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As winter approaches, commercial fishers in Australia have a unique opportunity to cater to the changing preferences of consumers this coming Winter. Certain seafood species become highly sought after for their enhanced flavours and affordability, with a price conscious consumer trawling the display of the local wet fish shop looking for the best seafood to star in their curries, broths, pies, chutneys and more. To help you capitalize on these consumer trends, we've compiled a list of the most popular seafood species that consumers will be clamouring for this winter.
As an Australian favourite, King Prawns are a must-have for consumers during the winter months. These prawns, known for their large size, are primarily wild caught from estuaries and the ocean around Australia. Consumers tend to prefer them cooked during cooler weather, making them ideal for cozy dishes. Consumers will be looking to use these in recipes such as warm Steamed Prawn Dumplings or Stir-fried Ginger and Honey Prawns, potentially with a sprinkle of chili flakes to really warm them up.
Although slightly down on the traditional peak season of Christmas, the 2nd highest season for King Prawns at SFM is Winter. And with the reported surge in prawns being spotted across the East Coast, it's an ideal species to be supplying into SFM. Last season suppliers realised an average price range of $20 - $22 per kg across Winter, even with an additional volume surge, prices held strong.
Taylors’ diet of predominately schools of baitfish lends to a high oil content, making it perfect for the at home chef to venture into high-heat cooking methods like grilling or barbecuing this season. Experiment with flavours that complement Tailor, such as tomato, oregano, basil, thyme, fennel, citrus, or balsamic, to create enticing dishes that will satisfy winter cravings.
With an increase in demand, we typically see an uplift in volumes supplied to the auction by close to 25+ tonnes higher across the winter months, making Tailor an ideal species to target this winter.
Different from its Atlantic counterpart, Australian Salmon has its own distinctive qualities that consumers appreciate.
Savvy consumers look to capitalise on the Australian Salmon's versatility by using a variety of cooking styles to take full advantage of the more affordable Australian Salmon. including crumbed fish pieces, fish cakes, barbecuing, smoking, or even sashimi.
We typically see a healthy supply from Tasmania and Southern Victoria in the colder months, with Australian Salmon. The largest contributing factor on the price being the handling and catch techniques. By employing proper handling techniques, such as Ike-Jime, bleeding, and immediate placement into a sea salt ice slurry, you can ensure the best eating experience for your customers, and a better return in your bank account.
Mullet has been a cherished seafood choice along the East coast of Australia for thousands of years. Its generous distribution of omega-3-rich fat contributes to its exceptional flavour.
Due to their wide distribution and schooling nature, Mullet are easily targeted by commercial fishers and offer an affordable option for consumers, especially during the peak of the Autumn/Winter Mullet run.
Some of the country’s best Mullet doyen’s from Wallis Lake Co-Op let a few of the visiting SFM staff in on how they cook a show stopping meal for the family…but I’m not about to give that secret away just yet.
Grey Mackerel, a member of the Tropical Mackerel family, is poised to gain popularity among consumers and is our pick to gain consumers attention this season as they look for a more affordable yet akin substitute to the more common counterparts in the Mackerel family.
This species thrives in the warmer waters of Northern Australia, with significant populations in WA, QLD, and the NT. With its rich oiliness, Grey Mackerel lends itself to a variety of cooking methods. Suggest marinating cutlets and pan-frying them or incorporating large pieces into vibrant curries to entice consumers seeking winter flavours.
As winter approaches, Australian commercial fishers have the opportunity to cater to the shifting consumer preferences in seafood. By targeting trending species like King Prawn, Tailor, Orange Roughy, Australian Salmon, Sea Mullet, and Grey Mackerel, you can capitalize on the enhanced flavours and affordability that consumers crave during this season.
Stay ahead of the competition by understanding these consumer trends and providing the seafood consumers are putting on their plates this winter.
