Global markets are in a state of turmoil and uncertainty due to the shifting situation regarding U.S. tariffs. For example, the great majority of Indonesian shrimp are currently exported to the US. If this door closes, even partially, what are the options?
The Global Markets session was broken into two panels. The first panel brought a U.S. perspective and began with an analysis by Kontali of global demand. Bob Dehaan, legal counsel from the National Fisheries Institute, discussed the situation in Washington DC. Then a diverse group of leading U.S. buyers shared their perspectives.
Travis Larkin is President and CEO of Seafood Exchange, a seafood importing and wholesale company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. He joined Seafood Exchange in 1997 from Darden Restaurants, where he handled shrimp procurement for Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and Bahama Breeze. He possesses extensive experience with production and procurement issues in Latin America and Asia, as well as product development and market issues relating to retail and food service markets in the U.S. Larkin is actively involved in the Global Seafood Alliance and in the National Fisheries Institute, where he serves as chair of the Nominating Committee. He also has served on NFI’s Executive Committee, on the founding board of managers for its Better Seafood Board, and as president of the National Shrimp Industry Association. Travis earned an MBA at Brigham Young University.
Kontali Analyse AS is an independent provider of analysis, mainly for the aquaculture and fishing industries. Besides delivering analysis for the seafood sector, the company also publishes a wide range of publications and reports. Ragnar is a key contributor to Ragnar Tveterås’ global farmed finfish production data and forecasts each year at GOAL.
Robert DeHaan is Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the National Fisheries Institute, the USA’s largest commercial seafood trade organization. In that capacity, he leads NFI regulatory and international trade advocacy. Prior to joining NFI, DeHaan held multiple trade and transportation roles in the administration of President George W. Bush. He began his professional career as an aviation attorney in Washington, D.C., focusing on international aviation litigation and regulation. He currently serves on several public-private groups associated with seafood trade, among them the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee convened by the United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DeHaan earned an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and holds a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Matt Livesay is Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for Red Lobster, the world’s largest seafood restaurant company. In his current role, he is responsible for leading all of Red Lobster’s supply chain activities including the strategic sourcing of seafood, commodities, beverage, and equipment, as well as foodservice distribution, third-party logistics, sourcing sustainability compliance and other services for over 550 locations globally. Matt also oversees the Total Quality and Food Safety team that is responsible for food safety, product specifications, quality and regulatory compliance, and supplier and restaurant inspection programs.
Eric Bloom is the son of Charna and William Bloom, who was a seafood industry pioneer and founded Eastern Fish Company in 1974. Eric started at Eastern Fish in sales and marketing directly after graduating from Lafayette College in 1986 with a BA in Business. He has continued to serve as President of Eastern Fish Co. since 1997. Eric was co-owner of Eastern Fish along with his sister Ronie and brother Lee until the company was purchased by Marubeni in 2014. Eric has served as Chairperson of the National Fisheries Institute along with the other National officer positions. He continues to contribute to the industry as a member of NFI's executive committee and as a director of GSA.