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SEAFOOD
SHRIMP, DOMESTIC
(WHITES AND BROWNS): We are starting to see lower inventory on large size shell-on
Shrimp, both Browns and Whites. Prices will continue to inch up as inventory becomes an issue.
DOMESTIC PUDS: Pricing is stable and inventory on all sizes seem to be in good shape. If we
have good weather on the East Coast and demand picks up, we could see inventory on large and midsize
Puds to decrease and prices should rise.
SHRIMP, IMPORTED
(BLACK TIGER AND WHITES): Black Tiger Shrimp has turned higher as expected. The
tiger market is expected to stay strong through the winter. Production on Tigers is very low and the
difference in price between Whites and Tigers makes the switch to White Shrimp an easy move. Large
Latin White movement has been slower than expected. We may see lower pricing in this category in the
near future
(MEXICAN BROWNS AND WHITES): Mexican Farmed Shrimp are seeing a decrease
in production, which will have an effect on Asian and Latin American Whites. Wild White Mexican Shrimp
season produced very few Shrimp. Weather patterns in the Pacific are being blamed for the lack
of production.
CATFISH, DOMESTIC & IMPORTED
DOMESTIC: Production of Farmed Domestic Catfish is now seeing some good
numbers. Production is good and the number of fish coming out of the pond are good.
The next few months should determine how the spring season will be. We are starting to
see shortages on smaller fish this should cause prices to rise on smaller sizes. We could
see shortages on Raw Fillets between April and June.
IMPORTED: There was a small downturn in price on Imported Catfish. New season
fish is starting to hit the US. Long-term outlook is still uncertain.
SALMON
ATLANTIC FARMED SALMON: The Salmon market is unstable on fresh and frozen
product. There is still a shortage of frozen product causing pricing to remain high.
MAHI MAHI
The Mahi season so far has been very disappointing. Lack of fish in Central and South America
is causing shortages. Processors are reporting that we may see 50% less fish than last year. It
is reported that the industry will suffer and we need to look for other options.
SCALLOPS
SEA: A fair amount of inventory is keeping Scallop pricing in check. Normally this time of
year we will start to see higher pricing. We do feel we will see higher pricing in the
near future.
BAY: Pricing is now steady, but we feel there is some more upside to this market.
Inventory is tight.
TILAPIA
Inventory in the U.S. seems to be good and replacement cost seem to be trending lower. We
could start to see a shortage in 7-9 oz fillets.
PANGASIUS
Pricing overseas has moved up, and the outlook now is for higher pricing through Lent.
WHITEFISH COMPLEX
COD: The market for Atlantic and Pacific Cod continues to see stronger pricing. It is expected
to see cod pricing higher than Haddock this year. Product is becoming tight coming into the Lent
season.
POLLOCK: The fishery for Pacific Pollock has produced only smaller fish, just 2-4-oz
fillets. This could cause an inventory issue for Frozen Loins if they don’t start catching
larger fish. Larger Fllets - 4-6 oz and 6-8 oz - are very tight.
HADDOCK: Pricing on Skin-on Fillets and Skinless Loins look to be steady. We will
see a price increase on Skinless Fillets. Inventory does not seem to be an issue. H&G
market has turned upward, but inventory levels are keeping pricing in check.
TUNA, YELLOWFIN
(FROZEN STEAKS & LOINS): Tuna is fairly stable in pricing and inventories are good.
SWORDFISH
The catch in Central and South America has been slow with mostly smaller fish being caught.
We could see higher pricing as this fish hits the market. Six-ounce portions are in good supply.
Ask your sales representative about this size fish as the yield is better than industry standard.
KING CRAB
(RED & GOLDEN): King Crab is seeing shortages in all sizes and pricing is getting
stronger. The need for Crab worldwide is causing pricing to increase.
CRABMEAT
(BLUE & RED, PASTEURIZED): Blue Swimming Crab has moved up and we expect
the price to remain strong through the rest of the year. We expect to see shortages for the next
30-45 days. Jumbo Lump and Claw Meat seem to be the hardest hit by the shortages.
Red Crab season has opened and prices are now stable. With the increases in pricing with Blue
Swimming Crab, we could see processors raise the price of Red Crab.
SNOW CRAB
ALASKAN: Fishing has started with reports of slow fishing. They have cancelled the Baridi
season for 2017. Larger Crab will now have to come from Canada, Norway and Russia.
CANADIAN: Pricing moved up again this week. Inventory is still unclear in the U.S. Prices
could rise more with a shortage of Alaskan Crab. Crab is becoming short and we are starting
to see vendors put case limits on orders. The lack of ice in Canada will help fishermen get out
crabbing on time.
LOBSTER TAILS
NORTH AMERICAN LOBSTER: The general opinion on Cold Water Tails is that
market has to go up. We have not seen any increases on Lobster Tails but we feel where
there is talk there is fire! Large Tails are very tight on supply. The live market has turned
lower on both Hard and New Shell product.
LOBSTER TAILS WARM-WATER: A good harvest of Warm-Water Tails is
being reported out of the Bahamas. The recent storm has pushed prices higher. We
expect prices to increase through Valentine’s Day.
LOBSTER MEAT: Pricing has turned to a more steady tune over the last week.
Inventory reports are fair and the fall season has produced good quality meat. It is still
too early to predict where this market will go after the first of the year. Beware of lower
cost product, make sure you compare quality.
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