Aq 1 (1-09) Catfish Processing National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released January 21, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Catfish Processing" call Bruce Boess at (202) 720-4447, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Catfish Processing Down 16 Percent from Last Year Farm-raised catfish processed during December 2008 totaled 32.6 million pounds round weight, down 16 percent from December 2007. The average price paid to producers was 82.1 cents per pound for December 2008, down 0.1 cent from last month but 17.1 cents above a year ago. Net pounds of processed fish sold during December 2008 totaled 15.9 million pounds, down 14 percent from the comparable month in 2007. The total end of the month inventory increased 2 percent from last month and was up 3 percent from a year ago. Sales of fresh fish, at 6.16 million pounds, were down 5 percent from December 2007 and represented 39 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 9.76 million pounds, were down 19 percent from a year ago and accounted for the remaining 61 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 December 2008 average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.47 per pound, up 20 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.64 per pound, up 8 cents from December 2007. Prices for fresh fillets were up 40 cents from a year ago at $3.31 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.63 per pound, up 37 cents from December 2007. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were up 19 cents at $2.21 and frozen fillets at $3.07 per pound were up 32 cents from a year ago. Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for November 2008 totaled 6.20 million pounds, down 14 percent from the amount imported in November 2007. Imports were from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 1.37 million pounds, which were from China and Mexico. Fresh boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 123 thousand pounds, with 43.8 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest going to Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kindom. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for November 2008 totaled 1.20 thousand pounds all going to Singapore. 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 :46,079 45,992 100 46,079 45,992 100 0.837 0.658 -0.179 Feb :44,083 47,634 108 90,162 93,626 104 0.838 0.688 -0.150 Mar :45,477 47,908 105 135,639 141,534 104 0.838 0.743 -0.095 Apr :37,954 46,481 122 173,593 188,015 108 0.841 0.753 -0.088 May :38,867 45,669 118 212,460 233,684 110 0.840 0.774 -0.066 Jun :37,275 43,804 118 249,735 277,488 111 0.817 0.794 -0.023 Jul :39,168 42,578 109 288,903 320,066 111 0.762 0.818 0.056 Aug :42,626 41,274 97 331,529 361,340 109 0.731 0.827 0.096 Sep :39,519 39,405 100 371,048 400,745 108 0.697 0.827 0.130 Oct :45,890 42,179 92 416,938 442,924 106 0.682 0.825 0.143 Nov :40,307 37,141 92 457,245 480,065 105 0.666 0.822 0.156 Dec :39,001 32,616 84 496,246 512,681 103 0.650 0.821 0.171 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sales : Average : Volume : Price 2/ Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------- : Dec : Nov : Dec : Dec : Nov : Dec : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Pounds ------ --- Dollars per Pound -- : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,217 932 1,158 1.18 1.15 1.11 Whole Dressed : 1,215 1,415 1,359 1.86 2.01 2.03 Total : 2,432 2,347 2,517 1.56 1.70 1.64 : Other : Steaks : 75 71 71 2.25 2.47 2.46 Nuggets : 501 567 471 1.21 1.34 1.38 Other : 57 78 26 3.31 3.45 3.76 Total : 633 716 568 1.52 1.68 1.62 : Fillets : 3,417 3,086 3,075 2.91 3.31 3.31 : Total Fresh : 6,482 6,149 6,160 2.27 2.50 2.47 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 764 605 576 2.02 2.28 2.21 : Other : Steaks : 55 44 56 2.17 2.38 2.29 Nuggets : 2,728 2,249 1,983 0.89 1.16 1.17 Other : 842 747 670 2.47 3.02 3.03 Total : 3,625 3,040 2,709 1.28 1.63 1.65 : Fillets : 7,703 6,948 6,472 2.75 3.07 3.07 : Total Frozen : 12,092 10,593 9,757 2.26 2.61 2.63 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 1,217 932 1,158 1.18 1.15 1.11 Whole Dressed : 1,979 2,020 1,935 1.92 2.09 2.08 Total : 3,196 2,952 3,093 1.67 1.82 1.75 : Other : Steaks : 130 115 127 2.22 2.44 2.39 Nuggets : 3,229 2,816 2,454 0.94 1.20 1.21 Other : 899 825 696 2.52 3.06 3.06 Total : 4,258 3,756 3,277 1.31 1.64 1.65 : Fillets : 11,120 10,034 9,547 2.80 3.14 3.15 : Total Fresh & Frozen: 18,574 16,742 15,917 2.26 2.57 2.57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ending Inventory Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------- : Dec 2007 : Nov 2008 : Dec 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 106 131 149 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 56 76 61 Other : * * * Total : 59 81 66 : Fillets : 278 709 311 : Total Fresh : 443 921 526 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 888 706 668 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,718 1,462 1,685 Other : * * * Total : 2,591 2,587 2,997 : Fillets : 11,142 10,977 11,329 : Total Frozen : 14,621 14,270 14,994 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 994 837 817 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,774 1,538 1,746 Other : * * * Total : 2,650 2,668 3,063 : Fillets : 11,420 11,686 11,640 : Total Fresh & Frozen : 15,064 15,191 15,520 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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 2,575 85 7,582 9,603 127 Mar : 2,101 2,040 97 6,430 7,884 123 Apr : 1,139 3,040 267 5,097 10,492 206 May : 1,394 2,864 205 5,434 10,151 187 Jun : 388 1,758 453 5,469 11,299 207 Jul : 401 1,202 300 5,718 8,674 152 Aug : 80 1,315 1,644 8,839 6,994 79 Sep : 607 987 163 6,741 6,462 96 Oct : 1,061 579 55 7,111 7,188 101 Nov : 1,199 1,374 115 7,248 6,198 86 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 71.6 104 29.9 0.0 Mar : 252.8 106.3 42 14.3 11.9 83 Apr : 73.5 72.3 98 0.0 1.2 May : 51.8 57.0 110 5.1 0.0 Jun : 69.3 71.0 102 24.3 10.9 45 Jul : 117.2 52.1 44 0.0 14.6 Aug : 77.6 62.9 81 0.0 12.0 Sep : 99.0 62.6 63 43.2 3.5 8 Oct : 126.3 74.6 59 11.8 8.0 68 Nov : 97.4 122.6 126 0.0 1.2 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 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. SouthFresh Farms Haring's Pride Catfish Superior Fish Products * Estimated 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 David Colwell - Cold Storage................................(202) 720-8784 Fleming Gibson - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised............................................(202) 690-3237 Sharyn Lavender - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Honey.....................................................(202) 720-3244 Kim Linonis - Layers, Eggs..................................(202) 690-8632 Bruce Boess - Catfish Processing, Catfish Production, Trout Production, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink......................................................(202) 720-4447 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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