A relatively unknown product just three years ago, demand for cobia in the United States is now so strong international suppliers are taking advantage and ramping up production to satisfy an eager market.
In mid-June, Marine Harvest Vietnam announced that sales of its akvacobia brand farmed cobia have quadrupled with its entry into the U.S. market. Jumping from 5,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds per month during the first four months of its official U.S. launch, the company expects to surpass 40,000 pounds per month in sales by the third quarter of this year.
And they’re not the only ones. International cobia producers increasing their presence in the U.S. market is a recent trend being seen by one U.S. producer.
Tracey Mitchell, business development director for Virginia Cobia Farms, said despite the increase in imports, demand is still outpacing supply for cobia as interest and knowledge of the whitefish increases, especially in the foodservice industry.
“I get so many calls requesting product we can’t fulfill (the orders),” said Mitchell. “I think we’re going to have to go a long way to increase supply before we see any negative price pressure.”
At press time, prices for head-on gutted fish were holding steady in the $USD to USD 6 range. Mitchell says that with more product entering the pipeline, prices should remain stable.
