What's in season? What controls the price? What's great value? Find out more.....
SALMON
There are still good supplies of smaller fish available, with larger fish being a little more scarce. As we move through July and the growth rate increases, we should see a better spread of size availability.
Q3 prices were expected to be lower earlier in the year as Chile came on strong but there are now reports of high mortality rates in Chile and slow growth rates. Money shortages have meant that some fish have been pulled out of the water earlier in order to convert them to cash. All this means that there is not as much fish available and consequently prices will not be as low as previously thought.
During July half the salmon farms in Norway close for holidays so volumes may also be short. Our prices will remain stable through Q3 and there may be cheaper pockets of spot fish in the market that can be
secured. Prices are expected to rise in Q4.
WHITE FISH
The spawning season around Iceland means there is now an 11 mile exclusion zone in place. This means that the day boats cannot get out to fish and the only fish available is trawled fish, the best of which is Norwegian line caught.
With the lack of day boat fish and, at this time of
the year, Norwegian packing plants shutting down due to the holiday season, the feeling is that Haddock prices could remain fairly firm throughout July.
Codlings traditionally become scarce through July. The best supplies are currently coming from Denmark but we should still see supplies from Scotland. No issues expected with larger Cod.
Icelandic Plaice are at their best at the moment and prices should be stable.
Traditionally Monkfish landings increase through the summer months and we should see competitive prices over the next few weeks as the Scottish fleet increase their landings.
RAINBOW TROUT
Our Rainbow Trout is farmed in Wiltshire, in waters filtered down from the Avon’s chalk reservoir on the Salisbury plain. The Trout are reared in gravel ponds where the fish grow slowly and more naturally, giving them the best opportunity to flourish. Our suppliers use the latest modern processing techniques to ensure that you get delicious, great value fish;
always popular on summer menus.
SARDINES
Sardines are a summer favourite and in full season in July from our boats in the South West fishing off St Michaels Mount. We have MSC sardines available from Stefan, the skipper of the ‘White Heather’. Stefan pioneered Cornish sardines back in 1997 and ‘Cornish sardines’
are now a brand name protected under EU law.
SEA BASS & BREAM
Prices continue to rise almost week on week. Due to financial constraints in Turkey and Greece, farmers could not afford to put in large quantities of fry. Also, because they experienced a colder winter than normal, the fish have not grown as well as expected. This has led
to a shortage in bass especially on 600g+ fish. It does not bode well for the summer unfortunately as prices could reach record highs and are unlikely to start falling before September.
SWORDFISH
The Swordfish loin season has started in Chile; prices so far have been higher than normal for the time of year but if Chilean landings are at normal levels we should see a reduction is prices over the coming weeks.
PLAICE AND LEMON SOLE
We have some great offers on Friend of the Sea certified Plaice, we also have Lemon Sole from the North Sea. Prices at present are favourable with North Sea Lemon Soles slightly cheaper than South Cost fish which will also be plentiful during June. There are great deals available on 5-6oz Plaice fillets as well as 8-12oz whole Plaice. The quality of the fish
at this time of year is exceptional.
WILD SEA BASS
Ian Taylor and the crew of the ‘Skin Deeper’ and his second boat ‘Shaman’, land some of the best fish you can buy. His fish is all day-boat landed and delivered direct to our Wimborne branch within hours of being caught; all slush-iced on board and individually tagged for traceability back to the boat. Caught with a fishing rod and line this not
only artisanal, but the most sustainable way to catch great quality fish.
GREY MULLET
We are sourcing our Grey Mullet from open waters, caught by day-boats fishing out of Poole and also through our Welsh supplier in Milford Haven. These stunning under-utilised fish are increasing in popularity and offer fantastic value for money for chefs.
BLACK PEARL SCALLOPS
There are many suppliers and types of USA Roeless Scallops. We have worked closely with Black Pearl for many years, unlike many other brands Black Pearl Scallops are guaranteed to be fresh and not
previously frozen.
NATIVE LOBSTERS
Native Lobsters are at their very best from late June to August. We mainly source along the East coast from Bridlington to Whitby were
some of our Lobsters are pot caught.
Hope that little bit of inside information will help you chef's out there with your menus through out July.
Remember, call us to get the best prices on your fresh fish.
Find your local M&J Seafood branch HERE
All the best
Simon
