SIC 5146
FISH AND SEAFOODS



Establishments classified in this industry are engaged in the wholesale distribution of fresh, cured, or frozen (but not canned or packaged frozen) fish and seafood products.

Establishments engaged in the preparation of fresh or frozen fish and other seafood, and the shucking and packing of fresh oysters in non sealed containers, are classified in SIC 2092: Prepared Fresh or Frozen Fish and Seafoods. Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of canned seafood are classified in SIC 5149: Groceries and Related Products, Not Elsewhere Classified, and those distributing packaged frozen foods are classified in SIC 5142: Packaged Frozen Foods.

NAICS Code(s)

422460 (Fish and Seafood Wholesalers)

Industry Snapshot

In 2001 there were 2,980 wholesale plants in this industry, down slightly from the 2,992 plants operating in 2000. Employment stood at 28,405. California, Louisiana, New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Florida had the highest number of operations, with 2,275 establishments employing 22,199 in 2003. Per capita U.S. consumption stood at 15.6 pounds per person in 2002. Of the 15.6 pounds that were consumed fresh, frozen, or

SIC 5146 Fish and Seafoods

shellfish represented 11.0 pounds. The total for cured products stood at 0.3 pounds. That same year, frozen fishery products in cold storage stood at a high of 379,464 thousand pounds in January, reaching a low of 311,485 pounds in June.

According to statistics compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), consumers spent some $55.1 billion for fishery products in 2002. Food service establishments accounted for $38.4 billion; retail sales for individual consumption was $16.4 billion; and $283.1 million was spent for the manufacturing of fish products. This in turn contributed $28.4 billion towards the U.S. Gross National Product. The U.S. Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, reported that the U.S. was the world's third largest consumer of fishery products. By the end of 2004, according to the Food Institute, fish consumption was expected to increase two to three percent. This projected forecast is the direct result of the mandatory country of origin labeling rules.

One of the major issues facing seafood distributors during the 1990's was product safety. Some consumer groups were calling for increased FDA oversight of fish products and advocated the adoption of more stringent safety standards. Another issue was product availability. Climate changes, environmental degradation, and over-fishing of stocks were being blamed for reducing the supplies of some traditional fisheries, particularly in the North Atlantic.

According to statistics compiled by Supermarket Business, supermarkets purchased 66 percent of their seafood from specialty fish and seafood wholesalers. Another nine percent was purchased from other suppliers including grocery wholesalers. Fish sales accounted for 42 percent of supermarket fish and seafood sales. The second largest category was shrimp, representing 33 percent of sales. One of the most popular individual products was salmon.

The leading five species in the United States were pollock, menhaden, salmon, cod, flounders, shrimp, crab, lobsters, and scallops. Polluck ranked first in volume at 3.3 billion pounds, or 37 percent, and menhaden followed in volume at 1.8 billion, or 19 percent. Shrimp ranked first in value at $460.9 million, or 15 percent. Crab was second in value with $397.7 million or 13 percent.

The total exports of fishery products was 2.2 billion pounds in 2001, valued at $3 billion. The U.S. imported four billion pounds of seafood valued at $10.1 billion. The World Trade Organization (WTO), was working with member countries to abolish the current seafood tariffs that have restricted U.S. trade. As of 2003, the United States recorded a $7 billion seafood trade deficit. The final results were not expected until January 1, 2005.

Two of the nation's largest seafood distributors were Fishery Products International USA and Trident Seafoods Corporation. Fishery Products International USA, located in Danvers, Massachusetts, was a subsidiary of Fishery Products International. Fishery Products International, headquartered in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, harvested and marketed products, including shrimp, snow crab, sole, cod, redfish and haddock from the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Scallops were harvested off Nova Scotia's coast. The company generates most of its sales from the service industry sector. FPI recorded sales of $759 million for 2003, up from $720 million reported for 2002. Trident Seafoods Corp., with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, brings in salmon, crab, and various finfish from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Trident is in the process of acquiring NorQuest Seafoods. Trident generated $650 million for 2002.

Other leading distributors include Dulcich, Inc., located in Clackamas, Oregon, and the fourth largest, Red Chamber Co. headquartered in Vernon, California, with sales of $680 million for 2002. There were about 85,000 people that worked in the fishery seafood processing and wholesaling segments in 2001.

Further Reading

Buchanan, Susan. "Americans Ate More Seafood in 2002." United States Department of Commerce, 10 September 2003. Available from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/docs/2002consumption.pdf .

D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions, 2003. Available from http://www.zapdata.com .

Fishery Products International, Company Profile, 2000. Available from http://www.fpil.com/profile/harvesting.htm .

Fishery Products International USA. Annual Report, 2003. Available from http://www.fpil.com .

."Fisheries of the United States, Statistical Highlights, 2002." National Marine Fisheries Service Statistics and Economics Division. Available from http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/fus/current/hilite2002.pdf .

Hoover's Company Profiles, 2004. Available from http://www.hoovers.com .

"The Outlook for Food Prices in 2004: Updated". The Food Institute, 20 February 2004. Available from http://www.foodinstitute.com/outlook.cfm.com .

U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2001. Available from http://www.census.gov/epcd/susb/2001/US421420.HTM .

U.S. Department of Commerce. "Economics Statistics for NOAA, Third edition," April 2004. Available from http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pdf/economics—statistics2004.pdf .

"WTO Works Toward Free Trade in Seafood." National Fisheries Institute, Inc. 20 May 2003. Available from http://www.nfi.org/ .

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