Market Report

September 10, 2001

 

** Black Tigers **

This market seems to have settled both here and overseas. We feel the market here will slip back a bit before increasing again, particularly with 16/20's. However one should not think it will be any substantial slide as prices are already climbing overseas by $0.40 lb from their low 4-5 weeks ago. We feel that the drop will occur due to general market uncertainty and decent Black Tiger volumes arriving.

Black Tigers represent a great value and will continue to be so but our prediction is that most customers won't take heavy positions until they see a $0.30 - 0.40 lb further increase.

Note: After September / mid-October, production will drop substantially.

 

** Cultivated Whites **

Sizes 41/50 through 91/110 continue to be strong. All of the prices are very near one another and don't represent any great value. We don't see any real quantities arriving here but feel that the upside is limited due to the downward trend of the above mentioned sizes.

26/30, 31/35 & 36/40 - have been strongly affected by large cultivated production from Belize, Mexico, and China. China has really caused these prices to remain depressed. The only positive note is that China production is starting to dwindle with replacement costs increasing. The biggest size affected has been 26/30 and will very shortly representing a tremendous value.

Note: - Even with these price drops and attractive pricing, Black Tigers are still a far better value (16/20, 21/25, 26/30, 31/40)

 

** Large Whites **

Limited availability of U/15, 16/20 and 21/25, however that will change shortly with the arrival of West Coast Mexican shrimp. Product will be arriving around September 17th. We feel U/15 and 16/20 will drop slowly while 21/25 will drop sooner. Mexico will not get many U/8 and U/10, which will be fortunate as U/10 are moving slowly. A moderate amount of U/12 will be packed at fair prices.

 

** Far Eastern Pinks (Burma, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam) **

These products are not that readily available relative to current alternative product. Prices are fair but importers must really push packers, especially those without a global sense of the market.

 

** Freshwater Shrimp **

Still represent unbelievable values.

 

** Ez-Peel & CPTO Black Tigers **

Continue to be great values and replacement prices are increasing daily. Tremendous pressure is put on sizes 26/30, 51/60, 61/70, and to some degree 41/50, as they can be used for rings. This week special attention should be paid to this item. Additionally, we feel many retailers will be selling much more shrimp this year based on price decline.

 

** Warm Water Rock Lobster Tails **

Bahaman RLT are arriving and being sold before they are lotted.

 

** Oman Rock Lobster Tails **

New product will arrive in late November. No price ideas yet.

 

** Slipper Tails **

Great movement with major decline in overseas quantity.

 

** Snow Clusters **

Market finally jumped to new levels as production nearing its end.

 

** Octopus **

Prices are increasing as it is difficult obtaining new quotes.