Download ISC PDF

Market Report

<< Go Back to Main Market Reports Page

Print Page

RSS Fee

September 20, 2011

Grouper is very tight this week and will probably remain so for at least the remainder of the month as boats in Mexico remain out fishing for Octopus. In fact, more boats than ever are fishing for Octopus because there is a real shortage in Octopus and prices are at an astronomical level. Octopus is a staple in Mediterranean countries and especially in Southeast Asia and China, which is becoming the new world leader in consumption of seafood. Over the next years we expect imports in seafood to China rise drastically as they really don’t have enough local resources in farmed or wild seafood to meet the demand of 1.4 billion Chinese who have a tradition of eating and enjoying seafood as they become wealthier middle class consumers.

Snapper is also very tight this week and expensive. We don’t know if it will ease up towards the end of the week but we are trying to find out.

Halibut is going to probably fall towards the end of this week as boats cycle back in from the bad weather last week in Alaska.

Speaking of Alaska, the fall season on Cod has begun. We are starting to get shipments in; prices are not as attractive as they were in the winter months but it is still a bargain and the quality is just exceptional. We suggest that you look at that for an everyday versatile fish.

For good availability with items at good prices this week you also need to look at Amberjack, Barrelfish, and Mahi Mahi, which has fallen and is a great deal. We are now back to getting Lake Pontchartrain Drum and the price is extremely attractive.

Another great purchase this week is on Wild Columbia River Kings and Columbia River Coho Salmon, which came in our door this morning. They are of beautiful quality and an exceptional value in Wild Salmon. We also have the last of this season’s Sockeye Salmon from Northern Puget Sound in, and we have been assured that this is the last of the Wild Sockeye Salmon that we will see this year.

Atlantic Salmon is actually higher from Chile because of a succession of four holidays, including their Independence Day. Prices for Chilean Salmon have risen and prices for other Farmed Atlantic Salmon are following suit but we were able to get good prices on shipments of Whole Scottish Salmon and maintain good price levels and good quantities.

We are hoping that Flounder from the mid-Atlantic will be more prevalent towards the end of the week. Right now the prices are very, very high but we expect those to drop towards the weekend.

One of the hits of our show last week was our Frozen Porcini Mushrooms. We have both Whole Small Buttons and Diced Cubed Porcinis, perfect for all pasta dishes and all wild mushroom medleys. In addition, Fresh Oregon Chanterelles have come way down in price as the season has progressed in the Northwest. They had some rain over the weekend so we are getting A-grade Chanterelles in this weekend.


We are upping our quantities of Jumbo Lobster Lump so that we can continue to have plenty on hand. At these prices, it is a good bargain; especially when compared to fresh Blue Crab Meat, which is getting more expensive. Check with your sales representative for details.


We do have some Viking Village Day Boat Scallops coming in, as well as Fresh Shrimp, basically 21/25’s through 36/40’s.

We have a good supply of Chesapeake, Virginia-side, Oysters coming in as the prices and availability have improved after the rains.