According to an Undercurrent News report in late August 2026, the Alaska Bering Sea pollock B season (June 10 – October 31) has entered its second half with supply tightening. Although overall catch volume remains steady, smaller fish size has reduced processing yields, leaving PBO (pin-bone-out) fillet and surimi output markedly below the same period last year.
"Smaller fish mean less fillet and surimi from the same catch volume," said a sales executive at a major Alaska pollock producer at an industry forum. Industry data shows spot prices early in the 2026 B season rose sharply above A season contract levels, and most producers are holding back on quoting large B season orders.
Raw Material Prices Keep Climbing
Tradex Foods reports that by late August, Russian H&G (headed & gutted) raw material prices had risen USD 300–350/MT from levels at which European processors placed orders in May. Meanwhile, some European fillet orders booked by Chinese processors at lower prices in May have been defaulted on, reflecting the margin squeeze from rapidly rising raw material costs.
In the US wholesale market, G-grade pollock prices eased USD 10/MT from record highs but remain in their highest range in a decade. Japan is feeling the same cost pressure — FA-grade surimi imported in spring 2026 reached JPY 610/kg, the highest level since autumn 2010.
Industry Consolidation and Quota Changes
Alongside price volatility comes a deeper structural shift. New quotas announced by the NPFMC (North Pacific Fishery Management Council) in early August keep Bering Sea pollock quotas largely steady, while the Gulf of Alaska quota was cut sharply by 25%. Meanwhile, Russia's TINRO (Pacific Fisheries Research Center) expects Russia's 2026 Bering Sea pollock catch to hold at around 500,000 MT, roughly in line with recent years.
"Once the B season winds down, the tight supply picture will extend into Q4. For Asian buyers, now is the critical window to assess Q4 inventory strategy." — Undercurrent News industry analysis
Overall, the 2026 pollock market is characterized by "high prices and tight balance." Downstream buyers should watch the Q3 price window closely and lock in long-term contracts to hedge against seasonal volatility.