You might be asking yourself, ‘How much does the fish cost?’, and it might be the first thing that pops up in your head when you see the headline. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer, as prices vary from country to country and from shop to shop. In Spain, for example, a kilo of fish will set you back a little under €5 while in France it will cost you €13. In other words, it’s not just a matter of how much the fish costs but how much you’re willing to pay.
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Where Are The Best Places To Get Fish?
With many fish markets closing down due to the pandemic, people are looking for ways to cook and eat seafood as part of their budget-friendly lifestyle. For decades, fish has been relatively cheap and abundant – thanks in large part to overfishing – but that might not be the case in the long-term, especially as seafood-loving consumerism continues to grow in popularity.
In the last few years, the cost of fish has increased in many places due to overfishing and poor water quality. This has opened up a market for more expensive, high-quality fish and the closer proximity of some of the world’s most luxurious seafood brands to our shores. This hasn’t gone unnoticed and the trend of eating well is certainly continuing.
Whether you want to cook a classic fishcake or enjoy a whole fish delivered to your door, it’s possible to get your fill of seafood without breaking the bank.
How To Order Fish Online
While it’s great to be able to get fresh fish delivered to your door, the reality is that many of us won’t be able to cook it for ourselves due to time constraints. This is where ordering fish online comes in. With the rising popularity of online marketplaces such as BlueFinfish, you’re able to get any fresh or frozen fish you want delivered in a matter of hours. Simply browse their extensive catalogue of fish choices and when you find something that looks good, you can order it with the click of a button.
This convenience might not come at a cost, as some of the larger supermarkets and fishmongers also offer online ordering where you can get all your groceries and fish delivered to your home. With many people stuck at home and trying to cook cheap and cheerful meals, online marketplaces for fish have exploded in popularity.
The Economics Of Fish
It’s widely accepted that the cost of living will continue to rise in the coming years, which is going to impact massively on the amount of money many of us are able to spend on groceries. While it’s great to be able to get your fish delivered just because you can’t get to a shop to cook it, the cost of doing so might not be worth it.
According to data from The New Economics of Food Consumption, a publication of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London, the average household spends a massive £154/€169/US$200 per week on food, with fresh fruit and vegetables costing more than £40 and meat and fish cheaper than before. As a result of the pandemic and the subsequent rise in food prices, many families are struggling to make ends meet and the burden of feeding a family is certainly no longer a choice for many.
Seafood Consumption
Seafood-lovers are certainly going to be taking advantage of the cheaper and more available fish in the coming months, with the NFU (National Farmers’ Union) reporting a 41% increase in demand for seafood in the last year alone.
Not only does seafood offer a healthy alternative to many people who would normally opt for chicken or beef, but its popularity among consumers is also growing. According to market research, 38% of people are more likely to buy seafood when it’s on offer, compared to 26% who are more likely to opt for chicken or beef.
What Does The Future Of Fish Consumption Look Like?
Even before the pandemic, the future of fish consumption wasn’t looking bright. According to the NGO (Non Governmental Organization) Oceana, the global fish population has been declining since the 1950s and today only around 10% of the world’s fish are left. This is largely due to overfishing combined with climate change, as well as pollution. Much of our commercial fishing is now done in ways that are detrimental to the environment, with many fish farms using antibiotics to keep their animals healthy and productive.
With the world’s oceans continuing to be exploited, it’s hard to predict what the future of fish consumption looks like, especially now that the majority of us are spending more time at home than ever before. What we do know is that the demand for seafood is continuing to grow and expensive fish is becoming a rare commodity. As a result, the future of fish looks unpredictable, with the cost of a single fish rising in some places and others seeing a decline in the popularity of fish-based meals.