Market opportunities and regulations take centre stage at Boston show
The changing dynamics of salmon demand in the United States will be examined at a talk during the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) exposition and conference in Boston today.
Growing the share of households that consume salmon is increasingly difficult, says Henrik Vandvik Vedeler, partner in Boston Consulting Group and co-leader of its global aquaculture and seafood practice.
Growth must come by substituting salmon for other proteins, and that requires a different playbook and go-to-market capabilities than what a fragmented industry currently possess, including new innovations, says Vedeler, formerly at algal oil producer Veramaris / DSM.
Vedeler, who will deliver a 45-minute presentation in Room 153CB from 11.30 am local time, believes grocery will be the key growth channel, but requires closer collaboration and support from retailers. In the session, he will present findings from a larger market study on the US market and what it means for the industry going forward.
Other presentations today include "The state of salmon processing in North America" (9.30am, room 152 CB) by Nils Rabe, of BAADER North America Corp.,
“Federal policy, regulatory, and litigation changes impacting the fisheries and aquacuture industries” (11.30am, room 155) by lawyers from K&L Gates LLP, and a panel discussion entitled “The future of aquaculture in America – and yes, there is one” (3.15pm, room 155).
1,215 companies
The latest edition of SENA, produced by US-based Diversified, opened for its 44th edition yesterday and continues today and tomorrow. The expo covers 247,915 net square feet, hosting 1,215 exhibiting companies representing 50 countries at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Centre, Boston.
Exhibitors include salmon farmers Mowi and Bakkafrost, which both have operations in Scotland. Smaller Scottish salmon farmers Loch Duart and Mowi-owned Wester Ross Fisheries are exhibiting at the Scottish Pavilion presented by Seafood from Scotland.
Chilean salmon heavyweight AquaChile is also prominent, along with other Chilean salmon producers. The United States is Chile’s biggest market, and remains an important destination for seafood despite tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Connecting suppliers
There is first-time representation at SENA from Costa Rica, Hong Kong, the Maldives, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland.
“We're seeing growth from countries including Vietnam, Ecuador, Taiwan, and Portugal, a testament to the significance of this event in connecting international suppliers with the North American market,” said Diversified seafood vice president Brenna Hensley said in a press release.
SENA’s conference program features 40 sessions with 125 of the top industry experts offering practical takeaways and forward-looking perspectives, Diversified said.
The keynote address yesterday was made by macro-economist, geopolitical financial expert, and best-selling author Dr Nomi Prins. Her address, “Fork in the Current: The Economic and Trade Realities Shaping Seafood in 2026,” discussed how macro forces in the global market could impact the cost structures, sourcing strategies, and regional demand for seafood.
