Whole scallops ❘ A good fishing season

Sales data in the fish auctions

Source : FranceAgriMer / VisioMer

2019 is characterised by a significant increase in quantities, but not in the same proportion regarding value, as average prices per kilo have fallen by 5%.

Purchased quantities of whole scallops increased by 6% and those of  scallop meat by almost 17%, informs us the FranceAgrimer’s 2019 consumption report.

The fisheries in Normandy are still talking about that exceptional year. The stocks in the Bay of the Seine River weighed 25,000 tons. At the same time, communication initiatives, such as the second year of the Grande débarque event, are really positive. “We earned 1 euro and exceeded 3 €/kg”, says Dimitri Rogoff, President of the Comité régional des pêches in Normandy and NFM.  A boom which tends to decline after Christmas. “We do not focus enough on promoting scallop shucking, while the Label Rouge is less attractive when quantities are sizeable. We are now awaiting for a PGI.”

In Brittany, Isabelle Letellier (Mer Conseil), is behind the renewed promotion of Label Rouge for frozen scallop meat, notably by the processing companies (Celtarmor, Pêcheries d’Armorique and Granvilmer): “The Label Rouge was dormant due to very small quantities available, but the consumer likes this certification!”. For the moment, and even if the season is not finished, only 9 tons have been certified.

But overall, “the season has been good, while the results of sampling suggest a potential drop, points out Gurvan Rolland, in charge of the Côtes d’Armor fish auctions. Fishing boats recorded yields 15% higher”. The largest stock located in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc allowed 4,400 tons to be sold for a value of 10.3 million euros and at an average price of 2.35 kg.

Dominique GUILLOT

Traduction : Catherine ROUSSEY