December 20, 2007

Pollock Surimi output to fall by 10 percent

Figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization says US output of pollock surimi in domestic annual processing season to date (autumn 2007) remains at 80,771 tonnes, about 20 percent lower than a year ago.

The numbers are clear indication that a sizeable on-year slide production is bent to happen to this year, according to FAO.

Contrary to initial local industry projections to achieve surimi output in the order of 90,000 tonnes during the season, the pace of production slowed down in October due to factors as the northward movement of fishing grounds, stormy weather conditions and lacklustre harvests.

If the 90,000 tonne goal cannot be achieved, production could decline further to 12 to 13 percent, FAO forecasters estimate.

On the assumption that 90,000 tonnes are produced in "B" season, the total production of (early months of the year) and seasons combined would most likely come to slightly below 160,000 tonnes, down by about 10 per cent from 178,000 tonnes in the preceding year.

Industry sources point out, however, that the officially announced DAP pollock production figures may not necessarily match with the actual production volume, so official figures should rather be taken only as one of the indicators.