M&J Seafoods, one of Britain's leading fish supply companies to the food service sector, presents a mixed picture in its August monthly market report. The good news is that  cod, the mainstay British white fish, looks to be OK because of Iceland's decision to increase the new catch quota by 10,000 tons.

Haddock still remains difficult particularly on the small fillet size. But the bad news for consumers in particular is that prices are increasing by around 10 per cent from September and M&J says it could see customers switching to cod which may help to ease the supply situation. "Where possible, we need to get customers to a large size of fillet," says the company. On other white fish the company says supplies of pollack and hoki seem to be OK.

It may be a long way away from British seafood markets, but the impact of the Gulf oil spill is continuing to have an impact on warm water prawns at home. The market report says the oil leak has resulted in the United States buying heavily from South East Asia to replace the lost volume. Prices have gone up across the board by around 17 per cent and the rise continues.  Failed harvests in Vietnam and Bangladesh have not helped.

On other seafoods, buyers of Pacific salmon are talking of possible price increases of at least 20 per cent because catches are way below quota, with Yellowfin (NOT Bluefin) tuna prices possibly up by 10 per cent in September.