Russia may try to stabilize rising fish, seafood and other food costs with price freeze The Russian government is considering enacting a price freeze on “socially important” goods as recent economic sanctions and the country’s widespread ban on food imports have contributed to ongoing inflation for fish, seafood and other food items. Russia’s Trade Minister did not specify which goods would be included in a list of 40 essential products that the government would artificially stabilize if their prices jumped 30 percent. Inflation was expected to subside for Russian foodstuffs in August and September. Instead since the recent import ban, overall food prices have increased considerably. Fish and seafood prices, for example, are up 14 percent since the ban was enacted over the summer. Virginia’s sea scallop harvest is quietly still the state’s most valuable fishery despite a notable drop off in landings over the last few years. The state’s 2013 sea scallop harvest topped $32 million, way ahead of its blue crab fishery. Still, those totals are a far cry from the fishery’s 2011 totals that saw values reach $80 million. Scottish salmon production reached a ten-year high in 2013 as farmers managed to exceed their year-over-year output for the fifth straight year. The higher production figures were complimented with even more favorable prices. The total harvest value was up 26 percent from 2012 levels, worth over US$850 million. Finally the 22 Newfoundland fishermen who have been accused of dumping about $85,000 worth of crab in Hickman’s Harbor last year will not go to trial. Instead, the defendants will be sentenced during two dispositions that will take place today and November 20. The crab was dumped at Golden Shell’s plant during a 2013 protest where 200 fishermen picketed for higher prices. -SeafoodNews
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 04:47:54 +0000