The United States is pairing efforts to expand seafood production and processing with export-market negotiations after a $20.7 billion seafood trade deficit persisted in 2025 despite higher exports.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data show seafood exports reached $5.523 billion in 2025, up 12% from 2024. The country ranked 10th among seafood exporters by value. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) calculated the deficit at $20.7 billion in 2025 dollars.
The longer-term figures show a widening gap. ERS data indicate inflation-adjusted seafood exports in 2025 were about 21% below their 1995 level, while imports were 83% higher.
A USTR summary issued Wednesday, Oct. 28, followed the White House’s Oct. 23 announcement of the strategy. In a summary published Oct. 28, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) identified foreign trade barriers, fisheries subsidies and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as issues the strategy seeks to address.
The plan calls for expanding domestic production and processing, streamlining permits and improving access to financing. It also proposes using government purchasing and a national campaign to promote U.S. seafood, alongside stronger import monitoring. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says agencies will use existing authorities and programs. NOAA says the strategy aims to benefit U.S. fishermen, processors and coastal communities.
USTR pointed to published trade-agreement texts with Taiwan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Ecuador and Indonesia that include fisheries provisions. It also cited Japanese seafood tariffs of up to 10% and import quotas, and described European Union CATCH reporting requirements as burdensome. The European Commission set Jan. 10, 2026, as the date from which EU importers were required to submit catch certificates through CATCH.
The Oct. 23 rollout included USDA loan support and proposed FDA labeling guidance. The White House said the USDA was making more than $5 billion in guaranteed loans available for modernized meat and seafood processing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued nonbinding draft guidance on U.S.-origin seafood statements. NOAA says it plans a yearly report on trade gaps and market access but has not announced when the first will appear; comments on the FDA guidance are due Dec. 28, 2026.
