Monday, July 17, 2023

Bristol Bay prices take a tumble

Processors have begun posting their prices for Bristol Bay sockeye salmon.

One major company, Peter Pan, provided this statement:

The Peter Pan Seafood price for sockeye is set at $0.50 per pound plus up to $0.30 in quality incentives. Peter Pan is also offering a late season bonus for sockeye. Effective July 18, 2023, there will be a $0.20 per pound late season bonus.

The IntraFish news service reports Trident Seafoods is offering a base price of 50 cents per pound, and another company, North Pacific Seafoods, has matched the price.

A base price of 50 cents represents a tremendous tumble from last year, when Bristol Bay produced a record harvest of more than 60 million sockeye. The average price in 2022 was $1.15 per pound, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says.

All the salmon from last year would appear to have depressed prices this season.

This year's catch currently stands at 33.6 million sockeye.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The BB fishermen have themselves to blame, they went out and caught 33.6 million fish without having a price first. They have zero bargaining power at this point.

Deckboss said...

"A total slap in the face"

Dillingham radio station KDLG talks with frustrated fishermen:

https://www.kdlg.org/show/bristol-bay-fisheries-report/2023-07-17/bristol-bay-fisheries-report-july-17-2023

The interviews begin at about 13:55.

Anonymous said...

Too much fish last year, a lot of it trash that sat for too long. Half the fishermen on FB suggest they reduce quality further (turn off RSW etc) to force a higher price. I love salmon, and my kids love salmon. One bad piece and I avoid it for months.

Anonymous said...

The great thing about low prices is higher profit shares for those fishermen owned processors. When you can’t get it up front, get it out the back door, Juneau style! Vote United Fishermen of Alaska!