Frozen Cod Products in the US Market

Abstract

This paper contains an analysis of the United States markets for frozen cod products. On the demand side, consideration is given to the role of each of the specific large firms that dominate the market. How, for instance, did they react to the large increases in cod prices in 1986– 87? How free are they to make product substitutions and what additional costs are incurred when they make such substitutions? On the supply side, the market is dominated by about half-a-dozen companies from three countries. These are listed and their operations are discussed in detail. What market channels, for instance, do they use to sell their products? What is the share of each firm in the blocks and fillets markets? How do the suppliers differentiate among their products? How do they use their market power to differentiate among alternative potential purchasers of their products?