US pollock fillet exports jump, surimi sales flat

In July 2024, the US saw a notable increase in the export of pollock fillets, with a 50% rise in value and a 64% rise in volume year-on-year, reaching 19,039 tonnes and $69.28 million respectively. The average price per tonne was $3,639, showing a decrease from the previous year but an increase in the last few months. The Netherlands is the primary trading partner for US frozen pollock fillets.

However, the sales of pollock surimi experienced little to no growth, with a 1% increase in both value and volume year-on-year, reaching $54.89 million and 21,848 tonnes respectively. The average export price was $2,494 per tonne, remaining the same year-on-year but decreasing compared to the previous month.

The improvement in US-China relations and trade barriers imposed by the EU on Russian and Chinese producers are contributing to the US's growth in the market. Despite a decline in surimi exports to South Korea, there was a slight increase in exports to Japan, and the US also increased surimi exports to other countries, likely due to restrictions on the sale of Russian surimi in Europe.