Seafish, UK authority on seafood, released a new data which revealed that in 2007, the UK exported seafood valued at £982 million and imported £1.9 billion’s worth of seafood products. It is told that UK consumers are becoming more ambitious in other areas. More unusual species such as crab and scallops are mostly exported, as well as more popular varieties including salmon, mackerel and herring. UK consumers are real creatures of habit as in 2007 the UK imported £1.9 billion worth of seafood, with cod, haddock and tuna among the most imported species.
Dr Jon Harman, Development Director at Seafish, explained that when it comes to seafood, there’s a huge divide between the UK and the rest of Europe. He added that the majority of British people stick to their favourites – mild-tasting fish, such as cod and haddock. Seafish says there is a great opportunity for consumers to become increasingly daring with the options on their doorstep.
According to Dr Harman there is an increase in diversity of consumer taste in the future which means that the industry can continue to fish sustainably for a wide variety of seafood. In 2008, Seafish reported that some lesser-known species – such as gurnard, squid and dab – have already seen substantial increases at a retail level.
