Andrea Innocenti Buying fresh fish is an art that requires attention and knowledge. In his novel Total Casino (1995), set in Marseille, a fisherman is recognized by his throw . Similarly, those who love fish must know how to choose the right moment to bring it to the table, without sacrificing quality but trying to save money.
But what are the best days to buy fish, shellfish, and crustaceans? And when do prices tend to be highest? Let's try to shed some light on this topic by exploring expert advice and local market deals.
The seasonality of fish and the importance of freshness
Choosing the best day to buy fish depends on several factors, including the type of fish, how it was caught, and weather conditions. For example, some bottom-dwelling species, such as sole and red mullet, are subject to specific restrictions and closed periods that can affect the availability of fresh fish during the week.
Generally speaking, Monday may not be the best day to buy certain types of fish, as you risk finding products caught the previous day or coming from markets closed over the weekend. For a very fresh product, even a few days' difference in shelf life can affect its quality, especially if it hasn't been stored optimally.
A user in a Facebook group dedicated to food shopping pointed out that 80 percent of people want to eat fish without even finding a single bone . This demonstrates the importance of knowing the seasonality of fish and reducing waste, including through informed purchasing and preparation.
Prices and opportunities in local markets
Those who can shop every day of the week can enjoy the benefits of local markets. One example is the Testaccio market in Rome , home to historic fishmongers like the Mastroianni family's and stalls like Simona and Daniele's, where you can buy quality seafood, from calamari and clams to shellfish and mixed seafood, as well as ready-made products like skewers and seafood risotto mixes.
As for prices, oily fish such as anchovies, sardines, and mackerel range from 5 to 10 euros per kilo, representing one of the most economical choices. White fish and some more valuable species, such as sea bream, sea bass, and squid, range in price from 15 to 30 euros per kilo, depending on the type and origin. Those looking to save money can opt for oily fish, rich in omega-3, which can be found for less than 5 euros per kilo, while mackerel and horse mackerel have an intermediate price, ranging from 6 to 14 euros per kilo.
Offers do not depend on the day of the week
Luana Mastrorillo, promotion specialist at Maiora SpA SB, explains that there are no days of the week that are more convenient for purchasing specific categories . Promotional initiatives are planned based on various factors, including seasonality, agreements with suppliers, and sales objectives. For fresh products, promotional activities are often influenced by seasonal availability and the promotion of local produce.
Mastrorillo emphasizes that for grocery and non-food products, offers follow a commercial plan defined in collaboration with the industry. However, they are increasingly implementing weekly offers in the freshest departments, ensuring a significant rotation of seasonal products and highlighting their freshness and seasonality.
Which fish to choose in each season of the year
In the documentary film Marche: from water to table (2022), directed by Giampiero Solari, Michelin-starred chef Mauro Uliassi emphasizes the importance of respecting the seasonality of fish to create a great dish. Purchasing seasonal fish means caring about the biological cycles of fish species, contributing to more sustainable fishing, and serving products that best express their unique characteristics.
Here's a month-by-month calendar of seasonal fish, showing the species available at different times of the year:
- January Anchovies, squid, grey mullet, grouper, snapper, hake, John Dory, octopus, amberjack, turbot, sardines, white sea bream, scorpion fish, cuttlefish, mackerel, sole, sea bass and red mullet.
- February Anchovies, squid, grey mullet, grouper, snapper, prawns, hake, meagre, John Dory, amberjack, turbot, sardines, scorpionfish, cuttlefish, mackerel, sole, sea bass, red tuna and clams.
- March Anchovies, grey mullet, grouper, snapper, pink shrimp, crab, prawns, hake, John Dory, monkfish, skate, amberjack, turbot, white sea bream, scampi, scorpion fish, cuttlefish, mackerel, sole, red tuna, red mullet, and clams.
- April Anchovies, lobsters, grey mullets, groupers, snappers, pink shrimp, crabs, hake, John Dory, swordfish, monkfish, rays, amberjacks, white sea breams, sardines, scampi, scorpion fish, cuttlefish, mackerel, sole, sea bass, tuna, squid, and red mullet.
- May Lobsters, grey mullets, groupers, snappers, pink shrimp, crabs, hake, swordfish, monkfish, rays, amberjacks, white sea breams, sardines, scampi, mackerel, sole, sea bass, tuna, squid, and red mullet.
- June grey mullet, snapper, hake, gilt-head bream, swordfish, monkfish, skate, amberjack, white sea bream, sardines, scampi, mackerel, sole, sea bass, tuna, squid and red mullet.
- July Anchovies, grey mullet, snapper, gurnard, pink shrimp, crabs, mackerel, leerfish, white sea bream, hake, saddled bream, gilt-head bream, swordfish, amberjack, white sea bream, sardines, scampi, sole, sea bass, horse mackerel, tuna, squid, red mullet and clams.
- August grey mullets, snappers, hakes, sea breams, swordfish, amberjacks, sardines, white sea breams, mackerel, soles, red tuna and red mullets.
- September Anchovies, squid, grey mullet, snapper, dogfish, prawns, cuttlefish, meagre, sea bream, swordfish, amberjack, turbot, white sea bream, sardines, cuttlefish, sole, sea bass, red tuna, red mullet and clams.
- October Anchovies, squid, mullet, grouper, dentex, gurnard, dogfish, prawns, octopus, hake, meagre, gilt-head bream, swordfish, amberjack, turbot, white sea bream, sardines, cuttlefish, sole, tuna and red mullet.
- November Anchovies, baby squid, calamari, grey mullet, grouper, snapper, dogfish, prawns, octopus, hake, meagre, sea bream, octopus, turbot, sardines, cuttlefish, sole, red mullet and clams.
- December Anchovies, baby squid, calamari, grey mullet, snapper, dogfish, prawns, octopus, hake, red porgy, octopus, turbot, white sea bream, sardines, cuttlefish, mackerel, sole, sea bass, dogfish, red tuna, red mullet and clams.
Buying seasonal fish is a beneficial choice both in terms of savings and product quality. It means following the rhythms of the sea, just as we already do with fruit and vegetables. Besides bringing often tastier and more affordable products to the table, this choice allows you to diversify your diet and highlight lesser-known species.