Prices of mahimahi in mid-January were typical for the season, meaning they are at their the low point, according to one importer.
In mid-January, the importer said prices of mahi, also known as dorado or dolphinfish, were as low as USD 1.65 a pound, and the average market price was running at about USD 1.85 a pound for frozen H&G mahi.
"It's pretty close to rock bottom in terms of import selling price. I anticipate in the next week or two prices will start inching up a bit," said the importer.
The low prices are keeping demand for the fish high, as restaurants feature it on menu boards and supermarkets run specials. And there is no shortage of the species to go around, as production in Central America reached its peak in the second and third weeks of December and stayed strong through January.
While mahi is available through both domestic and imported sources, the latter brings in the majority of supply to the U.S. market. Countries including Guatamala, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica supply the most mahi during the winter months, and other countries, including Nicaruga and Columbia, become more involved in the spring and summer months.
Through November 2009, Ecuador exported the highest amount of mahi to the U.S. market at just under 10.8 million pounds. Peru (9.7 million pounds) and China (6.8 million pounds) rounded out the top three mahi exporters.
However, come spring and summer, production will be pretty slim as the Pacific season winds down and Atlantic production doesn't gear up for a few months. Prices can increase to as high as USD 4 per pound when production drops.
January 24, 2010
