Canned pink sales volume was unusually light during May – August 2005, likely the result of higher case prices.
Sales totaled 505,000 48-tall equivalent, down 40 percent from the five-year average of 840,000 cases for the period. Average 48-tall case price during May – August 2005 was $41.32, a 4-year high point.
Other price indicators for canned pinks are positive. Average U.S. retail price rose to $1.52 per tall can in September, the first time in three years it has exceeded $1.50. (Average for CY 2004 was $1.34 per can). USDA made a 91,000-case surplus reduction purchase in September, at an average delivered price of $43.61 per case, the highest-priced USDA purchase since October 2001.
Sales volume of canned sockeye grew moderately in May - August 2005, but case price results were mixed, depending on can size. Total sales volume (all can sizes) was 278,000 48-tall case equivalent, up from the 2003 - 2004 average of 220,000 cases for the same period. Average 48-half case price rose to $59.25, second highest in the last five years. However, 42 percent of the period sales volume was in tall cans, which averaged just $90.06 per 48-count case, second lowest in the last five years.
