Download ISC PDF

Market Report

<< Go Back to Main Market Reports Page

Print Page

RSS Fee

March 7, 2011

The good news this week is that Farmed Salmon has probably hit a plateau and we do not expect any more increases. The bad news is that prices are at a record high and we do not expect any relief for the next 2-3 weeks. We are hoping to get some Fresh Alaskan Troll Kings in towards the end of the week. We may also have a great deal on 5-6 pound frozen Atlantic Salmon Sides that are due in this week (Look for them in our March Madness Specials in coming weeks if they pass our inspection and taste test).

After rising seafood prices over the last 2 months, prices seem to be at a pause. Unfortunately, crude oil is not so steady. Fuel costs are rising and it is effecting freight on everything; land, sea or air. Fuel surcharges have risen dramatically and now are 35-42% on most freight charges. Until oil goes back to the mid 80’s, these costs will continue to escalate on the products we ship and receive world-wide.


In South America, Mahi prices seem to be stabilizing and even decreasing as supply looks better at least for the short term.


Corvina has also stabilized with good production as well.

Grouper and Snapper, on the other hand, are very expensive. The best choice for Grouper is from US waters from fisheries off the coast of Florida. All Imported Snapper is still hard to get and very expensive.

In the Northeast, the latest storm is sure to drive up prices. We did secure a good inventory of Cod, Monkfish and Haddock as boats came this weekend before the storm hit. Even though it is not from New England the best quality and bargain fish is Day Boat Cod Fillets from Alaska in the low to mid six dollar range. Fillets average 16 ozs, pin bone out and are excellent for any use that you can imagine (See ‘This Week’s Feature’ below).

It looks like there is plenty of Swordfish coming in and we are expecting prices to drop over the next 2 weeks until the next full moon especially as more areas of production like Chile and Hawaii come on line.


Tuna is still scarce and prices are high. Sushi Itsumo Tuna is the best quality and price available in our opinion.


In the mid- Atlantic Wild Striped Bass has fallen tremendously. We have secured a good amount of these beautiful, large 10 pound up, day boat fish and prices are as low as they have been in the last year.

Virginia Fluke Flounder, although up in price slightly, remains a good menu choice with exceptional quality and consistent cost for the next 30-45 days.

This week begins the announcement for the brackets for March Madness. We will be featuring very good buys (The Inland Version of March Madness) for certain proteins and special closeouts for the month of March…stay tuned.

For a great value, we are now carrying fresh Surimi that has never been frozen with a 120 day shelf life. This surimi is produced fresh for us in Motley, Minnesota by one of the world’s best producers. They are located in the US and use only US product and the taste is remarkable for this type of product. *Special pricing for this month at $1.99/lb, case price, contact your Inland Seafood representative for details.

                                     INLAND SEAFOOD VALUE FISH FINDS

We have Baja Redfish in abundance and at a great value.  It is a Redfish cousin from the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Prices are very good and the fish is exceptional, making it a terrific and versatile menu item.

In addition, we are seeing a good run of sustainably caught Spanish Mackerel off of the coast of Florida. Large fillets are running under 6 dollar a pound and pin-boning is available for an additional 50 cents on large fish.

FAS Wolfish is another great bargain to feature right now. At just under 7 dollars a pound, it seems to be taking off. The flavor profile is a cross between Halibut and Haddock. This is true frozen at sea by Norwegian and Icelandic vessels. This is one of the best Frozen at sea fish available.

In the Gulf of Maine, some species, especially Cod and Haddock, are making a rebound. The real unsung hero is Gulf of Maine Pollack. This is a great fish and in the same family as Cod and Haddock. It has slightly darker meat and is more favorable in most chefs’ opinion in the know. We sell this skin-on; perfect for sautés; or skinless. This fish is also large enough for our portion program.


Smaller Lobsters have been dropping in price so look at adding Lobster to your menus this week because we think it will not last. Large Lobsters remain high.


Last week we saw the first of live Louisiana Crawfish and Crawfish tailmeat. With this being a Mardi Gras week, we think prices will be up. After this week, prices should fall.

For Mardi Gras celebration menu items, we suggest Louisiana Oysters in the shell, gallons of Oysters and, reasonably priced, Gulf of Pontchartrain Louisiana Drum. These fish yield a luscious 2-4 pound fillet that are perfect for any recipe that calls for grouper or Redfish (cousin of the Drum).

Inland’s March Madness Special Selections will be announced on Wednesday with prices that are good for one week! But as a teaser…

Montanta Ranch All-Natural Piedmontese Striploins at 8.49/lb or 7.99/lb case price

Whole Springer Mountain Chicken at 15 cents off per pound for the next week

Domestic Colorado Lamb Shanks for 30 cents off per pound for the next week

This Week’s Feature…

             Alaskan Cod
The Alaskan Cod season is in full production now. For the next 3-4 months we should see a lot of day-boat, j-cut, boneless Alaskan cod, from sustainable fisheries, at very reasonable prices.
If you like your fish mild, moist, flaky and lean, you'll love Alaska cod. Harvested in the icy waters of Alaska's Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, this popular and versatile seafood with its snow white color and firm texture is the highest quality cod available.

Concerned about calories, fat and other nutritional issues? Alaska cod is low in fat and calories, high in protein. It also contains all the essential amino acids in addition to important minerals.

*Alaskan cod is a "Best Choice" when caught in the U.S. Pacific Ocean by bottom longline, trap or hook-and-line. The U.S. Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands freezer longline fishery is certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).