In France, fresh whole salmon is No. 1

Independent restaurants and canteens in France collectively bought 7,809 metric tons of fresh whole salmon last year, more than any other fresh whole fish species, according to new figures from market researcher Gira Foodservice.

According to the Gira study, which claims to cover about 80 percent of all purchases by France’s foodservice sector, whitefish — including cod, hake and whiting — placed second, with 5,252 metric tons in purchases in 2009.

Bass came in third, with 3,508 metric tons in purchases last year, followed by sole (1,895 metric tons), tuna (1,365 metric tons) and trout (2,647 metric tons).

Overall, independent restaurants, as opposed to restaurant chains, remain the largest market for fresh fish in France. Gira figures show independents bought 123,343 metric tons of fresh fish, compared to 29,091 metric tons for restaurant chains.

As for fish fillets, whitefish registered a wisp above salmon, with French restaurants and canteens collectively buying 6,284 metric tons of the former and 6,209 metric tons of the latter.

Sales of fish fillets, species by species, fell far below that of fresh whole fish. Overall, French foodservice buyers purchased 19,619 metric tons of fish fillets, compared to 47,180 metric tons of fresh whole fish.

Mussels weighed in as the biggest seller in the fresh shellfish category last year, with 44,123 metric tons in purchases. Overall, the shellfish category, including scallops and oysters, totaled 54,728 metric tons in purchases.

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