Aq 1 (12-09) Catfish Processing Washington, D.C. Released December 18, 2009, 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 2 Percent from Last Year Farm-raised catfish processed during November 2009 totaled 36.2 million pounds round weight, down 2 percent from November 2008. The average price paid to producers was 76.5 cents per pound for November 2009, down 0.3 cent from last month and 5.8 cents below a year ago. Net pounds of processed fish sold during November 2009 totaled 15.7 million pounds, down 5 percent from the comparable month in 2008. The total end of the month inventory increased 17 percent from last month but was down 6 percent from a year ago. Sales of fresh fish, at 5.96 million pounds, were down 2 percent from November 2008 and represented 38 percent of total sales. Frozen fish sales, at 9.79 million pounds, were down 7 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 61 percent, and the remaining 20 percent were mostly steaks, nuggets, and value added products. The November 2009 average price received by processors for total fresh fish was $2.39 per pound, down 13 cents from last year. Prices for fresh whole fish were $1.57 per pound, down 15 cents from November 2008. Prices for fresh fillets were down 12 cents from a year ago at $3.18 per pound. Total frozen fish averaged $2.58 per pound, down 2 cents from November 2008. Prices for frozen whole dressed fish were down 9 cents at $2.18 and frozen fillets at $2.95 per pound were down 10 cents from a year ago. Freshwater imports for consumption of Ictalurus spp., Pangasius spp., and other catfish of the order Siluriformes for October 2009 totaled 13.9 million pounds, up 93 percent from the amount imported in October 2008. Imports were from Cambodia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam. The Ictalurus spp. imports totaled 1.58 million pounds, which were from Canada, China, Indonesia and Mexico. Fresh, boneless catfish fillet exports totaled 138 thousand pounds, with 45.2 thousand pounds going to Canada and the rest going to the Bahamas, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Turkey. Exports of frozen, boneless catfish fillets reported for October 2009 totaled 43.4 thousand pounds, going to Argentina, the British Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago and Vietnam. 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, 2008-2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Round Weight Processed :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Monthly : Cumulative : Price per Pound 1/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : : :Change : : :Pct of : : :Pct of : : : from Month: 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent ------ Dollars ------ : Jan :45,992 36,406 79 45,992 36,406 79 0.658 0.810 0.152 Feb :47,634 37,702 79 93,626 74,108 79 0.688 0.770 0.082 Mar :47,908 44,912 94 141,534 119,020 84 0.743 0.773 0.030 Apr :45,018 40,768 91 186,552 159,788 86 0.757 0.763 0.006 May :44,326 39,925 90 230,878 199,713 87 0.776 0.762 -0.014 Jun :43,265 39,370 91 274,143 239,083 87 0.794 0.763 -0.031 Jul :42,583 40,966 96 316,726 280,049 88 0.818 0.771 -0.047 Aug :40,985 39,490 96 357,711 319,539 89 0.827 0.769 -0.058 Sep :39,057 36,408 93 396,768 355,947 90 0.827 0.772 -0.055 Oct :43,344 40,191 93 440,112 396,138 90 0.825 0.768 -0.057 Nov :36,869 36,211 98 476,981 432,349 91 0.823 0.765 -0.058 Dec :32,616 509,597 0.821 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2008-2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sales : Average : Volume : Price 2/ Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------- : Nov : Oct : Nov : Nov : Oct : Nov : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Pounds ------ --- Dollars per Pound -- : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 889 1,395 1,132 1.19 1.11 1.09 Whole Dressed : 1,413 1,435 1,220 2.01 1.98 1.95 Total : 2,302 2,830 2,352 1.72 1.59 1.57 : Other : Steaks : 71 85 80 2.47 2.43 2.44 Nuggets : 568 549 487 1.34 1.35 1.36 Other : 78 51 49 3.45 3.39 3.37 Total : 717 685 616 1.68 1.64 1.66 : Fillets : 3,083 3,495 2,989 3.30 3.19 3.18 : Total Fresh : 6,102 7,010 5,957 2.52 2.39 2.39 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 607 783 640 2.27 2.22 2.18 : Other : Steaks : 44 54 45 2.38 2.32 2.33 Nuggets : 2,223 2,882 1,811 1.14 1.10 1.18 Other : 747 762 706 3.02 3.14 3.08 Total : 3,014 3,698 2,562 1.62 1.54 1.72 : Fillets : 6,894 7,989 6,584 3.05 2.92 2.95 : Total Frozen : 10,515 12,470 9,786 2.60 2.47 2.58 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : 889 1,395 1,132 1.19 1.11 1.09 Whole Dressed : 2,020 2,218 1,860 2.09 2.06 2.03 Total : 2,909 3,613 2,992 1.84 1.72 1.70 : Other : Steaks : 115 139 125 2.44 2.39 2.40 Nuggets : 2,791 3,431 2,298 1.18 1.14 1.22 Other : 825 813 755 3.06 3.16 3.10 Total : 3,731 4,383 3,178 1.64 1.55 1.71 : Fillets : 9,977 11,484 9,573 3.13 3.00 3.02 : Total Fresh & Frozen: 16,617 19,480 15,743 2.57 2.44 2.51 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2008-2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ending Inventory Item 1/ :----------------------------------------------------- : Nov 2008 : Oct 2009 : Nov 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds : Fresh Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 131 165 181 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 76 58 47 Other : * * * Total : 81 62 55 : Fillets : 709 445 428 : Total Fresh : 921 672 664 : Frozen Fish : Whole Dressed : 706 483 568 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,462 1,423 2,106 Other : * * * Total : 2,587 2,285 3,137 : Fillets : 10,977 8,820 9,964 : Total Frozen : 14,270 11,588 13,669 : Fresh & Frozen Fish : Whole : Round & Gutted : * * * Whole Dressed : * * * Total : 837 648 749 : Other : Steaks : * * * Nuggets : 1,538 1,481 2,153 Other : * * * Total : 2,668 2,347 3,192 : Fillets : 11,686 9,265 10,392 : Total Fresh & Frozen : 15,191 12,260 14,333 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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, 2008-2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Imports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Ictalurus spp. : Total 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent -- 1,000 Pounds -- Percent : Jan : 2,944 2,344 80 9,666 9,819 102 Feb : 2,575 1,225 48 9,603 6,527 68 Mar : 2,040 972 48 7,884 8,942 113 Apr : 3,040 1,364 45 10,492 8,548 81 May : 2,864 1,659 58 10,151 11,592 114 Jun : 1,758 1,088 62 11,299 10,577 94 Jul : 1,202 1,849 154 8,674 10,765 124 Aug : 1,315 1,210 92 6,994 11,711 167 Sep : 987 1,385 140 6,462 12,541 194 Oct : 579 1,584 274 7,188 13,857 193 Nov : 1,374 6,198 Dec : 2,425 7,817 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 2008-2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Exports 1/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Fresh : Frozen :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Percent : : : Percent : : : of : : : of Month : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Pounds Percent 1,000 Pounds Percent : Jan : 134.6 87.0 65 23.1 0.0 Feb : 71.6 65.1 91 0.0 0.0 Mar : 106.3 65.1 61 11.9 50.6 425 Apr : 72.3 47.5 66 1.2 12.8 1,067 May : 57.0 79.1 139 0.0 14.2 Jun : 71.0 63.8 90 10.9 21.4 196 Jul : 52.1 68.6 132 14.6 20.5 140 Aug : 62.9 91.8 146 12.0 12.4 103 Sep : 62.6 50.6 81 3.5 17.7 506 Oct : 74.6 138.0 185 8.0 43.4 543 Nov : 122.6 1.2 Dec : 74.4 7.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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 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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