The usual increase in seafood trade accompanied the arrival of Lent this year, leading to higher prices for all major products. Groundfish is in particularly low supply, and prices continue to rise. Two prominent political issues are likely to impact trade in the coming months. The first is the outcome of ongoing Brexit negotiations, for which the deadline has been extended until 31 October. If no agreement is reached between the EU28 and the UK, then the two thirds of UK’s seafood exports currently destined for the EU28 would be subject to high tariffs. The other issue is the announcement by the administration of US President Donald Trump on 8 April that it will consider imposing new tariffs on products imported from the EU28, with seafood
products on the list of imports that may be subject to duties.