Like Lobster, Clam Prices Spike in Late February as Winter Weather Cuts Supply
SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Michael Ramsingh - February 27, 2015
Clams have become the latest seafood item to fall victim to February's icy conditions and cold temperatures. Traders have reported short supplies with fishermen unable to harvest and prices are up sharply since the start of the month.
Urner Barry's Fulton Market prices for 400 count littleneck out of Long Island are up 31 percent to $115 per pound. This a $27.5 per pound increase since the first week of February.
Traders report short supplies with fishermen have been unable to harvest in iced over clamming grounds. Earlier this week lobster traders reported similar situations in Maine and Canada. New England's lobstermen--with their boats frozen in harbors--have been unable to fish for three weeks. In Canada, lobster pounds are also iced over and fishing in Nova Scotia has been minimal. The lack of fishing has led to lower lobster supplies and record high live prices in February.
So for now, winter weather impacts to the the clam market are trending quite similar to what's happening with lobster. Reduced fishing efforts have pinched clam supplies in late February and prices are up sharply heading into March.
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