Billingsgate is the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market.
An average of 25,000 tonnes of fish and fish products are sold
through its merchants each year. Approximately 40% of that tonnage
comprises fish imported from abroad. The annual turnover of the
Market is estimated to be in the region of £200m.
Billingsgate is served by almost every port in the United
Kingdom - from Aberdeen to Penzance. Most of the fish is
transported by road directly from the coast and arrives at the
market in the early hours of the morning. Imported frozen fish is
usually shipped in large refrigerated containers. Imported chilled
fish is often airfreighted-sometimes from countries thousands of
miles away - or arrives by sea via roll-on, roll-off ferries. Live
imports include lobsters from Canada and eels from as far away as
New Zealand.
Many processed or 'added-value' fish and fish products are on
display such as cured and smoked fish and roe; prepared products
ready for the table; fish soups; cooked shellfish and pâtés.
Farmed fish are also very much in evidence - predominantly
salmon from the United Kingdom and Norway. Trout and turbot are
also farmed successfully and this source of production is likely to
become more important to the trade with the increasing demand for
fish and the need to conserve natural resources.
For further information contact:
Billingsgatemarket@cityoflondon.gov.uk