Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Trout Sales Increased in 2007

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State Trout Sales Increased in 2007
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/03/2008

Wisconsin's trout producers reported $1.63 million in trout sales during 2007, which is a $52,000 increase over 2006. The boost in value was driven by a price hike for trout over 12 inches long. The sales included 744,000 trout with a total live weight of 476,000 pounds. In addition to sales, 7.25 million trout, valued at $2.95 million, were distributed for restoration or conservation uses.

The number of farms producing trout for sale declined by 10 from 2006 to 38. Operations or facilities distributing the fish for conservation and restoration was up two at 22.

Sales of trout that were at least 12 inches long totaled $1.50 million, an increase in value of 18 percent from 2006. Compared to a year earlier, 150,000 fewer trout were sold in this size category. Live weight of trout sold, at 441,000 pounds, declined 134,000 from 2006. Producers received an average of $3.39 per pound, up $1.19. The value of trout sold in the 6 to 12 inch range, at $98,000, fell $127,000 from 2006. The number of fish sold in the size range, at 94,000, dropped 116,000 from the previous year. The average price was $3.16 per pound, 35 cents below a year earlier.

Sales of 1 to 6 inch trout totaled $32,000, down $51,000 from 2006. There were 160,000 trout sold, less than half of the 2006 number. Total pounds sold, at 4,000, declined by 6000. The price for fish in the 1 to 6 inch category, at $199 per 1,000 fish, dropped by $52. Trout-for-sale producers lost 171,000 trout to various causes during 2007. Predators continued to be the leading cause of loss, accounting for 75 percent of the total loss.

The 6 to 12 inch size was the most common type distributed for conservation or restoration purposes, at 4.17 million trout. The number of 1 to 6 inch trout distributed was 3.06 million, and 15,000 of the 12 inch or longer trout were distributed.

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