Bangkok and Manta skipjack prices soar as catch falls globally

Skipjack prices for delivery to Bangkok, Thailand, have risen this month as fishing activity in the western Pacific has slowed slightly. In late September, industry sources revealed that prices for skipjack tuna for October delivery had not yet been agreed upon and negotiations were still ongoing, with offers already as high as $1,400 to $1,450 per tonne, a sharp rise from $1,300 or less in September. Some vessels are reportedly reducing their daily catch to around 20-25 tonnes. On October 7, an industry source in Bangkok confirmed that smaller canners are waiting for large companies to make deals and match them . He noted that "the current bids are between $1,350 and $1,400 per tonne", and canners are hoping to push prices down from the offer levels of $1,400 to $1,450. However, another source from the United States confirmed that a large processor bought skipjack tuna shipped to Bangkok at $1,400 per tonne, while smaller and medium-sized processors were forced to accept slightly ...