Saving Seafood

Fresh seafood sales at US retail increased in September following months of declines

October 21, 2024 — After several months of lagging sales values and volumes, the U.S. retail seafood market finally picked up in September with shelf-stable seafood and frozen shrimp seeing the biggest gains.

According to new data from research firm Circana, analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics, the value of fresh seafood sales grew 0.2 percent to USD 611 million (EUR 562 million); sales by volume in the category rose 0.6 percent. Overall frozen seafood sales value declined 0.3 percent to USD 579 million (EUR 532 million), but volumes increased 2.1 percent.

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Seafood sees continued sales dip at US retail in July, albeit at lower rate

August 13, 2024 — Sales of fresh and frozen seafood across U.S. retailers declined in July despite continued price drops, but the dip was less severe than the months leading up to it.

The price per unit across all food and beverage categories rose 1.5 percent in July compared to July 2023, but prices across seafood categories declined in the month, according to data from market research firm Circana analyzed by 210 Analytics.

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May holidays not enough to boost US seafood retail sales

June 18, 2024 — Average seafood retail prices dropped again in May 2024, continuing a steady decline in recent months. But it was not enough to boost sales, which dropped despite holiday surges from both Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.

Frozen seafood prices dropped 3.6 percent year over year in May, the largest decrease by category across the seafood retail landscape, but sales of frozen seafood by value dipped 4.6 percent to USD 738 million (EUR 687 million), according to Circana data analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based food research firm 210 Analytics.

Fresh seafood prices declined 1.4 percent, and sales by value fell 3.1 percent to USD 820 million (EUR 764 million). However, the shelf-stable and ambient seafood category saw sales increase 2.2 percent to USD 310 million (EUR 289 million), with prices dropping down 2.2 percent.

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April seafood sales at US retail hurt by earlier Easter holiday

May 14, 2024 — Fresh and frozen seafood prices continued to drop at U.S. retail stores in April, but seafood sales as a whole declined across the country, partly due to an earlier Easter holiday that took place 31 March.

Frozen seafood prices declined 4.3 percent to USD 7.29 (EUR 6.75) per pound on average during the month compared to April 2023, according to data from research firm Circana, analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics.

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US retail seafood sales expected to stabilize after rough 2023

January 24, 2024 — U.S. fresh and frozen seafood sales should stabilize this year after an extremely challenging 2023, retail analysts predicted at the opening plenary session of the 2024 National Fisheries Institute-hosted Global Seafood Market Conference in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. on 23 January.

In 2023, overall fresh and frozen seafood sales declined due to several overarching factors, including consumers’ reduced spending power due to inflation, subsequent depleted savings, and student debt payments for some.

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Merry seafood outlook expected for US retailers this holiday season

December 21, 2023 — Consultants and grocers are anticipating higher sales of seafood in U.S. retail stores over the holidays, as research points to many Americans wanting to cook at home more during the year-end break.

“We expect seafood sales to continue their positive trends throughout November and December,” Fresh Thyme Meat and Seafood Sales, Merchandising, Marketing, and Procurement Lead Jason Resner told SeafoodSource. “It might not be [the increase] of 35 percent or more we saw last year, but we still expect double-digit sales comps in fresh seafood such as salmon, as well as crab and shrimp.”

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US retail seafood sales plummeted in August, defying deflationary price trends

September 19, 2023 — U.S. fresh and frozen seafood sales and volume declined more than retail data predicted in August, despite continued deflation.

Fresh seafood sales plunged 7.4 percent in August to USD 595 million (EUR 566 million), while fresh seafood volume decreased 6.6 percent. Frozen seafood sales dropped 7.7 percent to USD 619 million (EUR 579 million), while volume in the category fell 8.1 percent.

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US year-end, holiday retail outlook bleak

September 17, 2023 — The U.S. retail outlook for the fourth quarter of this year is dreary, providing an ominous outlook for seafood sales, according to new data and insight from major U.S. grocery chains and organizations.

Though overall U.S. retail sales are up 4 percent compared to last year – thanks largely to growth in e-commerce and mail-order sales – grocery chains are releasing uninspiring financial reports that have led them to readjust their guidance for the rest of the year.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource