11% Surge in Shrimp, plus Increases in Cod, Offset Fall in Salmon, Pollock Consumption in US
US seafood consumption was up marginally last year but shrimp consumption increased significantly after two straight years of declines according to NOAA’s annual Fisheries of the US report. American seafood consumption ticked up to 14.6 lbs per capita in 2014. Shrimp was once again the most consumed seafood item at 4 per pounds per capita, over 11 percent higher than last year and the first hike in shrimp consumption since 2011. Higher consumer interest in shrimp should continue into 2015 according to John Sackton, given the current state of higher imports and better retail sales. Overall, however, US consumers are far from peak consumption rates in the early 2000s.
In other news the warm water blob off the West Coast may create problems for the Dungeness crab fishery this year. High levels of domoic acid are threatening the recreational and commercial openings of the fall season fishery scheduled for November 7 and November 15 respectively. Any delay to landings could disrupt the lucrative holiday sales period.
Meanwhile, about half of the Bristol Bay red king crab quota has been taken after two weeks of fishing. Regional reports say fishing conditions are ideal and that crabs are new shell and clean.
Finally, domestic shrimp prices appear to be moving up due to persistent shortfalls in Gulf shrimp landings this year. Overall, landings just are marginally down from last year, but far short of historical averages. Landings out of top-producing Louisiana continue to trend far short of last year’s totals and the five-year average. Urner Barry prices for domestic PUDs are up in two straight weeks of trading, ending a steady price decline to near-record lows that lasted for much of the spring and summer.
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