The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking U.S. Alaska pollock producers to bid on supplying 920,000 pounds of the fish for use in domestic food distribution programs in 2025.
Bids for the pollock are due 13 November, and winning suppliers will make deliveries between January and April 2025.
“I believe when compared to other proteins options, USDA’s purchases of Alaska pollock provide a great value to the Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Program,” the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) CEO Craig Morris told SeafoodSource.
The USDA is also asking for bids on 168,800 cases of canned pink salmon and 108,000 pounds of wild frozen salmon fillets. Offers are due by 15 November, and winning suppliers will make deliveries between January and June 2025.
The USDA purchased a significant amount – more than USD 65 million (EUR 60 million) worth – of pollock in fiscal year 2024, according GAPP. The agency awarded contracts to High Liner Foods and Trident Seafoods for USD 3.76 million (EUR 3.5 million) worth of Alaska Pollock in June.
Meanwhile, the department awarded contracts to supply frozen unbreaded catfish fillets and catfish strips worth around USD 1.14 million (EUR 1 million).
Itta Bena, Mississippi, U.S.A.-based Heartland Catfish Co. was awarded a contract worth USD 722,000 (EUR 672,000), while Consolidated Catfish in Isola, Mississippi will supply around USD 414,000 (EUR 385,000) worth of catfish.
The contracts span from January through June 2025.
