The Demo Site

Current selling prices ex-warehouse New York as reported by original receivers(importers,
brokers, etc) in the New York Metropolitan area in US DOLLARS/CENTS per pound (unless
otherwise stated). Fillets are skinless, unless otherwise stated.

FINFISH:
SOLE FILLETS:
CHINA: 3oz $2.60, 5oz $3.20.
DOVER SOLE:
HOLLAND: 16-20oz $11.95, 20-24oz $11.95.
SEA BASS:
CHILE: PORTIONS: 4oz $9.95, 5oz $9.95, 6oz $9.95, 7oz $10.25, 8oz $10.50, 9oz $10.20,
10oz $10.20.

SHELLFISH:
KING CRAB: CLAWS & SECTIONS:
WESTERN:RED: 6-9cnt $10.85, 9-12cnt $10.70, 12-14cnt $9.40, 14-17cnt $7.50, 16-20cnt
$6.40, 20-24cnt $5.75.
FROG LEGS: IQF:
CHINA: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.30, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80, 9-12pair(sml) $2.45.
VIETNAM: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.30, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80, 9-12pair(sml) $2.45.
MUSSELS:
NEW ZEALAND: 1/2 shell med $1.80.
OCTOPUS(PULPO):
PHILIPPINES: 1-2# $1.40, 2-4# $1.45, 4-6# $1.60, 6-8# $1.70.
PORTUGAL: 1-2# $2.10, 2-4# $3.15, 4-6# $3.75, 6-8# $4.00, 8#up $4.20.
SHRIMP, HEADLESS: SHELL-ON:
BANGLADESH: BLACK TIGER: 6-8 $13.60, Un/12 $9.50, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $6.00, 21/25
$5.80, 26/30 $4.30, 31/40 $3.70, 41/50 $3.20.
CHINA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 41/50 $2.80, 51/60 $2.70.
ECUADOR:WHITE:(farm): 41/50 $3.25.
GULF: WHITE: Un/15 $6.70, 16/20 $5.65, 21/25 $4.95, 26/30 $4.55, 31/35 $3.75, 36/40 $3.45,
41/50 $3.40, 51/60 $3.30, 61/70 $3.00.
GULF: BROWN: Un/10 $11.30, Un/12 $9.40, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $5.80, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30
$4.80, 31/35 $3.60, 36/40 $3.20, 41/50 $2.80, 51/60 $2.65, 61/70 $2.60.
HONDURAS:PINK: 21/25 $4.35, 26/30 $4.00, 31/35 $2.90, 71/90 $2.00.
INDIA: BLACK TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.80, Un/12 $10.10, Un/15 $7.00, 16/20 $6.10, 21/25
$5.75, 26/30 $4.80, 31/40 $3.90, 51/60 $2.40.
INDONESIA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 26/30 $4.25, 31/40 $3.25, 41/50 $3.10, 51/60 $3.00.
MEXICO WEST COAST: WHITE: No.1 Un/12 $9.70, Un/15 $6.80, (farm): 16/20 $5.20, 21/25
$4.50, WHITE:No.2 Un/15 $6.00, 21/25 $4.40.
MALAYSIA: BLACK TIGER: Un/12 $9.80, Un/15 $6.95, 16/20 $6.05, 21/25 $5.80, 26/30 $4.50,
31/40 $3.80, 51/60 $2.40.
MOZAMBIQUE: BLACK TIGER: Un/15 $6.80, 21/25 $5.75, 26/30 $4.40, 31/40 $3.65, 41/50
$2.95.
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE: Un/10 $10.80, Un/12 $8.60, Un/15 $6.40, 61/70
$2.10, 71/90 $1.90. WHITE(farm): 26/30 $4.20, 31/35 $3.55, 36/40 $3.10, 41/50 $3.00, 51/60
$2.65, 61/70 $2.55, 71/90 $2.20, 91/110 $2.10, 110/130 $1.85.
PANAMA: WHITE: #2: Un/10 $9.50, Un/12 $7.50, Un/15 $5.60, 16/20 $4.85, 21/25 $4.05, 26/30
$3.70, 31/35 $3.15, 36/40 $2.75, 41/50 $2.50, 51/60 $2.30.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER: Un/15 $6.80.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER(EZPEEL):IQF: 16/20 $6.05, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30 $4.65, 31/40 $3.65,
51/60 $3.15.
THAILAND:WHITE: #1 (farm): 21/25 $4.55, 26/30 $4.00, 31/35 $3.40, 36/40 $2.95, 41/50
$2.80, 71/90 $2.15.
VIETNAM: BLACK-TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.80, Un/12 $10.30, Un/15 $7.05, 16/20 $6.10,
21/25 $5.70, 26/30 $4.90, 31/40 $3.95.
SHRIMP(COOKED & PEELED):
INDONESIA:WHITE:(TAIL ON): (farm): 26/30 $5.60, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $4.00, 51/60 $3.95.
WHITE:(TAIL OFF): (farm): 31/40 $4.05, 41/50 $3.95, 51/60 $3.70, 61/70 $3.60, 71/90 $3.40.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): (vannamei): 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.80, 61/70 $3.25.
THAILAND:BLACK-TIGER:(TAIL ON): Un/15 $10.50, 16/20 $8.70, 21/25 $7.15, 31/40 $4.10,
41/50 $3.75, 51/60 $3.45, 71/90 $3.10.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER: (TAIL ON): 16/20 $8.60, 21/25 $7.25, 31/40 $4.85, 41/50 $3.85.
SHRIMP (PEELED & DEVEINED):
BLOCKS:
BANGLADESH(TAIL ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30
$4.85, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.85, 31/40
$4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-OFF): 16/20 $6.80, 21/25 $5.90, 26/30 $5.10, 31/40 $4.35, 41/50 $3.85, 51/60
51/60 $3.70, 61/ 70 $3.45, 71/90 $3.30.
VIETNAM(TAIL-ON): Un/15 $8.25, 16/20 $6.95.
IQF:
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE:(TAIL ON)(farm): 21/25 $6.30, 26/30 $6.20, 41/50
$4.10, WHITE(TAIL OFF):(farm): 21/25 $6.40, 41/50 $4.20, 51/60 $3.80, 61/70 $3.65, 71/90
$3.40.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL ON): 16/20 $6.75, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.95, 31/40 $4.25, 41/50
$3.75.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 26/30 $4.85, 41/50 $3.70.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): 21/25 $5.70, 26/30 $4.70, 31/35 $4.00, 36/40 $3.60, 41/50
$3.50.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 41/50 $3.80.
SHRIMP (PEELED, UNDEVEINED):
GULF: 5# 36/40 $3.55, 41/50 $3.30, 51/60 $3.15, 61/70 $3.05, 71/90 $2.85, 91/110 $2.70,
110/130 $2.40, 130/150 $2.20, 150/200 $1.85, 150/up $1.60.
SQUID:
CHINA: TUBES/TENTACLES: 3-5inch $1.45, 5-8 inch $2.00. Rings: $2.60.
THAILAND: TUBES/TENTACLES: (fully cleaned) 5-8 inch $2.50.

Source: U.S.DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is working on a three-pronged strategy to increase seafood exports from $200 million to $1 billion, Dr Muhammad Hayat, Fisheries Development Commissioner said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) with the cooperation of provincial departments is working on a three-pronged strategy to explore the potential of fisheries, the Fisheries Development Commissioner added.

Unveiling the strategy, Dr Hayat said that the government plans to control post-harvest losses, focusing on value addition and development of aquaculture and shrimp farming to enhance the exports.

Adopting techniques that major fish exporters use would control post-harvest losses, which account for 30 to 40 per cent of the total catch, he said.

About the lower level of value addition in fish, Dr Hayat said, “we are encouraging local and foreign investors to make value addition in seafood, as all of the fish are exported in raw form.”

About the European Commission ban on fish exports, the fisheries development commissioner said that the federal government with the assistance of provincial and foreign agencies is executing a plan to restore the suspended fisheries’ exports to the European Union after compliance with the procedures.

The ministry along with the provincial agencies and foreign agency UNIDO is pursuing a programme to meet the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the EC, he added.
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By: Aftab Maken - The News

KOCHI: The mandatory respondents for the second administrative review in the antidumping case against Indian shrimp exports have been announced. Limiting the number of respondents to two, the US Department of Commerce (USDC) has selected Devi Seafoods, Andhra Pradesh and Falcon Marines, Orissa, as the mandatory respondents on the basis of their export volumes.

These two companies are two of the largest exporters of warm water shrimp accounting for 22% of exports to the US market. It was on April 6, 2007, that the USDC initiated second administrative review of the antidumping duty on certain frozen warm water shrimp from India.

Sources said that the Bush administration has limited the number of mandatory respondents to two as there were a large number of review requests. It was in this context that the USDC selected two companies on the basis of export volumes. In the first administrative review, three companies, namely, Hindustan Lever, Falcon Marines and Liberty Group were selected as the mandatory respondents.
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Source: The Economic Times

A Russian food inspection delegation is “generally” satisfied with the improvement in safety standards at 20 aquaculture breeding and processing facilities in southern Vietnam.

Inspectors from the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) have wrapped up their 10-day inspection of a catfish breeding area in Ben Tre province and 19 processing facilities in the Mekong Delta.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors said the VPSS mission had appraised Vietnamese farmers’ recording and monitoring of the breeding process and treatment of breeding ponds.
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Source: Lao Dong – Translated by The Vinh - Thanh Nien Daily

MARK COLVIN: Don't come the raw prawn.

That's the Federal Government's message to seafood importers with today's decision to ban the import of raw prawns from countries which are not disease-free.

Australia's prawn farmers are happy, but importers are angry. Several countries are considering taking their protest to the World Trade Organisation.

Biosecurity Australia says its strict quarantine measures are aimed at keeping a number of diseases out of Australia's fisheries and farms.

But the effect is a total ban on raw prawn imports because none of Australia's current suppliers is disease-free and that's bound to push up the price.

Matt Brown reports.

MATT BROWN: The White Spot disease has had a devastating impact on prawn farming around the globe.

The CSIRO estimates its costs the industry as much as $30 billion. It's yet to be detected in Australian prawn farms, and the Federal Government says it's time to act to make sure it never is.

Federal Fisheries Minister Eric Abetz, says all raw prawn imports will be banned, from countries who are not disease-free.

ERIC ABETZ: This was not done to satisfy prawn farmers or prawn fisherman, nor was it designed to upset prawn importers. What it was designed to do was to keep disease out of Australia.

MATT BROWN: Despite the Minister's reasonings, it has annoyed Australia's suppliers.

George Kailis is the Vice President of Australian Seafood Importers Association. And he says the decision has not been well received, particularly in Asia, which supplies most of Australia's raw prawns.
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Source: ABC Online

VIET NAM - After a year of research, the Fishery and Aquaculture Department of Can Tho University have successfully cooperated with An Giang Fisheries Development Center to use a hormone that once injected into Leo catfish stimulates the production of eggs, a project that has been supported by An Giang Department of Science and Technology.

This precious fish breed has traditionally been fished in the Mekong Delta for its tasty meat, providing a great income to the people; however, numbers are dwindling and the fish are soon in danger of becoming extinct in the area.
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Source: TheFishSite News Desk

US - Amid the fishing villages of Chanthaburi Province, bracketed by the Gulf of Thailand and the Khao Soi Dao mountains, the inherently messy trade of shrimp farming is undergoing an environmental overhaul spearheaded by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The destruction of mangrove swamps and the pollution of natural waterways with waste from shrimp ponds has long drawn the ire of environmentalists, but in the past two years, Rubicon Resources LLC, a Los Angeles-based supplier of farmed shrimp to Wal-Mart, has bought and upgraded roughly 150 Thai shrimp farms. Among Rubicon's changes: increasing the testing and documentation of what is in its ponds, planting mangrove elsewhere to make up for the trees destroyed by its farms and standardizing treatment of the water discharged from its ponds.

Rubicon is pushing to meet a year-end deadline that all phases of shrimp production adhere to environmental and social standards backed by Wal-Mart, Red Lobster operator Darden Restaurants Inc. and other big buyers. The US-based industry group that drafted the standards, the Global Aquaculture Alliance, plans to unveil similar guidelines this year for farming of tilapia and catfish, with standards for salmon following later.Click here to continue a Full article

By: Kris Hudson and Wilawan Watcharasakwet - The Wall Street Journal Online

WASHINGTON — President Bush has given a new Cabinet-level committee a very short timeline — just 60 days — to develop plans to guarantee the safety of food and products imported into the USA.

The Interagency Working Group on Import Safety was established and met for the first time Wednesday.

"The American people expect their government to work tirelessly to make sure consumer products are safe," Bush said after the first meeting.

In the past two months, U.S. regulators have announced recalls of Chinese-made children's jewelry, building sets and plastic castles as well as Chinese tires and toothpaste, all for safety problems.

In June, the Food and Drug Administration restricted imports of five kinds of farmed seafood from China because of concerns about drug and chemical contamination. This spring, pet food with tainted Chinese ingredients injured an untold number of pets.

The announcement comes a day after the head of the FDA told Congress that the agency needed what could be a "painful" overhaul to be ready for the 21st century. The FDA oversees 80% of the food supply but got only one-third of the $1.3 billion the FDA and the USDA spent on food safety in fiscal 2006. FDA inspects less than 1% of a growing volume of imported foods.

Congressional investigators said at Tuesday's hearing that they had found instances of importers bringing seafood into the USA via Las Vegas to avoid the scrutiny it would get at seaports and mislabeling suspect goods to escape FDA computers' detection.

Bush aides said Wednesday's action was not directed specifically at China.
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By: David Jackson and Elizabeth Weise - USA TODAY

THE Food Standards Agency has published new guidance notes on the General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002.

Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 lays down general principles and requirements of food law and food safety procedures, and established the European Food Safety Authority.

The regulation provides a framework for food and feed law in the EC and imposes both on member states and on food and feed business operators. It applies to all stages of production, processing and distribution of food and feed, but does not apply to primary production for private domestic use or to the domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private domestic consumption. The principal aim of the regulation is to protect public health and consumers’ interests in relation to food.

New Food Standards Agency (FSA) Guidance Notes on compliance with Articles 14, 16, 18 and 19 of the General Food Law Regulation (EC) 178/2002 have been developed, covering food safety, traceability and the need to notify, withdraw and/or recall products not conforming with the food safety requirements applying under the regulation. Separate guidance is also being produced on the provisions in the regulation on animal feed.
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Source: FISHupdate

TOUGH new quarantine measures expected this week for cheap imported prawns are designed to protect the domestic industry, not the consumer, importers claim.

"We're getting screwed politically," said Harry Peters, chairman of the industry body, Australian Seafood Importers Association.

The group's 40 members handle about 80 per cent of seafood imports and source products from nations including China, Thailand, Vietnam and Norway. It warns that if more onerous tests for diseases that infect prawns, not people, are required, China, Vietnam and Thailand will pursue the case with the World Trade Organisation. "They've already discussed this with the WTO in Geneva last month," Mr Peters claimed.
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By: Leigh Dayton - The Australian

Current selling prices ex-warehouse New York as reported by original receivers(importers, brokers, etc) in the New York Metropolitan area in US DOLLARS/CENTS per pound (unless otherwise stated). Fillets are skinless, unless otherwise stated.

FINFISH:
SOLE FILLETS:
CHINA: 3oz $2.60, 5oz $3.20.
DOVER SOLE:
HOLLAND: 16-20oz $11.95, 20-24oz $11.95.
SEA BASS:
CHILE: PORTIONS: 4oz $9.95, 5oz $9.95, 6oz $9.95, 7oz $10.25, 8oz $10.50, 9oz $10.20,
10oz $10.20.

SHELLFISH:
KING CRAB: CLAWS & SECTIONS:
WESTERN:RED: 6-9cnt $10.75, 9-12cnt $10.70, 12-14cnt $9.40, 14-17cnt $7.50, 16-20cnt
$6.40, 20-24cnt $5.75.
FROG LEGS: IQF:
CHINA: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.25, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80, 9-12pair(sml) $2.45.
VIETNAM: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.25, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80, 9-12pair(sml) $2.45.
MUSSELS:
NEW ZEALAND: 1/2 shell med $1.80.
OCTOPUS(PULPO):
PHILIPPINES: 1-2# $1.40, 2-4# $1.45, 4-6# $1.60, 6-8# $1.70.
PORTUGAL: 1-2# $2.10, 2-4# $3.10, 4-6# $3.65, 6-8# $3.90, 8#up $4.10.
SHRIMP, HEADLESS: SHELL-ON:
BANGLADESH: BLACK TIGER: 6-8 $13.95, Un/12 $9.60, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25
$5.80, 26/30 $4.30, 31/40 $3.70, 41/50 $3.20.
CHINA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 41/50 $2.80, 51/60 $2.70.
ECUADOR:WHITE:(farm): 31/35 $3.65, 36/40 $3.30, 41/50 $3.20, 51/60 $2.80, 61/70 $2.70,
71/90 $2.40, 91/110 $2.30.
GULF: WHITE: Un/15 $6.70, 16/20 $5.65, 21/25 $4.95, 26/30 $4.55, 31/35 $3.80, 36/40 $3.50,
41/50 $3.40, 51/60 $3.30, 61/70 $3.00.
GULF: BROWN: Un/10 $11.25, Un/12 $9.40, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $5.80, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30
$4.80, 31/35 $3.60, 36/40 $3.15, 41/50 $2.70, 51/60 $2.55, 61/70 $2.55.
HONDURAS:PINK: 26/30 $3.70, 31/35 $2.90, 36/40 $2.80.
INDIA: BLACK TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.85, Un/12 $10.15, Un/15 $7.00, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25
$5.80, 26/30 $4.80, 31/40 $3.90, 51/60 $2.40.
INDONESIA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 26/30 $4.25, 31/40 $3.25, 41/50 $3.10, 51/60 $3.00.
MEXICO WEST COAST: WHITE: No.1 Un/12 $9.70, Un/15 $6.80, (farm): 16/20 $5.20, 21/25
$4.50, WHITE:No.2 Un/15 $6.00, 21/25 $4.40.
MALAYSIA: BLACK TIGER: Un/12 $9.90, Un/15 $6.95, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25 $5.80, 26/30 $4.50,
31/40 $3.80, 51/60 $2.40.
MOZAMBIQUE: BLACK TIGER: Un/15 $6.75, 26/30 $4.45, 31/40 $3.70, 41/50 $3.10, 91/110
$2.00.
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE: Un/10 $10.80, Un/12 $8.60, Un/15 $6.40, 61/70
$2.10, 71/90 $1.90. WHITE(farm): 26/30 $4.25, 31/35 $3.45, 36/40 $3.10, 41/50 $2.95, 51/60
$2.55, 61/70 $2.50, 71/90 $2.20, 91/110 $2.10, 110/130 $1.80.
PANAMA: WHITE: #2: Un/10 $9.50, Un/12 $7.50, Un/15 $5.60, 16/20 $4.60, 21/25 $3.75, 26/30
$3.45, 31/35 $3.00, 36/40 $2.60, 41/50 $2.30, 51/60 $2.20.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER: Un/15 $6.80.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER(EZPEEL):IQF: 16/20 $6.05, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30 $4.65, 31/40 $3.65,
51/60 $3.15.
THAILAND:WHITE: #1 (farm): 26/30 $4.10, 36/40 $2.95, 41/50 $2.85, 71/90 $2.15.
VIETNAM: BLACK-TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.80, Un/12 $10.30, Un/15 $7.05, 26/30 $4.90,
31/40 $3.95.
SHRIMP(COOKED & PEELED):
INDONESIA:WHITE:(TAIL ON): (farm): 26/30 $5.60, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $4.00, 51/60 $3.95.
WHITE:(TAIL OFF): (farm): 31/40 $4.05, 41/50 $3.95, 51/60 $3.70, 61/70 $3.60, 71/90 $3.40.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): (vannamei): 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.80, 61/70 $3.25.
THAILAND:BLACK-TIGER:(TAIL ON): Un/15 $10.50, 16/20 $8.70, 21/25 $7.15, 31/40 $4.10,
41/50 $3.75, 51/60 $3.45, 71/90 $3.10.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER: (TAIL ON): 16/20 $8.60, 21/25 $7.25, 31/40 $4.85, 41/50 $3.85.
SHRIMP (PEELED & DEVEINED):
BLOCKS:
BANGLADESH(TAIL ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30
$4.85, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.85, 31/40
$4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-OFF): 16/20 $6.80, 21/25 $5.90, 26/30 $5.10, 31/40 $4.35, 41/50 $3.85, 51/60
51/60 $3.70, 61/ 70 $3.45, 71/90 $3.30.
VIETNAM(TAIL-ON): Un/15 $8.25, 16/20 $6.95.
IQF:
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE:(TAIL ON)(farm): 21/25 $6.30, 26/30 $6.20, 41/50
$4.10, WHITE(TAIL OFF):(farm): 21/25 $6.30, 41/50 $4.20, 51/60 $3.80, 61/70 $3.65, 71/90
$3.40.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL ON): 16/20 $6.75, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.95, 31/40 $4.25, 41/50
$3.75.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 26/30 $4.85, 41/50 $3.70.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): 21/25 $5.70, 26/30 $4.70, 31/35 $4.00, 36/40 $3.60.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 41/50 $3.80.
SHRIMP (PEELED, UNDEVEINED):
GULF: 5# 36/40 $3.55, 41/50 $3.35, 51/60 $3.20, 61/70 $3.10, 71/90 $2.90, 91/110 $2.75,
110/130 $2.45, 130/150 $2.20, 150/200 $1.85, 150/up $1.60.
SQUID:
CHINA: TUBES/TENTACLES: 3-5inch $1.45, 5-8 inch $2.00. Rings: $2.60.
THAILAND: TUBES/TENTACLES: (fully cleaned) 5-8 inch $2.50.

Source: U.S.DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

The little bit of rain the past couple of weeks is helping some with our drought conditions, but water levels are still down in ponds and lakes.

Those low water levels are hurting catfish farmers in our area.

Right now it means added expenses for the farmer, expenses they may eventually have to pass along to the consumer.

Milton Taylor's family owns 6 ponds.

They raise, process, and sell catfish.

But a primary ingredient has been in short supply.

"To make sure we've got plenty available for our fish market, we keep at least 10,000 and sometimes up to 15,000 pounds in this pond," says Taylor.

But with the water down almost 2 feet, it can get crowded in a pond normally 7 feet deep.

Quality is also a concern.

"We test it for PH, alkaline, nitrites that would come out of the settlings in the mud," says Taylor.
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Source: WAFF.com

The appreciation of the baht is having a ripple effect on the agricultural sector with farmers being forced to sell their products at low prices, Board of Trade deputy secretary-general Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said yesterday.

Mr Pornsilp said farmers have to sell their products at bargain prices to exporters, who in turn have to sell their agricultural exports for less than their true value so their businesses can survive the financial crunch.

Local agricultural exporters do not have power over the agricultural market which is dominated by foreign importers, he said, adding that they are wielding influence in setting the price of farm products.

Agricultural exporters have to sell their goods at bargain prices to stay competitive with foreign rivals and to retain their share of the market, although they have to face the burden of increasing production costs, Mr Pornsilp said.

In order for them to avoid losses, exporters force farmers to sell their agricultural produce at low prices, too.

Mr Pornsilp expected the baht appreciation to have a gradual effect on the whole agricultural sector by the end of the year. He said shrimp farmers who cannot cope with increasing costs of production may have to lower their production capacity.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the strong baht's impact on the income of grassroots farmers is not quite obvious for the time being, but he warned that its effects would begin to be felt in the next two months.
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By: Phusadee Arunmas & Anucha Charoenpo - Bangkok Post

The July 2007 edition of the Australian Seafood Industry Directory is now available.

Strengthen your business now with current contacts for industry associations, seafood producers, exporters, importers, processors, retailers and wholesalers; consultants, goods and service providers; industry development and R&D providers; and government agencies.

Available in PDF (includes hyperlinks to contacts’ websites and email address) or hard copy. Subscriptions are also available to receive the four quarterly updated editions of the Directory published each year.

Click here for a free PDF sample

BEIJING (Reuters) - China and the United States will hold five days of talks in Beijing this month over Chinese seafood exports detained for harmful residues, Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday.

Chinese products ranging from toys and tires to medicines and toothpastes have been reeling from a global confidence crisis in past months after countries including the U.S. banned or recalled them for being tainted or substandard.

The U.S. Food and Drug Agency said on June 28 that their inspectors continued to find certain banned veterinary drugs and food additives in Chinese farm-raised catfish, basa, shrimp, dace and eel.

It said such Chinese exports would not be allowed to enter the country until suppliers could prove they are free from the substances, which posed no immediate public health threat because of their low levels but could be a problem in the long run.

FDA officials would talk with their Chinese counterparts for five days from July 31 to settle the dispute, Xinhua quoted Li Yuanping, an official with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), as saying.
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Source: Reuters

CHINA - China is changing from a net shrimp exporter to a net importer; more than 80 per cent of Vannamei farmed in China is now consumed domestically.

The world's production of shrimp expanded 10-fold from 1995 to 2005. Notably, the growth has been conspicuous in China.

Most of the shrimp produced in China are directed to domestic consumption. But, on top of that, imports of shrimp have been on the increase too, backed by the nation's smooth economic growth. Market analysts predict that imports will continue to rise in the years ahead.

Chinese production of Vannamei accelerated in 2000 and now 90 per cent of shrimp farms here culture the species. The sector has seen phenomenal growth in a relatively short time - productivity is reaching near on one million tons a year, which accounts for half of the world's total production. Just over 800,000 tons are now directed to the domestic market.

China's shrimp imports have crept up steadily since the first half of the 1990s, with the proportion of imports to exports changing noticeably in 2002. Imports expanded in line with the country's economic growth, driven on since 2001 by the prospect of the Beijing Olympic Games. The 2008 Games are likely to push the market further.
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Source: TheFishSite News Desk

The success of our sustainable seafood campaign means that many UK supermarkets now source most of their cod from Icelandic waters - which are the healthiest when compared to the battered state of other European stocks (in the North, Baltic and Barents seas, for example), but also a region in which fish numbers are declining. This decline is now having a great influence on Iceland's approach to managing its cod stocks.

Iceland wants to maintain its good reputation for sustainability and, for what is probably the first time ever in Europe, is following the advice of its scientists and drastically cutting its cod quotas as recommended this year (from 190,000 tonnes down to 130,000 tonnes). And they're not too proud to admit that the decision is due to pressure from their main customer - the major UK supermarkets. If that isn't surprising enough, they are delaying the start of the capelin fishing season this year as it's the cod's main prey. That's almost like management from an ecosystem perspective... whatever next!

And it's having an interesting effect on UK producers. A recent editorial from seafood industry bible seafoodnews.com describes the development as "a wind of change " which will "end up saving the wild fisheries by essentially giving the industry no choice".

You can read the whole article below (or more likely just skip to the bold text for the key quotes). Then wake me up please, I must be dreaming...
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By: John Sackton - Greenpeace UK

Current selling prices ex-warehouse New York as reported by original receivers(importers, brokers, etc) in the New York Metropolitan area in US DOLLARS/CENTS per pound (unless otherwise stated). Fillets are skinless, unless otherwise stated.

FINFISH:
SOLE FILLETS:
CHINA: 3oz $2.60, 5oz $3.20.
DOVER SOLE:
HOLLAND: 16-20oz $11.95, 20-24oz $11.95.
SEA BASS:
CHILE: PORTIONS: 4oz $9.95, 5oz $9.95, 6oz $9.95, 7oz $10.25, 8oz $10.50, 9oz $10.20,
10oz $10.20.

SHELLFISH:
KING CRAB: CLAWS & SECTIONS:
WESTERN:RED: 6-9cnt $10.75, 12-14cnt $8.75, 16-20cnt $6.40, 20-24cnt $5.65.
FROG LEGS: IQF:
CHINA: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.25, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80.
VIETNAM: 2-4pair(jmb) $2.25, 4-6pair(lge) $2.60, 6-8pair(med) $2.80.
MUSSELS:
NEW ZEALAND: 1/2 shell med $1.80.
OCTOPUS(PULPO):
PHILIPPINES: 1-2# $1.40, 2-4# $1.45, 4-6# $1.60, 6-8# $1.70.
PORTUGAL: 1-2# $2.10, 2-4# $3.10, 4-6# $3.65, 6-8# $3.90, 8#up $4.10.
SHRIMP, HEADLESS: SHELL-ON:
BANGLADESH: BLACK TIGER: 6-8 $13.95, Un/12 $9.75, Un/15 $6.75, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25
$5.80, 26/30 $4.30, 31/40 $3.70.
CHINA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 26/30 $3.60, 31/40 $3.10, 41/50 $2.80.
ECUADOR:WHITE:(farm): 26/30 $4.30, 31/35 $3.95, 36/40 $3.30, 41/50 $3.00, 51/60 $2.70,
61/70 $2.60, 71/90 $2.40, 91/110 $2.20.
GULF: WHITE: Un/15 $6.70, 16/20 $5.65, 21/25 $4.95, 26/30 $4.55, 31/35 $3.80, 36/40 $3.50,
41/50 $3.40, 51/60 $3.30, 61/70 $3.00.
GULF: BROWN: Un/10 $11.25, Un/12 $9.40, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $5.80, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30
$4.80, 31/35 $3.60, 36/40 $3.15, 41/50 $2.70, 51/60 $2.55, 61/70 $2.55.
HONDURAS:PINK: 21/25 $4.25, 26/30 $3.90, 31/35 $3.10, 36/40 $2.90, 71/90 $2.00.
INDIA: BLACK TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.85, Un/12 $10.15, Un/15 $7.00, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25
$5.80, 26/30 $4.80, 31/40 $3.90, 51/60 $2.40.
INDONESIA:WHITE(EZPEEL):IQF: 26/30 $4.25, 31/40 $3.25, 41/50 $3.10, 51/60 $3.00.
MEXICO WEST COAST: WHITE: No.1 Un/12 $9.70, Un/15 $6.80, (farm): 16/20 $5.20, 21/25
$4.50, WHITE:No.2 Un/15 $6.00, 21/25 $4.40.
MALAYSIA: BLACK TIGER: Un/12 $9.90, Un/15 $6.85, 16/20 $6.15, 21/25 $5.80, 26/30 $4.45,
31/40 $3.80, 51/60 $2.40.
MOZAMBIQUE: BLACK TIGER: 26/30 $4.45, 31/40 $3.65, 41/50 $3.10, 51/60 $2.50, 61/70
$2.40, 71/90 $2.10.
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE: Un/10 $10.30, Un/12 $8.50, Un/15 $6.30, 16/20
$5.40, 51/60 $2.30, 61/70 $2.10, 71/90 $1.90. WHITE(farm): 26/30 $4.20, 31/35 $3.40, 36/40
$3.00, 41/50 $2.85, 51/60 $2.50, 61/70 $2.40, 71/90 $2.15, 91/110 $2.05, 110/130 $1.80.
PANAMA: WHITE: #2: Un/10 $9.50, Un/12 $7.50, Un/15 $5.60, 16/20 $4.60, 21/25 $3.75, 26/30
$3.45, 31/35 $3.00, 36/40 $2.60, 41/50 $2.30, 51/60 $2.20.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER: Un/15 $6.80.
THAILAND:BLACK TIGER(EZPEEL):IQF: 16/20 $6.05, 21/25 $5.30, 26/30 $4.65, 31/40 $3.65,
51/60 $3.15.
THAILAND:WHITE: #1 (farm): 21/25 $4.40, 26/30 $3.90, 31/35 $3.30, 36/40 $2.85, 41/50 $2.70,
51/60 $2.40, 71/90 $2.10.
VIETNAM: BLACK-TIGER: 4-6 $14.50, 6-8 $13.80, Un/12 $10.30, Un/15 $7.05, 26/30 $4.90,
31/40 $3.95.
SHRIMP(COOKED & PEELED):
INDONESIA:WHITE:(TAIL ON): (farm): 26/30 $5.60, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $4.00, 51/60 $3.95.
WHITE:(TAIL OFF): (farm): 31/40 $4.05, 41/50 $3.95, 51/60 $3.70, 61/70 $3.60, 71/90 $3.40.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): (vannamei): 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.80.
THAILAND:BLACK-TIGER:(TAIL ON): Un/15 $10.50, 16/20 $9.00, 21/25 $7.15, 31/40 $4.10,
41/50 $3.75, 51/60 $3.45, 71/90 $3.10.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER: (TAIL ON): 16/20 $8.60, 21/25 $7.25, 31/40 $4.85, 41/50 $3.85.
SHRIMP (PEELED & DEVEINED):
BLOCKS:
BANGLADESH(TAIL ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30
$4.85, 31/40 $4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-ON): Un/12 $11.30, Un/15 $8.10, 16/20 $6.90, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.85, 31/40
$4.40, 41/50 $3.90.
INDIA(TAIL-OFF): 16/20 $6.80, 21/25 $5.90, 26/30 $5.10, 31/40 $4.35, 41/50 $3.85, 51/60
51/60 $3.70, 61/ 70 $3.45, 71/90 $3.30.
VIETNAM(TAIL-ON): Un/15 $8.25, 16/20 $6.95.
IQF:
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: WHITE:(TAIL ON)(farm): 21/25 $6.30, 26/30 $6.00, 41/50
$4.10, WHITE(TAIL OFF):(farm): 21/25 $6.10, 41/50 $4.20, 51/60 $3.80, 61/70 $3.70, 71/90
$3.45.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL ON): 16/20 $6.75, 21/25 $5.95, 26/30 $4.95, 31/40 $4.25, 41/50
$3.75.
INDIA:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 26/30 $4.75, 41/50 $3.70.
THAILAND:WHITE:(TAIL-ON): 21/25 $5.70, 26/30 $4.75, 31/35 $4.00, 36/40 $3.70.
VIETNAM:BLACK TIGER(TAIL OFF): 41/50 $3.80.
SHRIMP (PEELED, UNDEVEINED):
GULF: 5# 36/40 $3.55, 41/50 $3.35, 51/60 $3.20, 61/70 $3.10, 71/90 $2.95, 91/110 $2.80,
110/130 $2.45, 130/150 $2.25, 150/200 $1.85, 150/up $1.60.
SQUID:
CHINA: TUBES/TENTACLES: 3-5inch $1.45, 5-8 inch $2.00. Rings: $2.60.
THAILAND: TUBES/TENTACLES: (fully cleaned) 5-8 inch $2.50.

Source: U.S.DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WHEN it comes to seafood safety in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is the thin red line between the public and the fish farmers of the world. While the United States Department of Agriculture has the mandate for certifying meat, the F.D.A. is responsible for inspecting imported seafood. And although it oversees the safety of 80 percent of all food products, the F.D.A. gets only about 35 percent of the overall food safety budget.

That is not only a shame, it may also be a real danger for anybody who has a weakness for barbecued shrimp, blackened catfish or sautéed scallops.

Every year about 6.6 million tons of seafood are imported into the United States from 160 different countries. That’s a lot of fish: the frozen shrimp alone would make a shrimp cocktail the size of the Sears Tower. Yet the Food and Drug Administration has only 85 inspectors working primarily with seafood.

If you want to spend a sobering half hour, go to the import alerts section of the administration’s Web site. There you will find claw crab meat from Indonesia rejected because of filth (meaning it may have carried rodent hairs or parts of disease-carrying insects), shrimp from Thailand rejected because of salmonella (in fact, 40 percent of rejections for salmonella were for shrimp) and tuna from Vietnam turned back for histamines (responsible for scombroid poisoning). Most troubling is the number of rejections because of banned veterinary drugs and antibiotics like chloramphenicol, a cause of aplastic anemia, and nitrofurans, which are suspected carcinogens.

In May, 48 seafood shipments from China were rejected. According to the nonprofit group Food and Water Watch, of the 860,000 separate seafood shipments imported into the United States, a mere 1.34 percent were physically inspected and only 0.59 percent ever made it into a lab for more rigorous testing. To put this in perspective: if the F.D.A. were responsible for inspecting that 108-story tower of shrimp, they would barely make it past the second floor before calling it quits.
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By: TARAS GRESCOE - The New York Times

What is proposed as a systematic method for tracking the spread of disease by livestock has turned into a monster with 50 heads for every one potentially impacted by the program.

“That’s exactly what it has become,” said John Heller, animal identification coordinator for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “That’s a perfect description of it.”

The National Animal Identification System or NAIS program was first introduced in November 2004. Nearly three years later the program is still in draft form and has met serious opposition in Colorado, especially in Lincoln County.

Three-step process

The program is designed to identify all premises with agricultural animals for tracking in case of a disease outbreak. Implementation is a three-step process.

The first step is registering the premises where the livestock is kept with the United States Department of Agriculture. The required information includes contact name, business name, physical address of the premises, business organization such as individual or partnership, type of business such as production, exhibition or slaughtering plant, phone numbers, e-mail address and type of livestock. Anyone boarding animals would have to work with the property owner to get the premises registered.

The second step is tagging each head. Livestock includes cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, bison, deer, elk, alpacas, llamas, fish and shellfish. Tagging can be done with ear tags, microchip or a radio frequency device. Group or lot identification would be allowed only where groups of animals are managed together from birth to death and not co-mingled with other animals.

The third step is animal tracking. Each time a tag is applied, an animal needs to be re-tagged, is missing, co-mingled or sold, the event would have to be reported to the government within 24 hours.

If an animal is co-mingled with other animals, such as at a sale or show and then becomes sick, the system will allow the USDA to track down every animal the diseased animal has come in contact with, and, in turn, every animal that has come in contact with the animals that co-mingled with the diseased animal.

“It’s an itinerary of the animal’s travels,” said Tom McBride, Adams County livestock extension agent. “It’s a good idea. On a large scale like the National Western Stock Show it could make a big difference. With a show that big you’ve got livestock coming in from several different states.”
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By: JoAnn Knutson - MetroWest Newspapers