Scientific name
Sparus aurata; Dicentrarchus labrax
Also known as
Gilthead sea bream, dorade, orata, çipura; European sea bass, loup de mer, branzino, spigola, levrek
Main origins
Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain
Availability
Year round
Overview
About Sea Bream and Sea Bass
Gilthead sea bream and European sea bass are farmed in floating sea cages along Mediterranean coasts, from hatchery to harvest size. Sea bream has firm, sweet white flesh, and sea bass has a mild, delicate flavour with a fine flake.
Greece and Turkey are the largest producers and exporters, with Spain, Italy and Croatia also important. Both species are staples of Mediterranean restaurants and retail, served whole grilled, baked or as fillets.
Key points
- Farmed, consistent year round supply
- Greece and Turkey lead exports
- Graded in grams per fish
- Whole or fillets
Origins
Where it comes from
Italy
Farms both species and is one of the main European consumer and import markets.
Greece
The largest exporter of sea bream and sea bass, supplying fresh fish across Europe.
Turkey
A leading producer and exporter, supplying fresh and frozen whole fish and fillets.
Available origins vary through the year. Contact us for current availability.
Specifications
Available formats
| Product forms | Fresh whole round or gutted; fillets skin on; frozen whole IQF |
| Sizes | Grams per fish: 200/300, 300/400, 400/600, 600/800, 800/1000, 1000+ |
| Freezing | Mainly fresh; frozen product IQF, glazed |
| Packing | Polystyrene boxes with flake ice; fillets in trays or vacuum packs |
| Availability | Year round |
| Certifications | GLOBALG.A.P., ASC, BAP; BRC or IFS processors |
300/400 g and 400/600 g are the most commonly traded whole fish sizes. Specifications are typical for the trade and vary by origin and supplier. We source to your exact requirements.
Interested in Sea Bream and Sea Bass?
Send us your specification, volumes and destination and we will come back to you with suitable offers.