April 23, 2010
US catfish feed deliveries show on-year decrease
US catfish feed deliveries are still down compared to figures from last year, but they have increased significantly from the previous month, according to the USDA.
Total catfish feed delivered in the US during March was 13,580 tonnes, down 32% from March 2009, but up significantly from the previous month. Foodsize catfish feed delivered totalled 12,680 tonnes, down 33% from the corresponding month a year ago. Feed delivered for fingerlings and broodfish totalled 900 tonnes, down 3% from the corresponding month a year ago.
March feed delivered to Mississippi catfish growers for foodsize fish totalled 4,536 tonnes, down 28% from last year. Mississippi accounted for 36% of the total foodsize catfish feed delivered to US farmers.
The other major states with catfish feed deliveries for foodsize fish in March and their comparison to the previous year were Alabama with 3,472 tonnes, down 52%; Arkansas with 1,406 tonnes, down 33%; and Louisiana with 286 tonnes, down 45%.