Aq 1 (9-10) Catfish Processing Washington, D.C. Released September 20, 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 1 Percent from Last Year Farm-raised catfish processed during August 2010 totaled 39.2 million pounds round weight, down 1 percent from August 2009. The average price paid to producers was 79.0 cents per pound for August 2010, up 0.2 cent from last month and 2.1 cents above a year ago. Net pounds of processed fish sold during August 2010 totaled 20.4 million pounds, up 10 percent from the comparable month in 2009. Sales of fresh fish, at 6.84 million pounds, were up 4 percent from August 2009 and represented 34 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 13.5 million pounds, were up 14 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 66 percent of total fish sales. Sales of whole fish represented 17 percent of the total fish sold, fillets accounted for 61 percent, and the remaining 22 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products. The total end of the month inventory decreased 7 percent from last month and was down 11 percent from a year ago. The total fresh and frozen average price for August 2010 was $2.52, down 3 cents from a year ago. The average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.46 per pound, down 4 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.58 per pound, down 11 cents from August 2009. Prices for fresh fillets were up 1 cent from a year ago at $3.22 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.54 per pound, down 3 cents from August 2009. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were up 2 cents at $2.25 and frozen fillets at $2.99 per pound were up 4 cents from a year ago. Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for July 2010 totaled 10.3 million pounds, down 5 percent from the amount imported in July 2009. Imports were from Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 516 thousand pounds, which were from Canada, China, Denmark, Indonesia and Mexico. Fresh, boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 39.5 thousand pounds, with 37.5 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest going to Equatorial Guinea. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for July 2010 totaled 29.7 thousand pounds, going to Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, Egypt, the Netherlands 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 :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 38,656 98 239,083 241,680 101 0.763 0.786 0.023 Jul :40,966 39,302 96 280,049 280,982 100 0.771 0.788 0.017 Aug :39,490 39,231 99 319,539 320,213 100 0.769 0.790 0.021 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. Catfish Processors: Sales Volume and Average Price by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sales : Average : Volume : Price 2/ Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------- : Aug : Jul : Aug : Aug : Jul : Aug : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Pounds ------ --- Dollars per Pound -- : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,006 860 1,260 1.17 1.11 1.12 Whole Dressed : 1,326 1,417 1,322 2.03 1.97 1.95 Total : 2,332 2,277 2,582 1.69 1.67 1.58 : Other : Steaks : 87 100 97 2.41 2.43 2.42 Nuggets : 568 489 496 1.36 1.41 1.37 Other : 54 42 57 3.39 3.69 3.52 Total : 709 631 650 1.64 1.72 1.72 : Fillets : 3,554 3,411 3,606 3.21 3.25 3.22 : Total Fresh : 6,595 6,319 6,838 2.50 2.53 2.46 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 686 672 847 2.23 2.26 2.25 : Other : Steaks : 64 66 59 2.31 2.17 2.27 Nuggets : 2,266 2,302 2,912 1.13 1.12 1.06 Other : 836 617 967 3.12 2.80 3.25 Total : 3,166 2,985 3,938 1.68 1.49 1.62 : Fillets : 8,055 8,030 8,763 2.95 2.96 2.99 : Total Frozen : 11,907 11,687 13,548 2.57 2.54 2.54 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,006 860 1,260 1.17 1.11 1.12 Whole Dressed : 2,012 2,089 2,169 2.10 2.06 2.07 Total : 3,018 2,949 3,429 1.81 1.81 1.74 : Other : Steaks : 151 166 156 2.37 2.33 2.36 Nuggets : 2,834 2,791 3,408 1.18 1.17 1.11 Other : 890 659 1,024 3.14 2.86 3.27 Total : 3,875 3,616 4,588 1.67 1.53 1.63 : Fillets : 11,609 11,441 12,369 3.03 3.05 3.06 : Total Fresh & Frozen: 18,502 18,006 20,386 2.55 2.54 2.52 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ For further detail, please refer to the terms and definitions section of this report. 2/ Gross value f.o.b. plant. Catfish Processors: Ending Inventory by Month, United States, 2009-2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ending Inventory Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------- : Aug 2009 : Jul 2010 : Aug 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 156 156 164 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 73 92 115 Other : * * * Total : 80 96 119 : Fillets : 427 542 504 : Total Fresh : 663 794 787 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 507 873 806 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,659 2,225 1,921 Other : * * * Total : 2,304 3,248 3,235 : Fillets : 8,690 6,747 6,005 : Total Frozen : 11,501 10,868 10,046 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 663 1,029 970 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,732 2,317 2,036 Other : * * * Total : 2,384 3,344 3,354 : Fillets : 9,117 7,289 6,509 : Total Fresh & Frozen : 12,164 11,662 10,833 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. 1/ For further detail, please refer to the terms and definitions section of this report. 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 : 1,659 656 40 11,592 9,971 86 Jun : 1,088 651 60 10,577 10,293 97 Jul : 1,849 516 28 10,765 10,268 95 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 47.3 60 14.2 20.5 144 Jun : 63.8 34.2 54 21.4 14.9 70 Jul : 68.6 39.5 58 20.5 29.7 145 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. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. Follow the instructions on the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6880 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.