In fresh fish, salmon continues to grow as the leading type by value, up to 22.5% of the total. Haddock declined more than cod. Smoked fish has seen more than 20% growth and the influence of celebrity chefs can be seen in the growth of smoked trout, fresh tuna and sea bass. Shellfish growth is driven by prawns, up 28% to account for more than 55% of the market, but growth has also been seen for crabsticks. In the more static frozen sector, the trends are from breaded into battered preparations and, in natural fish, from fillets into steaks. There is growth for speciality fish here also, some fall back in fish in sauce, but there's a steady performance for frozen fish ready meals. In canned fish, value growth is driven by tuna, which accounts for more than half the market. But in 2001 canned salmon grew by 20%, particularly red salmon which was down in price by 6% over the year as a whole. Own label dominates the fresh sector, but Birds Eye and Young's Bluecrest brands account for more than 40% of frozen fish, with own label taking a 48% share. In the canned market John West and Princes dominate, but brands are taking a growing 60% share. In fresh fish and seafood Sainsbury as an outlet still leads, but Tesco has increased share to challenge that lead. In the frozen sector, Iceland has increased share in 2001 to hold second place, though Tesco still leads, as it does in canned fish, where Asda has taken second place from Sainsbury. Fishmongers still account for a 14% share of trade in fresh fish and seafood. {{FOCUS SPECIALS }}

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