ACT Capital Advisors Report Reveals Seafood Industry Growth Through Value-Based Practices

Analyzing the 2025 Seafood Industry Report from ACT Capital Advisors

Introduction
ACT Capital Advisors, a prominent investment banking firm specializing in seafood and agribusiness sectors, has unveiled its annual Seafood Industry Report for 2025, providing valuable insights into the North American seafood market. The report delineates the key trends, challenges, and strategic movements affecting the industry, shedding light on how value-led growth has been achieved amidst various hurdles.

Market Trends and Growth Drivers
The report highlights that U.S. seafood market revenue witnessed growth primarily through increased consumer prices, rather than expanding sales volumes. In 2025, the advent of new product formats, such as ready-to-eat meals and shelf-stable seafood, significantly enhanced profit margins. Despite a stable year-on-year volume, the shift in consumer preferences towards high-quality, sustainable protein sources has been pivotal. Younger consumers, in particular, are increasingly gravitating towards products that are not only healthy but also convenient for home cooking and on-the-go consumption.

Impact of Geopolitical Factors
Another notable factor affecting the seafood market is the geopolitical landscape, especially concerning tariff policies. These policies have markedly reduced import volumes from crucial suppliers, further influencing price dynamics and supply routes. However, the report reassures that the supply of wild-caught seafood from sustainably managed fisheries remains consistent. Meanwhile, aquaculture practices have shown rewarding advancements in sustainability, fostering resilience in operations amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

Mergers and Acquisitions: A Mark of Consolidation
The year 2025 also witnessed a continuation of robust activity in mergers and acquisitions, building on the trends initiated in the previous year. The seafood sector has seen significant vertical integration among producers and distributors, driven by attractive profit margins, the influx of institutional capital, and the urgency to integrate fragmented market segments. Matt Latimer, Co-Chair of the Seafood Advisory practice at ACT, remarked on the heightened interest from non-U.S. investors in the U.S. seafood market. This motivation can partly be attributed to trade policies and other economic scenarios impacting market dynamics.

Latimer states, “2025 was a remarkable year for Seafood M&A. We observed consolidation within processing and distribution sectors alongside increased engagement from international investors.” He expressed optimism about 2026, forecasting further strategic consolidations that would empower global seafood companies to obtain necessary scale, mitigate structural inefficiencies, and broaden resource accessibility.

Conclusion and Future Prospects
In embarking on future growth, the seafood industry faces both challenges and opportunities. Resource management, pricing strategies, and progressive consumer trends offer multiple avenues for resilience and development. ACT Capital Advisors remains committed to facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and advisory services that support middle-market seafood companies navigating this evolving landscape. Their extensive expertise positions them strategically to assist businesses in capitalizing on emerging opportunities while addressing ongoing industry challenges.

For more details or to access the complete report, visit the ACT Capital Advisors website.

About ACT Capital Advisors
With a distinguished track record spanning over 40 years, ACT Capital Advisors excels in mergers and acquisitions, having closed more than 250 transactions and facilitated over $2.5 billion in value creation for its clients. The firm’s dedication to serving lower and middle-market companies across various sectors has earned it the prestigious recognition among the top investment banks.