Skip to content

Never mind cod, it's tilapia and chips please

John DevineMarch
News imageJohn Devine/BBC Miguel Costa has short brown hair and matching beard and moustache, he has a dark blue hoodie on with a sky blue shirt underneath, behind him is equipment in a fish and chip shop, and a price list board is above on the wall to the left.John Devine/BBC
Miguel Costa says many of his locals have made the switch from cod to tilapia but were "sceptical at first with a fish they had never heard of"

Fenland chippies are casting their nets in new areas to source more affordable fish with the cost of cod and haddock rising.

The National Federation of Fish Friers says reductions in cod in the Barents Sea have left shortfalls in the supply chain, but hopes consumers will be adventurous and give other fish varieties a try.

Miguel Costa, who runs the Riverside fish and chip shop in March, Cambridgeshire, began a trial with tilapia three months ago and says locals "love it".

"Customers were very cautious when I started selling tilapia, they thought it was too good to be true, but I told them, if you try it and don't like it, I'll refund you. I have not had to return any money yet", he said.

He is not alone.

Mark Petrou is an award-winning fish and chip shop owner in nearby Chatteris and says he thinks hake, pollock and saithe are the new kids on the chopping block - and will eventually take the crown from cod as it becomes more expensive.

News imageGetty Images A brown compact round fish lying on a bed of ice in a fishmonger's Getty Images
The firmness of tilapia flesh makes it excellent for pan-frying, grilling, or deep-frying in a crisp beer batter, BBC Good Food says

Costa is originally from Portugal, a country that knows a thing or two about delicious fish.

"Tilapia originates from the Middle East and Africa, it is now extensively farmed, cod and haddock is so expensive now that tilapia seems the obvious choice, very tasty and affordable for everyone," he said.

He sells a large tilapia for £5, where a large cod costs £9.40.

News imageJohn Devine/BBC A white dinner plate with fish and chips on it, a fryer is visible too, in a fish and chip shop.John Devine/BBC
Tilapia is proving a big hit in Fenland with its white flaky texture and meatiness, and costs less than traditional fish, Costa says
News imageJohn Devine/BBC Mark Petrou has a grey beard and moustache and has a black woolly hat on, with a black, white and yellow snood around his neck, he has a black fleece top with black shirt under that, behind him are cold fizzy drinks in a chill cabinet.John Devine/BBC
Mark Petrou says its time to "give cod a rest, and be more adventurous" when it comes to a fish supper

Mark Petrou runs Petrou Brothers fish and chip shop in Chatteris, and has been in the industry for 40 years.

"People don't realise, but cod was not the go-to fish when fish and chip shops started about 160 years ago," he said, revealing that it was dab that first made up a fish supper.

"We have enjoyed cod too much and hake is a front runner to replace it, it is more sustainable, more affordable, and you'll be delighted not only with the flavour, but what you've got left in your pocket as well," he added.

Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said many fish and chip shops were now adding alternative fish to their menus to supplement traditional cod and haddock.

"Species such as hake, pollock and saithe are fantastic alternatives with great flavour and are often under utilised so they can be sold at a lower price point,"he said.

"Tilapia is another nice white fish than is much cheaper wholesale than cod.

"It is usually farmed in Asia just as species like Pangasius (Basa). It is another alternative which people are having great success with," he added.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related stories
Related links