Macgregors Seafood Notes

Next week I've got some very good pricing on NZ Snapper Fillets. Skin-on, approx 8-16oz fillets, fresh: $10.95/lb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quantity will be limmited, and once it's gone, price will be back to normal as we cut from whole fish.

Paul

The month of May brings us a whirlwind backlog of new opportunities as many new fisheries open their doors to the season. This year is no different and we are introducing new products as we speak. Here are a few of the most recent ones.

1) Head On Key West Pink Shrimp
Code 81242, 10/15 count per pound, IQF @ $7.50/lb or approx .50/shrimp

2) Mini Shrimp Satays
code 81932 215 x 25 gram, 3 raw shrimp per satay @ $77.76 per case or .36/satay

3) King Crab Star Cut Individual Portion Control
Code 84162 40x 8oz @ $258.95 or $6.50 per portion
excellent add on for steak and king crab feature- portioned and split!

4) Broiler King Crab Claws
Code 83822 7-9 count/lb, 3 lb bag @ $47.85 or approx $1.75/claw
scored and ready to eat- excellent steak topping or appetizer

5) Mozambique Scampi Tails
Code 84522 large 9-12 count 1.5kg box hand laid @ $99.05/box or $2.50/tail

6) Circle Cut Snow Crab Legs
Code 83592 10lb box 6-12ct/lb @ $50/box or approx .50/pc
each leg is circle cut for easy meat access

7) Bacon Wrap Canadian Scallops
Code 81052 30/40 count, 200 per box @ $135.00/box or .68/scallop

8) Arrow Squid- new specie, cleaned and tender!
Code 85062 5-8 inch tube and tentacle $3.95/lb
Code 85012 5-8 inch ring and tentacle 43.95/lb

After a relatively slow week last week we had a huge week-end and we're looking towards a busy week, even as the month-end approaches. There's lots of fish arriving today. From New Zealand: Bluenose Seabass, Live Greenshell Mussels, John Dory, Swordfish, Queen Scallops, and Snappers. From Australia: Tasmanian Ocean Trout and Barramundi. From the US: Red Grouper, Monkfish, Skate, Striped Bass, Scallops, Marlin, Soft-Shell Crabs, Clams and Catfish. From Canada: Salmon, B.C. Halibut, Pickerel, Blue Mussels, and Sablefish. From the EU: Branzino, Durade, and Organic Salmon, farmed Sturgeon Caviar (Germany)
So lots to choose from!

Paul

We're seeing the first of the soft-shell crab season right now. We have "whales" available, which are approx 5-6oz each. These are out of Georgia - the Chesapeake season won't open up until mid May. Minimum order is one dozen. Currently they are $6.95/pcs - price will settle as the season progresses.
Note: Because Soft-Shell crabs are harvested at the very weakest point in their life cycle, we don't put guarantees on mortality. We can tell you when they were harvested and assure you that any mortality would have happened very recently and is no need for concern.

Paul

We got cleaned out pretty well last week for Easter, but we're back in business today. The Swordfish this week is premium Sword from New Zealand - night&day different from the Chilean. Lots of Grouper, John Dory, Kiwi Mussels, Euro Bass & Bream, Tas Trout, Barramundi Fillets, Halibut, NZ Snappers, Monk, Char, Striped Bass, Tuna etc.

Looks like May will see the beginning of the Coromandel Oyster Season - a beautiful Pacific Oyster, medium size, clean and uniform with striking purplish shell. 120pcs box is $99. I'll let you know as soon as they're available.

Paul

Lots of John Dory available for this week. Of all the Dory species, the John Dory (Zeus Faber) is the most prized, but only a small volume of this excellent and expensive fish ever make it to North America. John Dory is native to New Zealand and is characterized by a distinctive black spot on it's body, offset by the shiny gold/silvery skin. The spot got the fish the nickname St. Peter's fish; rumored to be the thumbprint of St. Peter. The flesh cooks up bright white, and is easily suitable for the whitest of white table-cloth restaurants. Whole fish are 2-5lbs ($8.50/lb), fillets around 5-7 ounces($17.95/lb).
Certainly not the cheapest fish around, but absolutely one of the best.

Paul

Easter week is upon us, tonnes of fish moving around. So far this comming week is looking great. On Monday we'll have NZ Swordfish, John Dory, NZ Queen Scallops Roe-On (Big Hit!), Kiwi Mussels, Barramundi, Tas Trout, NZ Snappers, Bluenose, Pickerel, Monkfish, Skate, Striped Bass, Euro Bass, you name it - we've got it.

Mahi is out of season now. It's not to say it's unavailable, just pricey. Prices now double what they were around Christmas. Basically, when the currents change as winter comes in South America, the Mahi go further out to sea and are not accessible to day-boats. So if you want some let me know in advance, otherwise I don't bring it in as people shy away from it this time of year.

Paul

Overall 2005 Salmon fillet pricing was at the highest levels the market has ever seen. This applies to both the Canadian and Chilean Markets. A couple of Observations...

In 2005, the Canadian Fillet price averaged $0.15 higher than the highest ever quoted prices, which were 2003.

The average price for 2-3lb Chilean Fillets was $0.50 higher than in 2004.

In June of 2005, the Chilean Salmon Fillet price was $0.35 higher than the 5 year average.

This trend has continued right on into 2006. The Chilean Market is unable to support the huge worldwide demand with current production, plus several major producers lost quite a lot of inventory due to disease and freeze. This has put tremendous pressure on Canadian and European producers resulting in a worldwide increase in the market prices. Early on, it looks like 2006 will set new records for Salmon pricing.

Paul

Unfortunately our NZ/Australian fish was bumped off it's flight again - held up in LA. This is pretty unusual and we're definetely sorting out the issues, simply put, finding another airline to work with. So at this point we'll be recieving our product Wednesday a.m.

Also, not much luck with Swordfish landings this week and we might not see any until next week. I'll keep you posted.

A rough week to start to say the least, however things can only go up from here.

Paul

Air-freight fun...My air shipment from New Zealand/Australia was bumped and will arrived tonight in Toronto, so all of those species will be available on Tuesday (Barramundi, Tas Trout, Mussels, John Dory, Bluenose, Trevally).

Swordfish will arrive Thursday this week from New Zealand, so we'll have none until then.

Today I've got Grouper, Striped Bass, Skate, Monkfish, Arctic Char, Pickerel, Florida Stone Crab Claws to name a few. Tomorrow the Wolffish and Fresh Dover Sole are arriving.

Paul