Salmon Market Prices by Type in 2024: What to Expect When Buying

When you go out to the restaurant or at the grocery store, you’ll see that salmon sometimes costs more than other fish. That’s because salmon is some of the best fish out there. Of course, other reasons are the short supply of salmon and the process of farming, handling, and ensuring that it stays fresh. All of these reasons mean that the prices can fluctuate throughout the year. Let’s take a look at salmon market prices by type in 2024. We’ll give you the lowdown on what to expect when buying salmon.

King

The king or Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is a Pacific type of salmon that is large and can be quite valuable. The king salmon is found in the Pacific Ocean, usually from Alaska to California. It is also found in northern Japan, as well as northeast Siberia. The king salmon is quite popular. It is one of the few fish out there that has omega-3 fatty acids and is extremely nutritious. 

Because the king salmon is one of the rarest salmon out there, it is generally more expensive than other types. The price per pound can range from $35 up to $70 per pound. This is especially true if caught in the Columbia River in the Northwest United States or the Copper River in Alaska.

Sockeye

The sockeye or red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is found in the Pacific Ocean, as well as the rivers that lead to the Pacific Ocean. They can grow to be quite large, almost 3 feet long,  and their color is usually red, hence the name. They can grow up to 15 pounds, but they are still smaller than the king salmon.

In terms of pricing, sockeye salmon is less expensive than king salmon. It will come to about $15 to $30 per pound. Like king salmon, if sockeye salmon comes from the Columbia or Copper Rivers, the price tag goes up to $45 per pound.

Atlantic Salmon

Found in the northern Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) usually hatch in streams or rivers and then move out to seas and oceans as adults. The Atlantic salmon is commonly considered one of the healthier types of salmon. It is also one of the most popular types. In terms of pricing, Atlantic salmon is one of the least expensive types. it usually averages to about $10 to $15 per pound.

Coho

The Coho or silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is found in the Pacific Ocean. They can range from being found in Japan and Russia to Alaska and even south to California. Interestingly enough, there were several coho salmon found in Denmark and Norway. Coho salmon can grow up to 28 inches and weigh up to 11 pounds. In terms of pricing, coho salmon can cost in the vicinity of $10 to $20 per pound.

Steelhead

Steelhead salmon (Oncorhynchus mykiss) can also be called steelhead trout. It is a freshwater type of salmon that then migrates to the ocean, mainly the Pacific when they reach adulthood. On average, they grow up to 8 pounds but can be up to a whopping 55 pounds. In terms of pricing, the market states that steelhead salmon costs half of what king salmon costs.

Pink

Found in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) can range from northern California and north to Canada. It could also be found in Japan, Siberia, and Korea. Interestingly enough, the pink salmon can also be found in the White and Barents Seas, as well as Norway, Sweden, and Great Britain. The pink salmon can grow up to 5 pounds, on average. In terms of pricing, pink salmon can range from $10 to $20 per pound.

Chum

Chum salmon or dog salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) is a Pacific type of salmon found in the rivers of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The chum salmon can go by various names. Those include white salmon or autumn salmon in Japan, as well as silverbrite salmon in North America. Chum salmon can grow up to 23 inches long and up to 22 pounds. In terms of pricing, chum salmon costs in the vicinity of $15 per pound, but wholesale chum can be as low as 20 cents per pound.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the salmon market prices by type in 2024. When you go to a restaurant, and you see a salmon dish, be prepared to pay a little extra than other types of fish on the menu. Also, if you want to eat salmon one night and go to the grocery store, know that salmon will be a little more expensive, but hopefully, this article ensures that you know what the salmon market prices are for 2024.