Lidl, the leading supermarket chain in Spain in sustainable fishing, will take a step further in its commitment to sustainable fishing and aquaculture and will aim to achieve, during this 2023, 100% sustainable certification in all families of certifiable fish products. Currently, the chain has 97% certification of certifiable brands with various seals that confirm sustainable fishing and aquaculture.
Lidl’s role in sustainability dates back to 2003, when the company began trading fish under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) seal, a seal that guarantees the protection of species, great impacts on the marine ecosystem and contributes to sustainable development. fishing sector, allowing thousands of Spanish fishing families to maintain their livelihoods in the future. Since then, the company has incorporated certifications such as Aquaculture Stewardship (ASC) which guarantees responsible aquaculture, advocacy for the conservation of nature, biodiversity and species diversity, good health and animal husbandry, among other standards. Other notable certifications are Global GAP, which certifies good practices in aquaculture and food safety, and organic product certification.
Under the same initiative, the company also promotes the principles of fostering fishing. For this reason, their assortment of fish is not threatened as a marine food, and as much as possible, it does not provide small species that are endangered by humans or overconsumed. In this line, its association consists only of fish and crustaceans, which are obtained with respectable fishing methods, which have minimum catches and juvenile catches, and which are respected with the environment. In this way, Lidl is positioned as the company that markets the most MSC-certified products in the national market with its brand.
Variety in every kind of fish
In addition to offering sustainable products to consumers, the company has about 200 permanent and temporary offers, thus positioning itself as one of the three fastest growing retailers in fresh fish sales and the second leading supermarket in frozen fish sales, according to data from Kantar Wordpanel.
In the company of today’s rise, which is characterized by the size of more than 50 species of fish and shellfish, you can find both fresh, frozen, canned and prepared fish. Lidl offers its fresh fish on a tray fully prepared and ready to cook, one of the company’s main objectives is to offer the ability to consume fish quickly and easily. In a context in which Spanish families buy less seafood, with the average price of the sector increasing by 9.1%, Lidl is committed to bringing its users at an affordable price, and a catalog of products ranging from traditional fish such as halibut or salmon, also types of shells or all types of crustaceans. Also, the inflationary situation has also caused consumers to prioritize things in fresh products and frozen preparations, since these have higher prices. According to a study prepared by Nielsen IQ, fresh fish fell by up to 9.1%. “At Lidl, we want to bring the most brands of both fresh and deep-frozen fish to the consumer at the best price, which is why we have such a diverse and sustainable range of products, so that they can find the products that best suit their needs,” says Miguel Paradela, general manager.
Benefits of fish and consumption trends
Fish are protein-rich foods of great biological value that contain all the essential amino acids to form body proteins. For this reason, the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetic Societies (FESNAD) recommends to the general population the consumption of 3-4 servings of fish per week, trying to vary between white and blue fish, such as cod, monkfish, pineapple or tuna, all of which are available in more than 650 supplies that Lidl has in Spain.
In addition to these benefits, fish also have a more digestible origin than meat, so that the body uses them more efficiently. That’s why they propose products from Lidl, such as burgers with fish and shrimp, or salmon or fish, to reach new consumers, such as fish eaters, who are those who base their diet mainly on vegetables, but who sometimes also include fish. shells; or to facilitate a varied diet based on fish, because when the pandemic began, the Spanish consumer included more fish and seafood in their diet, due to their great benefits and properties. With the commitment to contribute to a healthy and diverse diet, the company presents fish that can be found in traditional fishermen, but in differential formats to offer the greatest variety, such as intestine pieces or ribbons, smoked or organic salmon, or even sea. bass or spars of ribbons.
In addition to the large assortment of Lidl fish, the company has more than 40% of frozen fish in its permanent position, this nutritional value is equivalent to fresh fish, but with different organoleptic properties, as stated by AESAN. This selection of work, in addition to the fact that contamination, additives or parasites are not contemplated, it offers a much cleaner and more convenient function, since once it has been bought, it can only be cooked, without climbing or cleaning; inside the fish In this way, Lidl suggests the fencing of spars or clean sardines to facilitate the consumption and purchase of these products.
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