Canadian Fishy Question?!
Canadian Fishy Question?
Why is the cost of locally farmed tilapia, at least in Québec, double what it costs across the border in New York and New England? After all, it does not cost any more to farm it.
Answers:
I decided to do a little research about this because I was interested and here is what I came up with....
I will assume that you know for certain that the tilapia is farmed locally in Quebec but unknown in the U.S.
Tilapia farming is done across the United States in a variety of places and markets, however they are in high competition with China, Taiwan and Indonesia. This means that regardless of if the fish is locally grown in the U.S. or not the prices will be similar because they are trying to compete.
The demand for Tilapia in the United States is so high that about 90% is imported.
Now if we go to Quebec and look at a market that may not have such a high demand as in the United States, there will be higher prices because the competition is less.
There are a few good links in my sources that may give you some more information if you really want to look at this in depth, otherwise this was about the generally overview of why the prices may be lower in across the border.
Source(s):
http://sec.edgar-online.com/2004/07/29/0...
http://www.landandfarm.com/lf/asp/aquacu...
you have to pay shipping and import tax
korkie