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THE threat of a potentially damaging strike by Norwergian fish processing workers has been lifted. A prolonged stoppage would have affected salmon and white fish production, raising the possibility of a sharp rise in fish prices. However, a settlement between employers and unions was reached at the weekend. But currency fluctuations and strong demand are managing to keep prices high in the UK, both at coastal markets and in the retail sector.
With only moderate supplies of cod and haddock, prices on the Grimsby Market were again very high this week. The general trend on cod and haddock in particular seems to be upwards.
In its long term forecast for June (mainly for frozen fish) leading UK fish supplier M&J Seafoods says that increased cod quotas from the Baltic, Norway and Russia have helped, but this advantage is being offset by higher shipping costs to China where much frozen fish is processed. This development, combined with a weak pound could mean price increases in a couple of months time.
M&J says it has been another difficult period for haddock, adding that the outlook is not too good even though haddock has been cheaper than cod. But now the two species were on parity when it came to price. "Quotas were increased in Norway and Russia, but decreased in Iceland," says the report. "The fishing hasn't been great and due to the weak currency a lot has been sold to the USA."
The company doesn't expect any increase in frozen salmon prices from the Pacific region at least until the end of the year. But there were some price concerns with sea bass and both warm water and cold water prawns, although the situation is yet far from clear.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
