Market Report- Spotlight

Swordfish supplies, prices consistent

By April Forristall, SeafoodSource assistant editor

22 March, 2010 - For swordfish, it’s been a typical winter pattern this year. Low supplies are keeping prices moderately high, although global economic conditions are keeping prices lower than they could be as spring approaches.

U.S. landings are heavier on the Pacific side, especially in Hawaii. Mid-Atlantic and offshore boats landing in either Puerto Rico or South Carolina are the second-strongest influence, with South America having a minimal impact on supply right now.

“Good fish are hard to find,” said one East Coast supplier. “Prices have been in the mid-USD 5 to low-USD 6 range on 100s and up. There’s a lot of lesser fish available for cutting.”

Supplies and prices aren’t expected to change much over the next few months. Supply will be moderate, especially for high-grade fish, said the suppler, with prices increasing slightly to the high-USD 5 to high-USD 6 range for H&G.

“One exception, maybe next month, is that Hawaii may have some big trips and that will hold prices down,” said the supplier.

In 2008, Hawaii landed about 3.8 million pounds, more than half of total U.S. landings of 7.5 million pounds. California followed, at about 1.2 million pounds.

Last year, Panama was by far the United States’ largest supplier of fresh swordfish imports at about 2.6 million pounds, trailed by Singapore and Ecuador.

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Added 11/14/2010 9:12:37 PM

Michael Silver

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