U.S. farm-raised catfish acreage decreased by 4% from 23,525 hectares in 2022 to 22,604 hectares in 2023. U.S. acreage has decreased by 72% since its high of 79,600 hectares in 2002. The primary factors associated with this decrease are high feed costs, low fish prices, market disruptions, and increased competition from cheaper imports.
American catfish producers continue to improve production efficiencies (Figure 1). As recently as 2012, gross yield was only 5,333 kg/ha. Producers were yielding 7,693 kg/ha in 2022. The primary technologies leading to these increases are hybrid catfish (channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus females X blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus males), improved production systems like intensively-aerated small ponds and split-ponds, and improved fish health treatments such as vaccines and rapid diagnostic tools.
Feed prices continue to remain high. The average price for 32% floating catfish feed for the first 8 months of 2023 was $621 per metric ton. This is up from $595 for the same period in 2022.
During the first 10 months of 2023, the U.S. imported 185,667 mt of processed Siluriformes products. This import level is 29% lower than the same period in 2022.