Salmon leaps ahead of tuna as Britain's favourite chilled fish
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS Britons have sent salmon leaping to the top of the chilled fish league table, according to a new report.
Salmon leaps ahead of tuna as Britain's favourite chilled fish
For the latest research shows that the fishy favourite has now toppled tuna to take the crown as the biggest seller in the fresh seafood market.
Trade magazine The Grocer reported that while cod has soared in popularity in the frozen fish category, salmon is the winner in the High Street supermarket chilled fish cabinets.
The report says that despite its relatively expensive price point, fish has been the big protein success story of recent years.
"And that has not changed in the past 12 months, with the category stealing further spend from meat and poultry as shoppers splashed out nearly £3billion on fish last year," said the magazine.
Total salmon volumes have overtaking tuna this year to seize the crown of Britain's favourite fish
Salmon is seen by the consumers as the healthiest of fish options
The Grocer said: "While cod might be king of the freezers, salmon reigns almighty - with total salmon volumes overtaking tuna this year to seize the crown of Britain's favourite fish.
"Salmon's strength lies in its dominance of chilled fish sales, where it holds a 35.8per cent share - outselling cod, prawns and haddock combined.
"Salmon's leap is driven by - and indeed helping to drive - growing demand for chilled fish, as health-conscious shoppers switch it for meat and poultry, with sales up another 3.2per cent to £1.7billion last year.
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"Much of this growth is coming from the salmon-dominated natural, added value and smoked sectors, up 3.8per cent, 2.9per cent and 1.0per cent respectively."
Amanda Webb, the sales and marketing director at Icelandic Seashell and the Saucy Fish Co. told The Grocer: "The trend towards 'wellbeing' is definitely a driver in growing consumer appetite for fresh seafood, with fish seen as a natural protein that is less processed.
"Salmon is seen by the consumers as the healthiest of fish options."