Northern Fish’s buying team works with multiple importers in an attempt to mitigate supply shortages, however based on our research it does not appear the supply constraints will break lose in the immediate future.

While this can be frustrating for our food service partners we believe this represents an opportunity to explore other products that can be prepared in a similar fashion, so far the top substitutes are: White Pacific Albacore Tuna Loins and Swordfish Steaks/Loins.  Contact your sales representative for further information.

SEAFOOD.COM NEWS by Michael Ramsingh – March 06, 2012

Tuna steaks and loin prices have gone up in price significantly in the past few months, and in February were over $7.00 per lb, according to Urner Barry quotations on loins and steaks. Many industry traders are blaming the jump in prices on an increase in FDA refusals which are causing supplies to be tighter.

Since September 2011, according to the most recent FDA data, there have been 54 rejections of tuna products. Most of the rejections come from Indonesia and Vietnam.

As refusals increase, so does risk with many traders saying that insurance premiums have gone up, in addition to packers’ overseas fears of losing exporting licenses to the U.S.

In addition to the bump in import refusals, other reasons attributed to the spike in prices include a strong demand in the U.S., and rising replacement costs overseas due to a raw material shortages.

While it is difficult to assess the amount of imports of tuna steaks– since there is no category in customs for this particular item–Urner Barry quotations for 8 oz. tuna steaks have spiked significantly, nearly 50%.

Oregon Shrimp comes cooked ready to eat and makes a great addition to any menu. Oregon shrimp is great health option with low saturated fat. It is also a good source of Niacin, Iron, Phosphorus and Zinc, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin B12 and Selenium.

Oregon Shrimp is also fantastic local and sustainable product with the majority of the harvests taking placed on the Washington and Oregon coasts. Oregon Shrimp is recognized internationally by the Marine Stewardship Council as well managed fishery that has minimal by-catch.

Give us a call or stop by one of our stores to learn more.

FRESH SEAFOOD – The Alaskan Troll King market is plugging along with steady landings each day.  We expect the volumes to drop off as fishermen return home for Thanksgiving.  The Washington State Coho run is down to a trickle as the season comes to an end.  Puget Sound chums are hitting in heavy numbers and always offer a nice value during this time of the year.  Farmed Salmon prices seem to have stabilized for the next 2-3 months with a possible abundance of larger fish (12LB and up).

FROZEN – Crab products across the board are approaching new highs.  King crab out of Russia is nearly non-existent due to fishing restrictions.  The Russian fishery produces the vast majority of the worlds 16-20 ct and 20 up ct sizes.  These value sizes are nearly two times as expensive as a year ago.  Similar factors are also causing upswings in the Snow crab market.  Value sizes such as 5-8oz clusters are selling at levels nearly 40% higher than last year.  Dungeness will be a value for those customers who “buy-in” early during the Oregon and Washington season.  Once fishing begin to slow down the live/export market will drive the dock price up.

SMOKED PRODUCTS – Are you looking for something unique to offer to your friends and family this holiday season?  Stop by or call one of our retail shops and we can put together a nice mail order package to ship anywhere in the United States.  My personal favorite is the salmon candy and Alder Smoked Ivory King.

Unfortunately we are in the middle of a general price upswing.  We say “general” because pockets of value exist. The best way to benefit from these pockets is not to be locked in one species or specification when a similar product will work.  Give us a shout in the office and we can help you figure out your best alternatives.

In House this Week:
-    Quileute River Coho
-    Fresh Live Red Abalone from California
-    Hook & Line Black Cod from Oregon
-    Wild Mexican Shrimp, U-12 Count

(Note – we carry hundreds and hundreds of items… sometimes we just get excited)

We are working with an independently owned farm that takes great pride and care in delivery of this Abalone.  On Tuesday morning the product will be harvested from the beaches and catch a plane to arrive at Sea-Tac in the early afternoon.  The Abalone will then be loaded into our live system and await new their homes.  Abalone are typically 3-4 inches in diameter and are truly one of the great delicacies of the seafood industry.  Take a look at product being prepped for shipment:

Red Abalone from California

Halibut – Halibut Season is scheduled to end on November 15^th.  91% of the quota is already landed and prices are beginning to surge up.  Supply may become erratic due to early winter storms and limited fishing capacity.  If halibut is a key item the conversion to re-fresh or frozen product maybe earlier than normal.

Ground Fish – Dover Sole and Rock Fish are in good supply.

Dungeness Crab – As expected the Dungeness fishery in Blaine on Oct 6^th has created a flurry of activity in the live export market.  As a result Whole Cooked Dungeness opened with strong prices.  The crabs have a high in-fill ratio and better than normal sizing.

Frozen Market – This year marked the greatest Frasier River Sockeye run in the past 100 years.  This massive amount of fish has created a nice value for consumers who want to keep eating wild throughout the winter.  Contact your sales representative for pricing on frozen sockeye in all product forms.

Farm Salmon is in the news again and as usual the information is confusing.  First, there is no commercially available genetically modified salmon on the market today…. And there won’t be for at least 30 months.  Second, Northern Fish has no plans to offer GMO Salmon and our suppliers are committed to supporting GMO free aquaculture.  Please read the following articles for more information:

Clarified: What does “genetically modified” salmon mean?