COLLEGE STATION — The shrimping industry is critically suffering this year due to the late winter and the drought of 1996. Consumers should not be surprised if the price of shrimp rises during the coming months, according to the laboratory director of National Marine Fisheries.
“Although the prices aren’t relatively low now, the shortage later on will have an effect on the price of shrimp. The price will increase significantly as the shortage becomes more evident,” Dr. Roger Zimmerman said.
Dr. Dick Edwards, food marketing specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, said that if shrimp is featured in the seafood section of the supermarket in September, it will be because something has to be featured. Still, “The prices will not be consumer friendly. Shoppers won’t see it on sale every week.”
According to Zimmerman, the cooler weather in late spring had a negative effect on the shrimping industry.
“We had a late winter that delayed the recruitment of the small shrimp into the estuaries,” he said.
Coupled with that, the drought created more havoc for shrimpers in the coastal region by once again delaying the onset of the shrimping season as well as decreasing the nursery size of estuaries.
The drought has affected the quality of the estuaries by reducing the size of the nursery area that is suitable for optimal growth and survival of young shrimp. Additionally, the drought has increased the salt content or salinity of the water thus interfering with the natural balances needed for shrimp survival.
While shrimp may not be found at bargain prices in supermarkets in September, items for the Labor Day picnic will be, Edwards said. Leading the sales will be packer-trimmed briskets featured at 99 cents per pound. Consumers should be able to find ground beef for 99 cents to $1.09 per pound as well, he said.
“And, soft drinks are always a loss leader’ during Labor Day.” he added. Loss leaders are those advertised specials used to attract consumers to stores. Picnic items such as chips and charcoal also will be on sale.
On the other hand, Labor Day signals the end of the summer fruit and vegetable season.
“Consumers need to enjoy them while they can. They won’t be on sale as often and prices won’t be cut as deeply,” Edwards said.
Tomatoes, cantaloupes, honeydews and apricots will still line the produce aisles, and the pear and apple crops will be coming in. “Apples will be featured all month long because it’s harvest season,” Edwards said.
Grapes are still in production, but prices will be “all over the map,” Edwards said. In September, shopper should be able to find them from 99 cents to $1.19 per pound, depending on the variety, he said.
Consumers should still be able to find squash and green beans, but these vegetables will not be featured in sale circulars, he said. The potato harvest is in full swing, but these aren’t usually considered a big sale item and consumers won’t see a great shift in prices, he said.
Canned vegetables will go on sale as the commercial canning season gets into full swing and canners clear out excess inventories in warehouses, he said.
The price of beef is expected to rise in the coming months as the cattle cycle adjusts itself after the great sell-off by ranchers this summer. Cattle numbers are low and the retail price of beef will be higher, Edwards said.
“The frugal shopper will have to watch everyone’s sales to get the best bargains. The cuts of meat that are more frequently and predominately will be the lower end of the cuts, such as hamburger.”
-30-
