
October has arrived, bringing cooler weather, comforting menus, and the perfect opportunity to showcase premium seafood during National Seafood Month. This month's featured selections offer exceptional quality, strong value, and plenty of versatility for seasonal specials. Whether you're building a cozy autumn entrée, a shareable appetizer, or a limited-time feature, these products are ready to shine on your menu.
Chile | Item Code:SALV30
Special October Pricing: $9.95/lb.
Verlasso Salmon continues to be one of the most sought-after farm-raised salmon programs in the market. Known for its rich flavor, vibrant color, and buttery texture, it's an excellent choice for chefs looking to offer a premium salmon experience.
Menu Inspiration:
Create a fall-inspired entrée with roasted Verlasso salmon served over a sweet potato purée and finished with a maple-dijon glaze. Pair with roasted Brussels sprouts or seasonal squash for a dish that captures the flavors of autumn.
Shell On, 5lb Block |Texas, USA | Item Code: TT4050
Special October Pricing: $4.95/lb.
Wild-caught Texas Bay brown shrimp offer outstanding value and classic Gulf Coast flavor. Their naturally sweet profile and shell-on presentation make them ideal for seafood boils, appetizers, and comfort-food favorites as temperatures begin to cool.
Menu Inspiration:
Feature these shrimp in a Cajun-style shrimp boil with smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn, or serve them peel-and-eat with garlic herb butter and grilled bread for a simple yet crowd-pleasing appetizer.
New Bedford,Massachusetts | Item Code: SC0009
Special October Pricing: $155/gal
Dry-packed scallops from New Bedford remain a favorite among chefs for their natural sweetness, firm texture, and exceptional searing capabilities. These dry scallops provide a premium presentation while allowing operators to create memorable seasonal offerings.
Menu Inspiration:
Pan-sear and serve over a butternut squash purée with crispy pancetta, toasted pumpkin seeds, and a sage brown butter sauce. The combination highlights both the scallops' natural sweetness and the season's most popular flavors.
V-Cut | Lake Erie,Canada | Item Code: WAL326
Special October Pricing: $14.95/lb.
A staple of the Great Lakes region, Walleye is prized for its mild flavor, delicate flake, and broad customer appeal. Its versatility makes it perfect in casual fish baskets and upscale dinner features.
Menu Inspiration:
Offer a crisp pan-fried walleye paired with wild rice pilaf, roasted root vegetables, and a lemon-herb beurre blanc. The clean flavor of the fish provides the perfect canvas for seasonal accompaniments.
Looking Ahead
As guests gravitate toward warm, comforting dishes this season, October's featured lineup offers something for every menu. From premium Verlasso salmon and chef-favorite dry scallops to wild Texas shrimp and freshwater walleye, these selections deliver outstanding quality and value throughout National Seafood Month. Be sure to take advantage of special pricing while it lasts and consider adding one of these versatile items to your next featured menu offering.
We’d love to see what you’ve created from JJ Seafood! Pleasetag us your photos, videos, and reels! @jjmcdonnell
Icelandic Fish
Availability and pricing remain stable although next week there will be an increase on char and char fillet costs. The main reason is due to higher costs of feed. Whole wolffish and wolffish fillet available by preorder 4 days out.
Rainbow Trout
We are seeing shorts in this entire category. This is due to lack of harvest because they are letting fish grow since the heat is causing them not to eat as much. It should be up to sustainable levels again sometime in Q4. Bringing in some frozen to try and compensate. Starting on October 1st, the cost of 9-13oz dressed and 5-7oz fillet will be going up about 40 cents on the dressed and 60 cents on the fillet. This is due to increases in packing, shipping, and operating costs. 5-7oz fillet, head on butterfly, and whole trout are available from Columbia. Let us know if you are interested in bringing some in.
Fresh Flounder
Raw material costs have begun to fall at the dock as fishing has increased since the nor’easter. We should begin to see more consistent affordable pricing off the knife. Current inventory consists of trawl caught product harvested in New Bedford, MA.
Grouper
Large imported Black Grouper availability opened this week. Strong availability for weekend sales.
Brand new domestic hook and line red grouper from Cortez, FL.
Snappers
Strong availability on all sizes; true domestic American Red Snappers. Boats offloaded this weekend in Freeport, Texas and Galveston, Texas. No issues with weekend inventory on all sizes.
Blueline Tilefish:
Production continues in Ocean City, MD from a few local vessels. Fresh inventory will be available for weekend sales.
Black Bass
Market increased this week as fishing tightened due to weather. Availability on mediums will be strong; larges and jumbos will continue to be limited. Current inventory consists of pot/trap caught product harvested in Ocean City, MD.
Monkfish
Raw material costs remain extremely elevated due to lack of production along the East Coast. We will continue to see limited availability until fishing increases.
Blue Catfish
Landings along The Bay continue to increase as crabber switch gears to fishing. Anticipate the market to slowly decent.
Wild Striped Bass
Maryland fishing season is in full swing, and landings increase as the days count on. Availability will be strong on the smaller sizes, as the larger fish will still be limited.
Farmed Salmon
Chile: Harvest volumes in September were low as producers transition between production cycles. More significant production growth is anticipated in October, when Chile enters their peak harvest season. Pricing relief is coming in October.
Norway: Harvest volumes have decreased over this month as Norwegian producers move out of their seasonal summer harvest cycle. Pricing has risen, larger sizes in short supply with main inventories filled with 4/5 to 6/7 Kg. fish.
Canada: East Coast Canada production volumes have flattened. Pricing remains elevated in reaction to shortages out of Chile and Europe. This has affected all salmon pricing.
Mahi
Strong availability and affordable fillet costs. Production in Central and South America continues to be strong, while demand is less. Perfect time for weekly specials!
Tuna-
Stunning cherry red Yellowfins landing from Louisiana, North Carolina, Costa Rica, & Ecuador this week. Prices are flat this week. Local Bluefins coming in from Cape Cod Mass with beautiful cherry red color. These larger cherry red tunas are in higher demand, "you get what you pay for!".
Sword-
Beautiful double & triple marker swords arriving from Ocean City Maryland this week. Prices remain very affordable as it's a great time for swordfish. Great grilling fish option at very affordable prices!
Hawaiian Kanpachi
Stable in price, great availability this week. Excellent fat content for a silky raw preparation or a buttery cooked preparation for a unique center-of plate option.
Atlantic Halibut
Landings have remained low, however so has demand this week. Pricing ticked up slightly this week and is expected to remain that way.
Norway is starting to awaken for their season which runs through the end of the year, but pricing remains high, so we may start to see some wild Norwegian halibut here and there but not just yet.
Pacific Halibut
The pacific fish will remain stable albeit more expensive than their Atlantic counterparts, as is typical. Fish this week are from Kodiak, AK.
Wild King Salmon
Large and in charge Patagonian King Salmon are here to kick off the Chilean season! The majority of fish are 11-18 lb. to start, with huge sizes seen mostly later on in the season.
Wild Coho Salmon
Washington coho are still running, although we are certainly in the final weeks here, if not days.
Sablefish aka Black Cod
Fresh Black Cod is light in availability to start the week. This fish refreshes beautifully, which is a great option for replacement this week.
Lakefish
Fishing is very slow to start the season, but fingers crossed it turns around soon. Boats are reporting exceedingly low catches of all three primary commercial Erie species.
Live Lobsters
Steady fall fishing has resumed after the Northeast storm last week. The market has found stability in both the pricing structures and overall availability once again. Catch volumes remain on par for early October fishing, allowing wholesalers to maintain viable inventories. Shore prices remain the same for the time being.
Crabmeat- updates you need to know.
Fresh Crabmeat
Maryland- better production this week & demand continues to be strong especially on jumbo lump. Plants are starting to put up some winter stock this month & next so talk to your sales rep for needs. prices are firm.
North Carolina – same as MD, ok supply & high demand. prices are firm.
Gulf- limited amounts as catch is down & demand is very high.
Venezuela - NOAA’s importing embargo of Venezuela began Jan 1st, prohibiting seafood imports from Venezuela & other countries if they can’t verify that no marine mammals are harmed by their fishing gear. Some countries have been cleared like Indonesia with catch reports & methods, yet Venezuela is still trying to get their approval. We are hopeful but currently have no indication on how long this will be or how long it will take NOAA to review & approve it, so we wait. There are plenty of alternative options available in the cooler to cover your needs.
Pasteurized Crabmeat
Blue Swimming Crab- This category finally started to peak on pricing. cost still remains high but finally flattening. Elevated costs due too: tariff impacts, poor landings in Indonesia all during very strong demand & of course the loss the Venezuelan & Philippian crabmeat supply. Most importers are facing overall limited availability, and the combination of weak landings, pressure at the beaches, and high demand is driving an extremely strong market. Expect ongoing supply constraints.
Red Swimming Crab- High tariffs and poor landings have pushed prices sharply higher, particularly on jumbo lump and jumbo, with lump now following suit. Relief is not expected in the near term, as many buyers have shifted into this category seeking lower-cost alternatives.
Mexico- Mexican pricing has risen quickly as demand spilled over from the Indonesian market. Many have moved to this option. Pricing is following the Indo past market upward.
Colombian- Supply is extremely limited. Landings have been extremely small. Small volumes are available, check in.
Oysters
Featured this week:
Laughing Gull Oysters
Barnegat Bay, NJ
OYS236
A husband & wife duo raises Laughing Gull oysters with love! They feature a crisp and sweet mineral finish with a bright, salty brine. Shells are 3-3.5” on average.
Sarah’s Shore Oysters
Souris River, East Shore PEI, Canada
OYS141
A medium salt with nutty, popcorn-like flavors, finishing with floral and citrus notes.
Jade green shells and full meats. 2.5-3”.
Always on Feature and only at JJMcDonnell:
Skinny Dipper & Huckleberry Oysters
St Jerome’s Creek, MD
OYS200 & OYS060
For the best shell quality, quintessential Chesapeake flavor, and the cleanest oyster in town, choose Skinny Dippers for your printed menus. Always fresh and in stock! For a cocktail option, Huckleberry is a perfectly plump cocktail, and fun fact, they are the same age as a Skinny Dipper! Some oysters just never reach the size of a full, select oyster.
Happy Oysters
Northern Neck, VA
OYS250
Sweetgrass and butter with just enough brine and a clean finish. Tidal surges create a perfect environment for healthy, happy oysters!
Salt Buoy Oysters
Brockatonorton Bay, MD
OYS245
All of the salt you would expect from Maryland’s Atlantic coast, with a crab-like sweetness to finish. Float-raised cocktail shells are perfect for easy shucking.
Fortune Oysters
Wine Harbour, Eastern Nova Scotia
OYS218
A pop of salt from the North Atlantic! Smooth, salty, savory, and sweet meats in clean, solid, choice shells.
Frozen Haddock
Haddock imports through May are approximately 9% above the same period in 2025. Despite increased import volumes, pricing remains elevated as the market continues to adjust to tighter sourcing options. Effective January 1, haddock is impacted by NOAA’s Marine Mammal Protection Act, which restricts Russian-origin raw material from entering the U.S. market. Similar measures are also being considered by the European Union, which could create additional pressure on global supply. On the positive side, Norway’s haddock quota has increased by approximately 17%, providing additional raw material to the market and contributing to early signs of price relief. While values remain historically elevated, increased Norwegian production could support further modest softening as the season progresses.
Frozen Mahi
Global Mahi supply remains extremely constrained following the conclusion of the South American season in March 2026. Meaningful new frozen production is not expected until the next season begins, typically in November or December. South America represents approximately 80% of global Mahi supply, making regional production a significant driver of overall market conditions. South American catch totaled approximately 34,000 MT this season, less than half of the available quota. The shortfall has driven a significant increase in pricing while leaving inventories exceptionally limited. Asian production has provided little relief, with both Japan and Taiwan reporting weak seasonal landings and higher replacement costs.
Record-high pricing appears to be weighing US demand, particularly across retail and foodservice. While available inventories from the previous season continue to move through the market, elevated costs are likely to encourage some operators and retailers to substitute Mahi with more affordable species. As a result, Mahi may see reduced menu and retail exposure until pricing returns to more sustainable levels. Mahi pricing remains at record highs and is expected to stay elevated through at least the end of 2026, with the potential for firmness to extend into 2027. The next meaningful opportunity for market relief will depend on the strength of the upcoming South American season. As a wild-caught migratory species, Mahi availability can vary significantly based on ocean temperatures, feeding patterns, and the location of fishing grounds. As a result, meaningful predictions for the upcoming season remain difficult until fishing begins, and early catch trends become available.
Recent Section 301 tariff changes effective July 24 have shifted the competitive landscape across Mahi-producing countries. Tariffs on product from Peru and Costa Rica increased from 10% to 12.5%, while Ecuador remains at 10% and Panama is exempt. In Asia, tariff rates have become more favorable, with Taiwan declining from 20% to 10% and Vietnam declining to 12.5%. These changes improve the relative competitiveness of alternative origins outside Peru. However, given Peru's dominant position in global Mahi production, its supply and pricing will continue to have an outsized influence on the overall market.


National Seafood Month is celebrated every October, and the U.S. is recognized as a global leader in sustainable seafood. Thanks to science-based fishery management, more than 90% of U.S. fish stocks are not subject to overfishing, helping ensure that popular species remain available for future generations.
