish blocks and surimi, the supply chain got stressed quite fast. There was an over demand and undersupply that developed."

China had COVID issues and shut down, the global shipping crisis is severely impacting product flow, and product flows in and out of China have been quite difficult and continue to be, he said.

Russia also started changing product format focus, putting more emphasis on value-added products and producing more block and surimi, a trend that's likely to continue.

Alaska also had its challenges, with COVID outbreaks hindering production and catching.

Sorensen said 2021 will continue to be dominated by supply challenges. “Everything will be short and late I don't see anything changing on that front anytime soon,” he said.

Meanwhile demand for pollock will continue to be strong, said Sorensen. “Frozen food is sexy again, and all indicators suggest even when the pandemic is behind us all of these new customer are likely to stay.”

Additionally, foodservice will come back online as the world gets vaccinated and people return to restaurants.

“So there will be an enormous pipeline to be filled here in addition to continued strong demand from retail sector,” said Sorensen.

Whitefish

Alaska pollock supply chain under stress as it strains to fill 'enormous pipeline'