I had the opportunity to attend Seafood Expo North America in Boston this year, the largest seafood trade event in North America and an influential gathering for the global seafood industry. With companies across harvesting, processing, distribution, and retail all in one place, it remains a valuable opportunity to reconnect with partners, meet new players, and get a real-time pulse on what’s happening across the industry.
This year’s show was well attended, and overall, the tone felt positive, even with plenty of challenges still in the mix.
As always, nothing replaces face-to-face conversations. Sunday in particular stood out as a strong day to connect and have meaningful discussions about what companies are seeing in their businesses right now.
A few themes came up consistently throughout those conversations:
Tariffs, fuel costs, and sourcing decisions are closely linked
Tariffs and global uncertainty are continuing to influence how companies think about sourcing. Many are looking more closely at domestic or alternative options, especially if they have historically relied heavily on imports. For example, companies that once sourced shrimp from regions like Vietnam may now be exploring U.S.-based or other sourcing strategies.
At the same time, rising fuel costs, particularly diesel, are adding pressure across the supply chain. For U.S. shrimpers operating on already tight margins, that creates real challenges around profitability. Taken together, these factors are pushing companies to be more strategic and flexible in how they manage sourcing and pricing.
Hiring is more targeted, with a focus on execution
From a talent standpoint, there is a noticeable shift toward caution. Many companies are focused on doing more with their existing teams rather than expanding quickly. There is a wait-and-see mindset in a lot of cases, especially given the broader economic and geopolitical backdrop.
When companies are hiring, the needs are very specific. In sales, for example, there is strong demand for true hunters, people who can go out and win new business or break into targeted accounts. It is less about adding headcount broadly and more about finding the right person who can make an immediate impact.
Consolidation continues across the industry
M&A activity remains steady, particularly as many family-owned businesses begin thinking about succession. We are seeing more of these companies transition to private equity, venture capital, or larger strategic operators.
Seafood has always had a strong base of independent, family-run businesses, and that is not going away. But at the same time, larger organizations are continuing to grow, and that trend will likely continue into 2026, especially for companies with the capital to invest.
Cost pressures are driving new approaches to growth
Cost pressure continues to be a major factor, and companies are responding in different ways. One trend that stood out is the number of businesses with a strong foodservice background that are now introducing CPG products as well.
That shift gives companies another avenue for growth, helping to diversify revenue streams while increasing brand visibility at the consumer level.
Sustainability and aquaculture remain key priorities
Sustainability continues to be a central focus across the industry. Aquaculture, in particular, continues to gain attention as a scalable option for meeting demand.
As expectations around responsible sourcing continue to grow, aquaculture is playing a larger role in making seafood more accessible while supporting long-term supply stability.
What stood out across the show floor
Beyond the conversations, the show floor reflected a mix of scale and innovation. Larger companies like Cooke made a strong impression with their presence (hello two-story booth) and breadth of offerings, while others, like Cox’s Seafood, focused on highlighting new value-added Gulf shrimp CPG products.
Products like salmon jerky sticks, with SurfSnax as one example, stood out as companies look for more accessible, everyday ways to bring seafood to consumers.
There were also moments on the show floor that highlighted the craftsmanship and global nature of the industry. One example was Balfegó’s live tuna cutting demonstration featuring a 500-pound fish, which drew a lot of attention and spoke to both the scale and tradition behind the category.
What this means moving forward
Seafood Expo North America 2026 reinforced that this is a dynamic, global, and highly collaborative industry. Companies are balancing cost pressures, shifting supply chains, and evolving consumer expectations, while continuing to invest in innovation and long-term growth.
From a talent perspective, that means a continued focus on leaders who can execute, adapt, and drive results in a more complex environment.
As these trends continue to unfold, they will certainly shape hiring strategies and organizational priorities across the seafood industry in the months ahead.
For organizations evaluating leadership needs or navigating change within their business, please reach out. I’d be glad to connect and share what I’m seeing in the talent market and how it may impact your team.
Meet The Author
Eli Jones
Eli began his career in staffing, building strong expertise in hiring and retaining office and field talent in challenging markets. A Minnesota State University Moorhead graduate, he quickly advanced into multi-site management roles, where he developed lasting client, candidate, and internal relationships. Since joining Curtis Food Recruiters in 2022, Eli has brought extensive experience in sales, account and recruitment management, contract negotiation, budgeting, and team building, along with a passion for connecting professionals with the right opportunities by understanding the unique needs of both clients and candidates.