Winners of the prestigious product competition will be announced on March 15, 2026, at 3:30pm ET in the Wave Makers’ Zone.
The 44th edition of North America’s largest seafood event will take place on March 15-17, 2026, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, USA.
Portland, Maine, March 3, 2026– Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, the largest seafood trade event in North America, produced by Diversified, announces finalists for the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards. The 12 finalists were selected out of a list of market-ready products that are launching or have been introduced in the past 18 months to the North American market. The winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 3:30pm ET in the Wave Makers’ Zone followed by a reception.
The Seafood Excellence Awards recognize the product leaders in the North American seafood market. Each year, companies exhibiting at the three-day expo can submit new products for the Seafood Excellence awards competition. The 12 finalists will be evaluated by three seafood industry experts based on their uniqueness and appropriateness to the market, taste profile, packaging, market potential, convenience, nutritional value and originality on the first day of the Expo.
The 2026 finalists were selected from 108 entries in the expo’s New Product Showcase and compete for two awards: Best New Foodservice Product and Best New Retail Product. Each finalist’s product, and all other new products submitted for the competition, will be displayed in the Wave Makers’ Zone (booth #3165).
The finalists in the foodservice category are:
Azuma Foods International Inc. (USA)
Tako Wasabi
Booth #2686
Debuting at the Boston Seafood Expo 2026, Azuma Foods introduces the authentic Tako Wasabi. A staple of Japan’s izakaya culture, this delicacy features premium raw octopus in a chilled marinade. Our Signature Classic delivers a satisfyingly snappy texture and a deep umami finish, highlighted by the addictive kick of genuine Japanese wasabi. Reimagining traditional Japanese marination techniques for the modern palate, it is a high-protein, versatile asset. Whether served solo or as a bold fusion topping, it offers American chefs an authentic, “addictive” taste of Japanese culinary innovation.
King & Prince Seafood (USA)
Mrs. Friday’s® Honey Butter Biscuit Wild Alaska Pollock 2-3 oz.
Booth #505
Sweet meets savory with our Honey Butter Biscuit Pollock. This superior quality, MSC certified Pollock is sourced from Alaskan waters, offering a light, flaky, mild-tasting bite that pairs perfectly with our signature honey butter biscuit coating for a crave-worthy menu standout. With a homestyle look and versatile menu applications, it delivers consistency, ease, and craveable appeal.
Trident Seafoods (USA)
Crispy Battered Sauceable Nuggets
Booth #805
A crispy, bite-sized, flavor-flexible protein made from sustainable Wild Alaska Pollock – built for bold menus and busy kitchens. Its neutral-savory battered coating delivers craveable texture and flavor on its own or can be easily elevated with a wide range of sauces, making it ideal for global flavor profiles, seasonal LTOs, and customizable menu builds. This nugget adapts across cuisines and formats and it holds its crispy texture even when sauced and hot-held for one hour – perfect for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
The finalists in the retail category are:
Angel Oak Smokehouse (USA)
Angel Oak Hot Smoked Salmon Ravioli
Booth #3352
Angel Oak brings hot smoked salmon into an entirely new format by pioneering its use as a premium pasta filling, expanding the category beyond conventional presentations. The hot smoked salmon delivers robust, complex flavors with flaky texture. Combined with creamy ricotta, bright lemon zest, and fresh chives in handcrafted ravioli, this melt-in-your-mouth experience represents a bold evolution in value-added seafood products. Each package of 8 ravioli packs an impressive 38g of protein, making it as nutritious as it is indulgent. Angel Oak’s ravioli is not just another smoked salmon offering; it’s a complete culinary experience that demonstrates how innovation and tradition can create entirely new market opportunities in the seafood industry.
Aquamar (USA)
Aquamar Cacio e Pepe Risotto cakes with Shrimp
Booth #1057
The perfect harmony of a crunchy rice coating filled with a creamy, cheesy, cracked black peppery shrimp risotto. Enjoy with ease.
Cox’s Wholesale Seafood LLC (USA)
Wild Caught American Shrimp, Kickin Tikka Masala
Booth #909
This frozen shrimp redefines clean convenience. Made with 100% American wild-caught, USA-sourced shrimp, it delivers 23g of protein per serving with no chemicals or preservatives. Sustainably harvested and crafted with simple, clean ingredients, it meets the rising demand for uncompromising health and transparency. Ready in just 5 minutes, this perfectly portioned product transforms frozen seafood into a refined, effortless meal solution. Offered in five bold, chef-inspired flavors, it brings elevated taste, nutrition, and sustainability together, setting a new standard for premium, raw ready-to-cook seafood.
DOM International Limited (Canada)
DOM Reserve Salmon Sashimi Singles 8x525g
Booth #2405
DOM Reserve Singles Sashimi Salmon offers pre-sliced, restaurant-quality sashimi
in convenient individually sealed portions. Frozen for peak freshness, each tray includes
perfectly paired soy sauce and wasabi. With 5 trays per box, it’s ideal for quick snacks,
effortless appetizers, or on-the-go meals-simply thaw and enjoy!
Echo Falls Seafoods (USA)
Echo Falls Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Party Slices
Booth #1522
Crafted to elevate any gathering, these smoked salmon slices are the ideal choice for party appetizers. Premium Norwegian Atlantic salmon is delicately smoked over beechwood, then perfectly sliced for effortless serving. With three distinct flavors-Pepper, Traditional, and Dill-this sampler lets you and your guests enjoy a variety of tastes all in one platter.
Icy Waters, LLC (USA)
The Good Fish Co. – Coconut Margarita Haddock
Booth #3444
Atlantic Haddock fillet crusted with an everything topping and a Tequila, Coconut & Lime Sauce inspired by America’s #1 favorite cocktail. The haddock is topped with an everything seasoning topping and the product includes a sauce packet to apply as a finishing sauce towards the end of cooking. The 2-step cooking process evokes a “home cooked” feel by adding the sauce at the end, while still being an easy and quick dinner bursting with flavor. 6-oz. single-serving size.
Multi X S.A. (Chile)
Latitude 45 Ceviche
Booth #841
Latitude 45 Ceviche is our new grab-and-go product designed to meet the growing demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meal solutions.
It features lightly smoked salmon cubes paired with a fresh ceviche-style seasoning and an included spoon, making it ready to enjoy anytime, anywhere-no preparation needed.
Latitude 45 Ceviche is crafted for consumers who value eating healthy, great-tasting food while making the most of their time. It delivers a fresh, flavorful experience in a modern, portable format that fits perfectly into today’s on-the-go lifestyle.
St. James Smokehouse, Inc. (USA)
SAINT – Fruit Wood Limoncello Smoked Salmon
Booth #3253
SAINT® PURE Fruit Wood Smoked Salmon with Limoncello is handcrafted using traditional dry-curing and gentle fruit wood smoking, then infused with authentic Italian Limoncello made from Amalfi Coast lemons. Bright citrus notes balance the salmon’s buttery richness, creating a light, refined flavor that moves smoked salmon beyond breakfast into lunch and dinner occasions. Ideal for salads, pastas and entertaining platters, each 4 oz pack delivers 24 g of READY TO EAT protein and is high in omega-3, offering a fresh, convenient way to enjoy premium smoked salmon.
Thunder’s Catch (USA)
Alaska Fisherman’s Cioppino
Booth # 1739
Alaska Fisherman’s Cioppino draws inspiration from the traditional coastal fisherman’s stew – made with whatever the sea provided that day. At its heart is our wild Alaska Sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, complemented by shrimp and clams sourced from trusted Pacific coastal fisheries. Simmered in a slow-developed tomato and wine broth with fennel, roasted garlic, and herbs, it delivers deep, layered flavor and a vibrant, rustic presentation. Rooted in real fishing heritage and a true sense of place, this fully cooked, shelf-stable cioppino brings an elevated, restaurant-quality seafood experience to market -honoring the spirit of fisherman cooking in a distinctive, story-driven format.
View all the entries of the Seafood Excellence Awards.
The Seafood Excellence Awards serves as the North American extension of the Seafood Excellence Global Awards competition, held at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Spain and the Seafood Excellence Asia Awards competition, held at Seafood Expo Asia in Singapore.
Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america.
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About Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
Seafood Expo North America/ Seafood Processing North America is North America’s largest seafood exposition. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. The exposition’s Strategic Partner is the National Fisheries Institute. SeafoodSource is the official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media including Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global and Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia. For more information, visit: www.seafoodexpo.com/north-america.
About Diversified
Diversified is a global B2B events and media company that strengthens business communities by fostering a space, in person and online, for professionals and businesses to connect and grow. The company serves as a trusted partner across several industries including active lifestyle, business management, clean energy, commercial marine, healthcare, seafood, technology and more. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, the global company has divisions and offices around the world in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Diversified is a third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
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