Aq 1 (3-08) Catfish Processing National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 20, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Processing" call Fleming Gibson at 202-690-3237, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Catfish Processing Up 8 Percent from Last Year Farm-raised catfish processed during February 2008 totaled 47.6 million pounds round weight, up 8 percent from February 2007. The average price paid to producers was 68.8 cents per pound for February 2008, up 3.0 cents from last month but 15.0 cents below a year ago. Net pounds of processed fish sold during February 2008 totaled 25.0 million pounds, up 9 percent from the comparable month in 2007. The total end of the month inventory decreased 14 percent from last month and was down 37 percent from a year ago. Sales of fresh fish, at 9.32 million pounds, were up 16 percent from February 2007 and represented 37 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 15.7 million pounds, were up 5 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 63 percent of total fish sales. Sales of whole fish represented 18 percent of the total fish sold, fillets accounted for 60 percent, and the remaining 22 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products. The February 2008 average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.23 per pound, down 35 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.50 per pound, down 27 cents from February 2007. Prices for fresh fillets were down 36 cents from a year ago at $2.88 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.31 per pound, down 14 cents from February 2007. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were down 20 cents at $2.07 and frozen fillets at $2.73 per pound were down 35 cents from a year ago. Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for January 2008 totaled 9.67 million pounds, down 20 percent from the amount imported in January 2007. Imports were from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 2.94 million pounds, which were all from China. Fresh boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 135 thousand pounds, with 74.6 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest to Germany and the Netherlands. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for January 2008 totaled 23.1 thousand pounds all going to the Netherlands. 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Round Weight Processed :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative : Price per Pound 1/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : : :Change : : :Pct of : : :Pct of : : : from Month: 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent ------ Dollars ------ : Jan 2/:46,079 45,992 100 46,079 45,992 100 0.837 0.658 -0.179 Feb :44,083 47,610 108 90,162 93,602 104 0.838 0.688 -0.150 Mar :45,477 135,639 0.838 Apr :37,954 173,593 0.841 May :38,867 212,460 0.840 Jun :37,275 249,735 0.817 Jul :39,168 288,903 0.762 Aug :42,626 331,529 0.731 Sep :39,519 371,048 0.697 Oct :45,890 416,938 0.682 Nov :40,307 457,245 0.666 Dec :39,001 496,246 0.650 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 2008 only. Catfish Processors: Sales Volume and Average Price by Month, United States, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sales : Average : Volume : Price 2/ Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------- : Feb : Jan : Feb : Feb : Jan : Feb : 2007 : 2008 3/ : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Pounds ------ --- Dollars per Pound -- : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,399 1,878 1,974 1.31 1.14 1.13 Whole Dressed : 1,425 1,460 1,611 2.14 1.85 1.86 Total : 2,824 3,338 3,585 1.77 1.49 1.50 : Other : Steaks : 87 85 85 2.47 2.25 2.26 Nuggets : 609 742 653 1.38 1.17 1.20 Other : 118 86 81 3.42 3.21 3.18 Total : 814 913 819 1.79 1.46 1.51 : Fillets : 4,405 4,489 4,915 3.24 2.90 2.88 : Total Fresh : 8,043 8,740 9,319 2.58 2.21 2.23 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 863 1,107 963 2.27 2.02 2.07 : Other : Steaks : 68 125 96 2.30 1.68 1.90 Nuggets : 3,777 3,449 3,237 0.97 0.92 0.95 Other : 1,280 1,090 1,191 2.59 2.54 2.59 Total : 5,125 4,664 4,524 1.39 1.32 1.40 : Fillets : 8,912 10,147 10,181 3.08 2.64 2.73 : Total Frozen : 14,900 15,918 15,668 2.45 2.21 2.31 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,399 1,878 1,974 1.31 1.14 1.13 Whole Dressed : 2,288 2,567 2,574 2.19 1.92 1.94 Total : 3,687 4,445 4,548 1.89 1.62 1.62 : Other : Steaks : 155 210 181 2.40 1.91 2.07 Nuggets : 4,386 4,191 3,890 1.03 0.96 0.99 Other : 1,398 1,176 1,272 2.66 2.59 2.63 Total : 5,939 5,577 5,343 1.45 1.34 1.42 : Fillets : 13,317 14,636 15,096 3.13 2.72 2.78 : Total Fresh & Frozen: 22,943 24,658 24,987 2.50 2.21 2.28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ending Inventory Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------- : Feb 2007 : Jan 2008 : Feb 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 209 268 170 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 89 103 46 Other : * * * Total : 96 115 51 : Fillets : 442 519 320 : Total Fresh : 747 902 541 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 1,207 1,043 1,155 : Other : Steaks : 233 * * Nuggets : 1,788 1,137 961 Other : 1,340 * * Total : 3,361 2,021 1,877 : Fillets : 12,172 8,889 7,421 : Total Frozen : 16,740 11,953 10,453 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 1,416 1,311 1,325 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,877 1,240 1,007 Other : * * * Total : 3,457 2,136 1,928 : Fillets : 12,614 9,408 7,741 : Total Fresh & Frozen : 17,487 12,855 10,994 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Imports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ictalurus spp. : Total 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent -- 1,000 Pounds -- Percent : Jan : 4,381 2,944 67 12,056 9,666 80 Feb : 3,030 7,582 Mar : 2,101 6,430 Apr : 1,139 5,097 May : 1,394 5,434 Jun : 388 5,469 Jul : 401 5,718 Aug : 80 8,839 Sep : 607 6,741 Oct : 1,061 7,111 Nov : 1,199 7,248 Dec : 1,678 6,880 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Exports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Fresh : Frozen :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent : Jan : 69.7 134.6 193 0.0 23.1 Feb : 69.1 29.9 Mar : 252.8 14.3 Apr : 73.5 0.0 May : 51.8 5.1 Jun : 69.3 24.3 Jul : 117.2 0.0 Aug : 77.6 0.0 Sep : 99.0 43.2 Oct : 126.3 11.8 Nov : 97.4 0.0 Dec : 92.3 5.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 20 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 Headquarter's staff in Washington, D.C.. However, NASS field offices are responsible for informing Headquarter's 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, Inc. Heartland Catfish Country Select Catfish, LLC Lake's Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. Delta Pride Catfish, Inc. Pride of the Pond Delta Supreme Fish Processors Prime Line Catfish Co. Fish Breeders of Idaho, Inc. Seabrook Seafood, Inc. Farm Catch Catfish Processors, Inc. Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. Freshwater Farms Products, LLC Southern Pride Catfish, LLC Guidry Catfish, Inc. SouthFresh Farms Haring's 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 Darin Jantzi, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section...........(202) 720-3570 David Colwell - Cold Storage.......................................(202) 720-8784 Fleming Gibson - Egg Products, Poultry Slaughter, Catfish Processing, Mink..........................(202) 690-3237 Sharyn Lavender - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey........(202) 720-3244 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs.........................................(202) 690-8632 Toby Paterson - Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised....................(202) 720-0585 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 on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. 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