44 



CCMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW 



Vol. 13, No. 4 



The fresh-processed fishery products subgroup index this February declined 1.9 

 percent as compared to January, but it iias still 3.4 percent hi^er than inFebruary 

 1950. Prices quoted for fresh haddock fillets during the month were considerably 

 lower than in January and 1.7 percent lower than in February a year earlier. Shucked 

 oysters also were quoted at lower prices during the month. Fresh headless shrimp 

 prices rose, but they were still 8.5 percent below February 1950. 



Although cold storage stocks were ample, the February index for processed frozen 

 fish and shellfish increased 3.7 percent over January this year and was 0.4 percent 

 above February 1950. In this subgroup, the increases occurred mainly in frozen ocean 

 perch fillets (holdings of which are below a year earlier) and haddock fillets (in 

 spite of heavy New England landings of haddock and large cold-storage holdings of 

 these fillets). Shrimp prices also rose slightly in February this year. Compared 

 with the corresponding month a year earlier, February prices for frozen haddock fil- 

 lets and frozen shrimp continued substantially lo^rer, urtiile frozen ocean perch (rose- 

 fish) fillets and flounder fillets sold at substantially higher prices. The lack of 

 demand during Lent for fresh and fresh-processed fishery products and the good de- 

 mand reported for frozen-processed fishery products viould seem to indicate a consumer 

 preference for frozen-processed fishery products. 



Canned fishery products prices continued their upward spiral in February. The 

 month's index for this subgroup was 2.1 percent higher than January, and 33*9 per- 

 cent greater than in February 1950. Higher prices were reported during February for 

 each canned product under this subgroup. Compared with February 1950, quotations 

 this February were 69.5 percent higher for jd.nk salmcmj 22,8 percent higher for Cali- 

 fornia sardines; 5.3 percent higher for tuna; bat 13*9 percerrt; lower for Maine sar- 

 dines. 



RETAIL PRICES . FEBRUARY 1951 ? Retail prices of fishery purchases by moderate- 

 income urban families continued their upward trerai from mid-January to mid-February 

 1951 (table 2), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of 

 Labor. However, the increase for all foods was greater than that for fishery prod- 

 ucts. 



Fish and shellfish (fresh, frozen, and canned) retail prices in mid-February 

 were 0.7 percent above mid-Jauiuary averages, or scarcely one-half of the percentage 

 change for all foods. The adjusted fish and shellfish index was 347.8 percent of 

 the 1935-39 average — 16.0 percent above the mid-February 1950 index. TMs increase 

 can be attributed mainly to the higher canned fish prices. 



The mid-February index for fresh and frozen fishery products rose 0.2 percent 

 above the mid-January quotations, and represents a gain of 9.5 percent above mid- 

 February of the previous year. 



