June 24, 2015 — US prices for Atlantic sea scallops are likely to rise throughout the rest of the season, on a lack of available imports as well as potentially smaller landings than had been anticipated.
Terry Molloy, general manager of Chesapeake Bay Packing, backed by two other sources, told Undercurrent News that with landings reasonably good at the mid-June point, this was likely to be the lowest prices the market will see.
“Prices are likely at their lowest now – the only thing likely to affect them now is quality,” said Molloy. “I don’t anticipate any softening in prices from this point; increases are likely, but as for when and by how much, it’s too early to say.”
One of the other sources agreed, adding he expects pricing to increase on a weekly basis for the remainder of the season.
Current pricing, steady for a few weeks now, puts 10/20 count averaging in the low to mid $10 per pound range, U12s at $14, and U10s at $15, said Molloy.
These prices were backed by a second source based, like Molloy’s Chesapeake Bay Packing, in Newport News, Virginia. These prices, to the boat, are typically $0.25 lower than those paid in New Bedford, Massachusetts, said this source.