Overview of the week in Newlyn.
Significant Landings
Mediterranean Octopus (Pot Caught): This was the most consistent high-volume species from March 9th to 12th, peaking on the 11th with 8,581 kg, representing over 80% of that day's total market volume.
MSC Hake: A massive influx occurred on March 13th, with 12,704 kg landed. This single-species landing was the largest volume event of the five-day period and significantly lowered the overall market average price for that day.
Dover Sole & Cuttlefish: These species maintained steady secondary volumes throughout the week, typically ranging between 500kg and 2,300kg.
Price Extremes
High Prices: Turbot (specifically Size 2, 4-6kg) consistently fetched the highest prices, reaching a peak of £45.17/kg on March 11th. Lobsters also saw high demand, ranging between £28.00 and £37.00/kg.
Low Prices: Industrial and smaller fish like Red Bream (Size 5), Haddock (Size 5), and Pout Whiting frequently sold at the bottom of the market, with prices as low as £0.11 to £0.18/kg.
Trends
Supply vs. Demand: There was a clear inverse relationship between volume and price. On March 12th, when landings were at their lowest (5.8 tons), the average price reached a weekly high of £8.16/kg. Conversely, when the Hake "glut" arrived on the 13th, the market average dropped to £4.65/kg.
Species Volatility: Turbot showed significant price volatility, dropping from nearly £39/kg on the 11th to roughly £17.75/kg by the 13th. In contrast, Dover Sole remained highly resilient, with prices staying within the £15.80 – £18.30/kg range regardless of volume fluctuations.
The five-day period was characterised by a mid-week slump in volume followed by a significant surge on Friday. The first half of the week was dominated by Mediterranean Octopus, which provided stable weight but moderate value. The supply tightening on Thursday (March 12th) drove prices for premium whitefish to their weekly peak. The week ended with a "high-volume, lower-value" Friday, driven predominantly by a large landing of MSC Hake, which provided nearly 70% of that day's total weight but pushed the daily average price to its lowest point (£4.65/kg). Premium species like Turbot, Lobster, and Dover Sole remained the primary value drivers for the auction throughout the period.