Raw material pricing is $200 per metric tonne more than last year, ranging from $1500 to $1650 for Small to Large H&G Yellowfin Sole.
Chinese processors forecast prices to continue to climb in the New Year, so it's possible that finished goods could strengthen by 10 cents per pound.
Domestically, twice frozen IQF Yellowfin Sole Fillets on the East Coast have held steady over the past year, ranging from $2.30 - $2.35/lb.
In Europe, Fillet pricing is firm at $2.30/lb CNF European Main Port - supply is good at the moment, but demand is reportedly sluggish.
--- On the supply side, the National Marine Fisheries Service exchanged the Total Allowable Catch to decrease the Rock Sole quota and increase the Yellowfin Sole Quota.
Species qutoas for 2016 were 57,000 metric tonnes for Rock sole and 144,000 metric tonnes for Yellowfin Sole.
Rock Sole is targeted from January to March for the Female Rock Soles with Roe, a popular item for Japan.
After the expensive Female Rock Sole with Roe are finished harvesting, boats will target Yellowfin Sole.
The value of these species are the same for fishermen, so the quota exchange will have limited effect on docks prices.
Current pricing on domestic Whole Round 10 - 12 inch IQF Rock Sole from the Gulf of Alaska approached $0.95/lb in Seattle last month.
For single frozen fillets, 3-5oz Shatterpack rock sole from the Gulf of Alaska are $3.00/lb in Seattle as of last week.
