Shellfish

Weak yen reduces Japan’s crab buying power

April Forristall — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:09:51 GMT

The Japanese government is struggling to prevent imports of poached Russian crab as reflagged vessels continue Japan’s supply of poached crab.

Many factors creating uncertainty in shrimp markets

April Forristall — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:42:22 GMT

Uncertainty over Thailand’s disease problem and the outcome of the U.S. countervailing duty dispute are putting the shrimp industry on edge.

Japanese fill their hotpots with IUU crab

April Forristall — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:14:17 GMT

Japan will soon require certificates of origin for Russian Okhotsk Sea crab landings, so poachers have been landing as much as possible before the new system goes into affect.

Norway crab a complicated delicacy

April Forristall — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:54:55 GMT

The destructive nature of red king crab continues to divide opinions about the species, including how to prove the sustainability of the product.

Alaska crab quota cut of little concern to buyers

April Forristall — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:32:40 GMT

Overstocked crab situations in the U.S., including Russian stocks, have been enough to slowly drag the market down.

Chilean clam market going strong

April Forristall — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:13:09 GMT

Exports of venus clams have dropped to 47 metric tons (MT) while prices are rose to USD 9,333 per MT.

U.K. mussel retail sales see double-digit growth

April Forristall — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:50:39 GMT

Spain is the driving force behind EU blue mussel production with an annual production of between 250,00 and 300,000 ethic tons — more than all the other top six European producing nations combined.

UK brown crab landings trend downward

Steve Hedlund — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:12:32 GMT

In 2010, 24,436 metric tons of brown crab was landed into the United Kingdom by U.K. vessels, up slightly from 24,400 metric tons in the previous year. Valued at around GBP 31 million (EUR 38.4 million, USD 48.1 million), brown crab is the country’s third most valuable fishery after langoustines and mackerel.

Spain works to improve clam production

April Forristall — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:11:04 GMT

Spain produced 2,127 metric tons of clams valued at EUR 19.7 million in 2011, down 13.8 percent from 2,468 metric tons in 2010. The reduction in supply had a positive effect on the average price with a 4.8 percent increase to EUR 9.27 per kilogram in 2011 from EUR 8.85 per kilogram in 2010.

Mediterranean mussels on Spanish spring menus

Steve Hedlund — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:40:30 GMT

April sees the start of Spain’s Mediterranean mussel season (Mytilus galloprovincialis), mainly cultivated in coastal waters off the northwestern province of Galicia, as its Latin name suggests. Production of this variety in Spain is topped only by China.

Crazy crab season has buyers, suppliers on edge

Steve Hedlund — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:56:58 GMT

Alaska crab buyers and suppliers are wondering what to make of this season. They’ve already seen record high prices for king crab caused by a nearly 50 percent reduction in quota coupled with a lack of snow crab at the start of the 2012 season due to some of the worst ice conditions in decades.

Spider crab plentiful in Spain

April Forristall — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:08:29 GMT

While the commercial spider crab season commences in December in time to satisfy Christmas demand, peak period guaranteeing the highest quality and optimal size is February, continuing into March. In a bid to establish the precise regime for shellfish exploitation in Galicia, Spain’s Ministry of the Sea put in force its 2012 Seafood Operating Plan to ensure the “good management of the resource taking into account available scientific data and advice.”

Holiday, exports keep spiny lobster prices high

April Forristall — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:04:35 GMT

Florida spiny lobster prices are high this season due to increased demand from China and somewhat lower production. The spiny lobster season runs from August through March and is one of Florida’s top commercial seafood products in terms of dockside value.

Lobster takes top spot on Spanish tables

April Forristall — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:25:29 GMT

While all shellfish varieties enjoy high seasonal demand throughout the Spanish Christmas period, lobster is the most common, traditionally boiled and served with homemade mayonnaise or a salpicón (fresh diced salad).

Stone crab season a promising one

April Forristall — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:21:56 GMT

Florida stone crab landings are higher so far this season compared to last season, pushing prices down. The season began Oct. 15 and runs through mid-May. “There is good production this year,” said one supplier. “Supply is definitely going to outweigh the demand.”

King crab to be in short supply

Steve Hedlund — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:57:45 GMT

The significantly lower quota on this season’s Alaskan red king crab catch is expected to result in a shortage of product in the market and higher prices. “We are very concerned about the lower quota,” said one buyer.

Storm dampens U.S. East Coast shellfish harvests

April Forristall — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:37:35 GMT

East Coast shellfish harvesting took a temporary hit in September after many shellfish beds were closed due to heavy rainfall. While Hurricane Irene was to blame for some of the closures, heavy rains before and after the late August storm caused other temporary closures.

Competition growing for Canadian blue mussels

April Forristall — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:55:45 GMT

Global demand for North American blue mussels is on the rise, due to increased supplies, innovative packaging techniques and reduced competition from other producing regions.

Dungeness prices top historic average

Steve Hedlund — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:12:58 GMT

With the season ending this month, the harvest volume of Oregon Dungeness crab is more than the historic average. But the real story this year is the price. The 2010-11 season got off to a late start but still resulted in an above-average haul; by mid-July, the harvest total had reached 21 million pounds.

Warmwater lobster tail supply going strong

April Forristall — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:29:43 GMT

The warmwater spiny lobster supply from South and Central America has been steady this season compared to last, and foodservice buyers are showing more interest because prices are significantly lower than those for its coldwater cousins.