When fish is on the menu, the type of fish you get can depend heavily on where you live.Statistics NZ says in its latest seafood industry survey that salmon, tarakihi and gurnard are the most commonly available fish species in supermarkets and fish shops. However, some species are not widely available in all regions.
“Snapper and trevally are generally available in shops from Nelson northward but barely feature further south where sole is more commonly available,” prices manager Chris Pike says.
The survey gives an economic overview of selected parts of the country’s seafood industry and provides a comparison between 2007 and 2012.
During that time, fresh fish prices rose 19% – an average of 3.5% a year. This compares with a 21% rise in food prices tracked in the Consumers Price Index over the five years.
“For the same period, prices for lamb rose 35%, beef rose 22% and chicken rose 14%,” Mr Pike says.
Hoki, red cod and trevally are among the cheapest species per kilo, while at the other end of the scale, snapper and blue cod are the most expensive.
There is also a large overseas market for New Zealand seafood. The value of fish exports increased 26% to $1.6 billion over the past five years. This rise was due to increases in the price of exported fish.
“The value of seafood exports to China and Hong Kong have increased 62% over the last five years, with demand for rock lobster, frozen fish, pāua and mussels all contributing to the increase,” Mr Pike says.
