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THE popularity of frozen fish shows no signs of abating with sales continuing to soar, according to the latest figures.
Data from TNS World Panel for the 52 week ending September 6th disclose that the value of the retail frozen food market is now worth just over £5.1 billion.
But it is the performance of the fish and seafood sector that is impressing observers, with sales over the past three years having grown by more than £140 million. The frozen market as a whole has soared by more than £700 million during the same period.
The British Frozen Food Federation said fish,potato products, vegetables, meat and poultry, and fish have all grown by more than 20 per cent in that period.
Broadly speaking frozen fish is worth around £712 million a year on annual tonnage production of almost 124,000 tons. With such an impressive performance in what everyone agrees is the worst recession since the war, it is little wonder that seafood companies are delighted and are planning to expand.
The two biggest players in the business, Birds Eye and Young's have both launched a innovative range of products during the last few months. The no waste aspect and competitive price of frozen fish is thought to be the two main factors driving up sales.
Director general Brian Young said that while the rate of growth has slowed down a little in the last quarter it is true to say that the frozen food market is now comparing itself against much higher numbers than we had previously.
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