Icelandic cod prices to stay strong, despite higher catches

The latest Marko Partners report suggests Icelandic cod catches will surpass the total allowable catch (TAC) allocated for the species by 9.2 percent -- but prices are nevertheless expected to remain strong.

This excess is explained in part by the quota share that Iceland has in the Barents Sea, Jon Stefansson, head of research at Marko Partners, told IntraFish.

In addition, the limited transfer of quota between species -- such as haddock and saithe -- also plays a role, he said.

Although landings from Icelandic waters will very likely not surpass their allowance, those figures together with volumes caught in the Barents Sea are estimated to amount to 260,000 metric tons, instead of the 239,000 metric tons initially allocated.

Icelandic