1997 COMMERCIAL TROUT SUMMARY



    Virginia's 1997 commercial trout production totaled 1.10 million pounds and was valued at $2.22 million for the 12 month period of September 1, 1996 - August 31, 1997. Total pounds produced was down one percent from the previous year while total gross income was up one percent.

    Foodsize trout (trout 12 inches or longer) totaled 991,000 pounds in 1997. This was an increase of 6 percent from the previous year and accounted for 91 percent of Virginia's total production. Foodsize trout averaged $2.03 per pound for a total value of $2.0 million in 1997.

    Virginia is still ranked seventh nationally in total value of trout sales. .

Virginia Trout Sales
1996 - 1997 1/

Type 		Number of Fish Total Pounds Sold Total Value of Sales Average Value/Pound
1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997
-Thousand - -Thousand- -Thousand Dollars- -Dollars-
Foodsize 2/ 965 993 935 991 1,862 2,008 1.99 2.03
Stocker 3/ 233 * 149 * 284 * 1.91 *
Fingerlings 4/ 382 * 14 * 76 * 5.43 *
Total 5/ 1,580 1,299 1,098 1,088 2,222 2,221 2.02 2.04
1/ Based on September 1 through August 31. 2/ Foodsize fish are defined as being 12 inches or longer. 3/ Stockers are defined as being from 6-12 inches in length. 4/ Fingerlings are defined as being from 2-6 inches in length. 5/ Totals may not add due to rounding. * Included with other states to avoid disclosure of individual operations.

Regional and U.S. Trout Egg Sales
1996 - 1997 1/
Region 2/ Number of Eggs Total Value of Sales Average Value/1,000 Eggs
1996 1997 1996 1997 1996 1997
-Thousand- -Thousand Dollars- -Dollars-
North East 562 673 10 14 17.79 20.80
South & Central 425 308 6 6 14.12 19.48
West 450,961 357,217 5,923 5,201 13.13 14.56
U.S. Total 451,948 358,198 5,939 5,221 13.14 14.58
1/ Based on September 1 through August 31. 2/ Regions are defined as follows - North East: PA and NY; South & Central: GA, MI, MO, NC, TN, VA, and WI; West: CA, CO, ID, OR, UT, and WA.

Percent Sold By Outlet Type (Virginia)
September 1, 1996 Through August 31, 1997
Size Live Haulers Fee/Rec. Fishing Other Producers Direct to Consumer Processors Restaurants and Retailers Other
-Percent-
Foodsize --- 42 16 --- 15 22 ---
Stockers --- 46 44 --- --- --- ---

Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service . (800) 772-0670



AQUACULTURE

Saltwater
Production, Price, and Gross Sales, 1995, 1997 and Intentions for 1998
Species Unit Production Price (Dollars) Gross Sales (Dollars) Expected Production Increase for 1998
1995 1997 1995 1997 1995 1997
Clams, Mature 1/ Each 43,710,000 52,426,931 .16 .17 6,993,600 9,012,948 120
Soft-shell Crabs Dozen 417,705 499,651 11.59 14.18 4,840,142 7,083,347 101
Oysters, Mature Each 259,000 308,411 .24 .28 62,160 85,832 107
All Other Species 2/ --- --- --- --- 1,159,000 1,176,176 127
Total Saltwater --- --- --- --- 13,054,902 17,358,303 120
1/ 1995 revised. 2/ Includes scallops and seed/juveniles for all species.

Freshwater 1/

Production, Price, and Gross Sales, 1995, 1997 and Intentions for 1998

Species
Unit 		Production Price (Dollars) Gross Sales (Dollars) Expected Production Increase for 1998
1995 1997 1995 1997 1995 1997
Trout, All 1/ 2/ Lbs. 1,230,580 1,120,389 1.91 2.05 2,350,412 2,301,200 101
Catfish 1/ Lbs. 15,695 19,503 2.10 1.85 33,035 36,173 117
Hybrid Striped Bass Lbs. 11,750 5,128 3.57 3.27 41,986 16,782 692
All Other Species 2/ 3/ --- --- --- --- 2,797,870 2,950,946 215
Total Freshwater --- --- --- --- 5,223,303 5,305,101 164
1/ Immature fish and eggs included in Trout and Catfish categories. 2/ Trout sales reflect a 1997 calendar year instead of September 1 to August 31 period reported on the annual trout survey. Includes operations with less than $1,000 sales. 3/ Includes tilapia, sport fish, ornamental, crayfish, immature fish and eggs, minnows, and aquatic plants.

Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service . (800) 772-0670