The Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) is predicting that sales of both fresh mussels and supermarket ready meal mussel dishes will surge in the run-up to Christmas, with the volume sold increasing by around a third above normal levels. Oyster sales are expected to rise by a similar amount too.
The predictions are based on trends set in recent years, and according to SSMG managing director, Stephen Cameron, it seems that consumers are increasingly on the look-out for exciting alternatives to traditional Christmas fare – with mussels fitting the bill perfectly.
“The great thing about Scottish mussels is that they are tasty and indulgent, yet are a healthy to eat food too,” he says.
“There is a vast array of mussel recipes to choose from, which makes them incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
“Our Scottish rope-grown mussels are also a sustainable choice for the consumer and are independently certified by the Friend of the Sea and Marine Stewardship Council eco-label schemes for the environmentally-friendly manner in which they are cultivated.”
SSMG is a co-operative of mussel and oyster farmers based on the Scottish west coast and Shetland, supplying fresh and value-added shellfish to multiple and independent retailers and restaurants.
