Spotlight to Shine on Surimi and Roe at Upcoming Annual Wild Alaska Pollock Gathering

 

SEATTLE, Wash.— Attendees at the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting on September 26^th will tackle the tough topics of how to reinvigorate the roe and sustain the global surimi market, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. At its sixth annual industry gathering, to be held at the W Hotel Seattle, distinguished speakers from major global surimi manufacturers as well as food and menu innovation professionals will discuss the state of the global markets for Wild Alaska Pollock surimi and roe and challenge attendees to think differently about the future for these products.

“It’s no secret that the surimi and roe markets have been challenged in recent years,” said Craig Morris, GAPP Chief Executive Officer. “As conditions continue to evolve globally, and with this year’s meeting theme centered around ‘harvesting opportunity’ there is not a better time to bring our industry leaders—and outside experts—together to jumpstart discussions about how we can take the surimi and roe markets from surviving to thriving.”

Returning to the stage this year will be Urner Barry’s Angel Rubio, who will provide attendees with the latest on global surimi supply and demand. Rubio, along with GAPP’s Ron Rogness, compile the quarterly GAPP Surimi Supply Tracker data—the first of its kind report available to GAPP members that tracks the evolving Wild Alaska Pollock—and competitor species—surimi markets.

Rubio will later be joined on the stage by Yaiza Donaire of Angulas Aguinaga to discuss how the market for surimi in Spain has continued to evolve and how Angulas Aguinaga has recently “gone back to basics,” applying traditional Japanese techniques and innovation to their production and marketing these Japanese-style products to the Spanish consumer, to increased success.

“The Spanish market is one that has gone through significant change and having a legacy surimi brand like Angulas with us to share their learnings is hugely valuable for our industry attendees,” said Morris.

The Japanese market continues to be a critical market for Wild Alaska Pollock products, especially for surimi and roe. Key leaders from the seafood industry in Japan – Takashi Kuroki (Maruha Capital Investment), Tatsuya Gake (Nissui) and Toshihiro Tsunetaka (Trident Japan) will inform attendees on the key trends in the Japanese market and how they impact the markets for U.S. Wild Alaska Pollock, including the devaluation of the Yen, the influx of Russian imports of surimi, and Japanese dietary changes.

Later in the day, Chef Bret Lynch of Culinex, a Seattle-based food technology and innovation firm will share the results of a two-years long project with GAPP focused on developing new trends, products and menu ideations for Wild Alaska Pollock roe.

“Roe has long been a priority for GAPP and the Board has challenged us to find new opportunities for roe outside of the traditional Japanese preparations and uses,” said Morris. “With the global export of tastes and flavors, we’ve worked with Culinex to identify some sensational new products that can be launched here in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere that use roe and its distinct flavor profile differently.”

Attendees will not only hear about the new roe ideas, but will also be able to sample some of the test products at conference breaks. Themed “Harvesting Opportunity in an Unprecedented Global Marketplace,” the meeting will once again bring together industry leaders throughout the Wild Alaska Pollock fishery for a one-day meeting to look forward, collaborate and learn from distinguished speakers during a jam-packed agenda.

For the first time, the event will be held at the W Hotel in downtown Seattle and will run from 8:30am – 5:00pm with an evening reception to immediately follow. Registration is available here for those wishing to register to attend the Wild Alaska Pollock Annual Meeting either in-person or virtually. GAPP’s annual meeting is exclusively for those connected to the Wild Alaska Pollock fishery and registration is subject to approval by GAPP.

GAPP would like to thank its current sponsors: USI Insurance Services (Title); Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Glacier Fish Company, and Global Seas (Gold); Alaska Airlines, American Seafoods, Aquamar, Arctic Storm Management Group, Beck Pack Systems, Gorton’s Seafood, Marel, NORPEL, Port of Seattle, Rabobank, Trans-Ocean Products, Trident Seafoods, UniSea, and Westward Seafoods (Silver); Ag West Farm Credit, APICDA, Alaska Marine Lines, Arionbanki, Baader, Coastal Transportation, Golden Alaska Seafoods, High Liner Foods, Íslandsbanki, Ketchum, King & Prince Seafoods, Lafferty’s EMS, Lucky Louie Fish Shack, Marine Stewardship Council, McDonald’s, NSEDC, Parker, Smith & Feek, Rogge Co. (Charlie’s Produce), and Wells Fargo (Bronze); Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Angulas-Aguinaga, Bank of America, Frontier Packaging, Global Seafood Alliance, InnaSea Media, Neptune Snacks, Perkins Coie, Restaurant Depot, Seattle Tacoma Box, and U.S. Electric (Supporting).