Aq 1 (6-10) Catfish Processing Washington, D.C. Released June 18, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Processing" call Chris Hawthorn at (202) 720-0585, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Catfish Processing Down 4 Percent from Last Year Farm-raised catfish processed during May 2010 totaled 38.2 million pounds round weight, down 4 percent from May 2009. The average price paid to producers was 79.6 cents per pound for May 2010, down 0.8 cent from last month but 3.4 cents above a year ago. Net pounds of processed fish sold during May 2010 totaled 19.1 million pounds, up 2 percent from the comparable month in 2009. Sales of fresh fish, at 7.28 million pounds, were up 2 percent from May 2009 and represented 38 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 11.9 million pounds, were up 2 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 62 percent of total fish sales. Sales of whole fish represented 19 percent of the total fish sold, fillets accounted for 60 percent, and the remaining 21 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products. The total end of the month inventory decreased 9 percent from last month but was up 5 percent from a year ago. The total fresh and frozen average price for May 2010 was $2.48, down 7 cents from a year ago. The average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.44 per pound, down 7 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.55 per pound, down 15 cents from May 2009. Prices for fresh fillets were up 2 cents from a year ago at $3.25 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.50 per pound, down 7 cents from May 2009. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were unchanged at $2.23 and frozen fillets at $2.99 per pound were up 1 cent from a year ago. Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for April 2010 totaled 8.80 million pounds, up 3 percent from the amount imported in April 2009. Imports were from Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 1.22 million pounds, which were from Canada, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Fresh, boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 39.5 thousand pounds, with all going to Canada. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for April 2010 totaled 28.8 thousand pounds, going to the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, and the Netherlands Antilles. Import and export data are compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Farm-Raised Catfish: Quantity Processed and Prices Received by Producers, by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Round Weight Processed :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative : Price per Pound 1/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : : :Change : : :Pct of : : :Pct of : : : from Month: 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent ------ Dollars ------ : Jan :36,406 40,042 110 36,406 40,042 110 0.810 0.764 -0.046 Feb :37,702 40,977 109 74,108 81,019 109 0.770 0.765 -0.005 Mar :44,912 46,650 104 119,020 127,669 107 0.773 0.785 0.012 Apr 2/:40,768 37,111 91 159,788 164,780 103 0.763 0.804 0.041 May :39,925 38,244 96 199,713 203,024 102 0.762 0.796 0.034 Jun :39,370 239,083 0.763 Jul :40,966 280,049 0.771 Aug :39,490 319,539 0.769 Sep :36,408 355,947 0.772 Oct :40,191 396,138 0.768 Nov :36,211 432,349 0.765 Dec :33,751 466,100 0.763 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Quantity processed by major processors and the prices received for fish delivered to the processing plant's door. Price includes charges for any services provided by the processing plant, such as seining and hauling, but does not include adjustments based on year-end settlements. 2/ Revised 2010 data only. Catfish Processors: Sales Volume and Average Price by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sales : Average : Volume : Price 2/ Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------- : May : Apr : May : May : Apr : May : 2009 : 2010 3/ : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 3/ : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Pounds ------ --- Dollars per Pound -- : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,018 1,591 1,434 1.16 1.13 1.07 Whole Dressed : 1,533 1,455 1,410 2.01 1.94 1.97 Total : 2,551 3,046 2,844 1.70 1.55 1.55 : Other : Steaks : 82 96 91 2.45 3.03 2.42 Nuggets : 576 511 544 1.36 1.38 1.38 Other : 93 61 78 2.33 3.45 3.64 Total : 751 668 713 1.60 1.81 1.76 : Fillets : 3,864 3,495 3,720 3.23 3.22 3.25 : Total Fresh : 7,166 7,209 7,277 2.51 2.38 2.44 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 681 685 709 2.23 2.24 2.23 : Other : Steaks : 73 60 56 2.27 2.34 2.35 Nuggets : 2,328 2,188 2,743 1.18 1.19 1.08 Other : 777 717 591 3.00 2.84 2.98 Total : 3,178 2,965 3,390 1.65 1.61 1.43 : Fillets : 7,793 7,652 7,766 2.98 2.93 2.99 : Total Frozen : 11,652 11,302 11,865 2.57 2.54 2.50 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,018 1,591 1,434 1.16 1.13 1.07 Whole Dressed : 2,214 2,140 2,119 2.08 2.04 2.06 Total : 3,232 3,731 3,553 1.81 1.68 1.69 : Other : Steaks : 155 156 147 2.37 2.76 2.39 Nuggets : 2,904 2,699 3,287 1.22 1.23 1.13 Other : 870 778 669 2.93 2.89 3.06 Total : 3,929 3,633 4,103 1.64 1.65 1.49 : Fillets : 11,657 11,147 11,486 3.06 3.02 3.07 : Total Fresh & Frozen: 18,818 18,511 19,142 2.55 2.48 2.48 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For further detail, please refer to the terms and definitions section of this report. 2/ Gross value f.o.b. plant. 3/ Revised. Catfish Processors: Ending Inventory by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ending Inventory Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------- : May 2009 : Apr 2010 2/ : May 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 154 153 183 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 61 72 73 Other : * * * Total : 77 79 83 : Fillets : 435 409 402 : Total Fresh : 666 641 668 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 340 943 952 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,153 1,877 1,631 Other : * * * Total : 1,907 2,521 2,296 : Fillets : 7,381 7,752 6,845 : Total Frozen : 9,628 11,216 10,093 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 494 1,096 1,135 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,214 1,949 1,704 Other : * * * Total : 1,984 2,600 2,379 : Fillets : 7,816 8,161 7,247 : Total Fresh & Frozen : 10,294 11,857 10,761 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. 1/ For further detail, please refer to the terms and definitions section of this report. 2/ Revised. Catfish: Imports, by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Imports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ictalurus spp. : Total 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent -- 1,000 Pounds -- Percent : Jan : 2,344 3,091 132 9,819 14,612 149 Feb : 1,225 2,150 176 6,527 10,421 160 Mar : 972 1,179 121 8,942 7,608 85 Apr : 1,364 1,220 89 8,548 8,804 103 May : 1,659 11,592 Jun : 1,088 10,577 Jul : 1,849 10,765 Aug : 1,210 11,711 Sep : 1,385 12,541 Oct : 1,584 13,857 Nov : 2,144 12,783 Dec : 2,527 11,718 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. 2/ Includes freshwater imports for consumption of "Ictalurus" spp., "Pangasius" spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes. Catfish: Exports, by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Exports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Fresh : Frozen :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent : Jan : 87.0 90.4 104 0.0 26.4 Feb : 65.1 58.2 89 0.0 33.8 Mar : 65.1 165.8 255 50.6 16.5 33 Apr : 47.5 39.5 83 12.8 28.8 225 May : 79.1 14.2 Jun : 63.8 21.4 Jul : 68.6 20.5 Aug : 91.8 12.4 Sep : 50.6 17.7 Oct : 138.0 43.4 Nov : 59.1 30.2 Dec : 63.1 56.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Reliability of Catfish Processing Estimates Survey Procedures: Survey data for catfish processing are collected from approximately 18 processors. All participating processors must meet the minimum criteria of having a capacity to process at least 2,000 pounds live weight of catfish per 8-hour shift. The survey is conducted entirely by NASS Headquarters staff in Washington, D.C. However, NASS field offices are responsible for informing Headquarters staff of any new processing operations in their state to ensure complete survey coverage. Processors are contacted either by mail, telephone, fax or internet. Diligent effort is made to ensure that all operations are accounted for in the estimate. Estimation Procedures: The "Catfish Processing" report refers strictly to farm-raised fish and excludes wild capture fish. Prior to summarization, questionnaires are compared with the previous month's reports for comparable placement of data, reasonable price levels, and a reasonable inventory carryover given the sales and processing totals reported. Estimates are made for those processors whose reports are not available in time to be included in the release. These plants are identified by an asterisk on page 6 of this release. Estimates are normally based on the processor's previous report and current conditions. Published totals are a straight summation of the individual reports and estimated data. Price items are weighted by the associated volumes to compute weighted average prices. The published price for total whole fish, however, reflects an adjustment to the round and gutted only price to bring it to an equivalent dressed weight price. If a plant uses a fiscal accounting system, prorating is used to convert reported data to a calendar month basis. Only national level estimates are published due to the limited number of plants involved. One unique feature of the "Catfish Processing" report is the listing of cooperating processors by name on each month's release. This feature originally was used to solicit industry cooperation in maintaining coverage, but it has continued because of the processors' overall acceptance of this policy. Import and export data for catfish, which are compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, are also included in this report. Revision Policy: Revisions may be necessary in the previous month's publication based on late reports received from plants. These revisions are made to improve month to month relationships. In February, all monthly estimates for the previous year are reviewed and subject to revision. This review is primarily based on data that may have been received after the original estimates were published. Reliability: Estimates are based on a census of all known active processors and, therefore, have no sampling variability. However, estimates may be subject to errors such as omissions, duplication, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing of the data. These errors are minimized through strict quality controls in the edit and summarization process, and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. Processing data were compiled in cooperation with the following processors: America's Catch, Inc. Harvest Select Catfish, Inc. Carolina Classics Catfish, LLC Heartland Catfish Consolidated Catfish Producers, LLC Lake's Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. Delta Supreme Fish Processors Pride of the Pond Fish Breeders of Idaho, Inc. Prime Line, Inc. Farm Catch Catfish Processors, Inc. Seabrook Seafood, Inc. Freshwater Farms Products, LLC Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. Guidry Catfish, Inc. South Fresh Farms Harings Pride Catfish Superior Fish Products Terms and Definitions Used for Catfish Processing Estimates: Average Price Paid to Producers - Refers to the price of fish delivered to the processing plant door. Price includes charges for any services provided by the processing plant, such as seining and hauling, but does not include any adjustments based on year-end settlements. Fillets - Boned sides of the fish, cut lengthwise away from the backbone. Includes regular, shank, and strip fillets; excludes any breaded products. Fresh Fish - Fish intended for immediate consumption. Also referred to as ice-packed. Frozen Fish - Fish which are individually quick frozen and glazed (IQF) or individually bagged and bulk frozen. Ictalurus spp. - All species under this genus, which includes channel catfish, blue catfish, and other catfish species. Nuggets - Small fillets cuts from below the rib section of the fish and usually includes weight of breading and added ingredients. Other Products - Includes steaks, nuggets, and all other products not separately reported including the weight of breading and added ingredients. Pangasius spp. - All species under this genus, which includes basa, tra, stuchi catfish, and other catfish species. Round & Gutted Only - Fish with no processing done or viscera only removed. Round Weight - The term for a fish's live weight. Siluriformes - The scientific order which contains all families of catfish. Steaks - Cross-section cuts from larger dressed fish. Strips - Finger size pieces of fish cut from fillets and usually includes breading or added ingredients. Whole Dressed - Weight of whole fish with only head, viscera, and skin removed. Generally, 60 percent of the live weight remains as dressed fish. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch........................................ (202) 720-3570 Bruce Boess, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section................. (202) 720-4447 Doug Bounds - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised........ (202) 690-3237 David Colwell - Cold Storage............................................ (202) 720-8784 Chris Hawthorn - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink.. (202) 720-0585 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs.............................................. (202) 690-8632 Troy Marshall - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey............... (202) 720-3244 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge. For free access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. 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