The COVID-19 outbreak in the United Kingdom has resulted in a surge in support for local producers, including fishermen.
Morrison Supermarkets, which has a long-standing relationship with Cornish processor Falfish, led the retail sector in reopening its fish counters and boosting U.K.-caught fish in its stores.
“We are selling 60 percent more British fish now than we do normally. We are also seeing a phenomenal increase in sales of key restaurant-style staples, as more people cook fish at home," Sophie Throup, head of agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable sourcing for Morrisons, in a Fathom podcast for the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO).
Morrisons' sales of Dover sole are up 1,400 percent and monkfish sales are up 83 percent, Throup said.
At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, shoppers started to behave and shop differently – stockpiling essential items – which meant that the supermarket chain had to react quickly to the situation as it developed. The chain closed its fresh fish counters both for practical and health reeasons, Throup said.
“We had to concentrate on helping customers move through the stores as quickly and safely as possible, and closing fresh counters meant we could focus our efforts on keeping shelves stocked. Also, fish counters are about exchanging knowledge and information through personal contact, and this is why they were shut right at the beginning,” she said.
Over the following weeks, Morrisons made many changes to its processes, including putting together "essential boxes" for meat-eaters and vegetarians, while continuing to support British suppliers. The chain then expanded on the idea by creating a “British fish box,” and the news was greeted with enthusiasm by the industry.
Mark Greet, managing director for Falfish, said his company had seen a dramatic reduction in order volumes three weeks into the COVID-19 crisis, as restaurants and export channels closed down. Morrisons’ commitment to seafood helped fill the gap and gave him a channel in which to sell his products.
“[The crisis] made things very difficult for us, and for the local auctions and boats we were buying from. If Morrisons had not made the commitment to start selling fresh fish again in April, we would be in a different place," Greet said. "The supermarket got behind the scallop market for example, which meant that our scallop boats could still go out, and the uplift in sales volumes was a relief."
Falfish Commercial Director Edward Polley said the crisis had resulted in the local fishing industry working better together.
“We learned that communication is key to survival, so we got the producer organizations, auctions, boats, and processors together on weekly calls, to plan how we could all keep going and maintain a constant supply to the market, matching supply with demand,” he said.
According to Fathom podcast host Paul Trebilcock, the chief executive of the CFPO, the shellfish sector is still struggling with the loss of access to much-needed export markets, and this situation is likely to continue for some time. However, he was encouraged by developments on the domestic market, and hopes that a 60 percent increase in sales of British fish is the “new norm.”
Photo courtesy of Eddie Jordan Photos/Shutterstock
