A fish price index was employed for the first time in June 2009 by the United Nations鈥� Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Researchers at the University of Stavanger, Norway, have contributed to this pioneering project.

In its quarterly 鈥淔ood Outlook鈥� publication, the FAO issues a summary of price and production developments for important foodstuffs like meat, rice, grain, sugar and milk. The fish price index - called 鈥淔AO Globefish-UiS鈥� price index鈥� - was included in the June issue in 2009 for the first time.

Behind the 鈥淯iS鈥�-part of the name, stands a group of University of Stavanger researchers. The project is headed by professor Frank Asche and former assistant professor Sigbj酶rn Tveter木s, both key players in producing the index.

Tricky index

Fish is a bigger traded commodity on the world market than both meat and grain. But with its large spectrum of different products, it is also a fragmented commodity. Producing a superior index to encompass all varieties has therefore been a challenging task. In spite of these difficulties, FAO鈥檚 has requested a fish price index, similar to those on other foodstuff. Until it is now accepted by the FAO, the job has taken almost four years to complete.

鈥淏earing in mind that there are several hundred varieties of seafood, we have sought to arrive at a representative index, which will be accepted as a standard by all countries,鈥� says professor Frank Asche.

For the time being, this is a trial project connected to UiS, but the index will later be given a neutral name, he adds.

Having the index accepted is a professional recognition of the University of Stavanger鈥檚 research community, Asche thinks. The Food Outlook is distributed to professionals, researchers and politicians worldwide, and is the key information source on global food production and markets.