GROCERY bills are predicted to soar by a £180 a year by the end of 2022, with fish prices among those taking a battering.
Around 40% of our white fish comes from Russia – and it is now subject to a 35% tariff increase as a response to the war in Ukraine.
Shoppers have been shocked to see the price of Birds Eye fishfingers – with one saying they "nearly fell to their knees".
So can you still have a fish supper without breaking the bank?
Martyn James, consumer expert for The Sun’s Squeeze Team, says: “There’s often very little difference between the value and brand options.
"However, you could save loads by going cheaper.”
Mum-of-three Lynsey Hope scores them for taste, appearance and value for money – and comes up with a total score out of ten.
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Birds Eye Omega 3 Fish Fingers: 5/10
£2.00 for 10 or 20p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “They contain less fish than any of the others we tried, and they are advertised as as ‘100% fish fillet’.
“They looked appetising, but are quite heavy on the crumb, only containing around 58% fish, which is Alaska pollock.
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9“The taste was quite bland and they broke apart when I cut them. I don’t think they deserve their high price tag.
“And there is definitely more crumb than fish in these fingers.”
- Taste: 4
- Appearance: 6
- Value for money: 4
Aldi Breaded Cod Fish Fingers: 5/10
£1.55 for 10 or 15.5p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “You could see bits of bruised flesh in these Aldi fish fingers, which immediately put me off.
“And my children turned their noses up, too. My fussy son Jacob, seven, spotted straight away that these weren’t our regular fish fingers, and while he tried a few mouthfuls, he wouldn’t finish them.
“They tasted quite ‘fishy’ which I liked but if you are buying these for fussy children, I wonder if they might get rejected. They contain 64% fish, which is more than Birds Eye.”
- Taste: 5
- Appearance: 1
- Value for money: 8
Lidl Ocean Sea Cod Fish Fingers: 4/10
£1.49 for 10 or 14.9p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “These Lidl ones looked very orange, which I found a bit off-putting.
“They contained a very generous amount of fish though (65% cod) and left a nice after-taste. They were quite crunchy but not unpleasant to chew. And dipped in ketchup, they tasted alright.
“Costing just 14.9p per finger, these were the best value we tasted and I’ve got to applaud Lidl for the value for money. They didn’t quite hold up on the taste stakes, though.”
- Taste: 4
- Appearance: 1
- Value for money: 8
Asda Cod Fillet Fish Fingers: 3/10
£1.85 for 10 or 18.5p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “I wasn’t a huge fan of Asda’s fish fingers. They weren’t as cheap as Aldi and Lidl but also not as good as Sainsbury’s or Morrisons, so I’m not sure what would tempt me to buy them.
“They fell apart when I tried to cut them and the whole fish finger seemed quite squidgy. Many had broken even as they came out of the oven and the situation got even worse when I tried to use my knife on them.
"They were very mushy. I wouldn’t go out of my way for these.”
- Taste: 3
- Appearance: 2
- Value for money: 4
Morrisons Haddock Fingers: 8/10
£1.80 for 10 or 18p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “Morrisons fish fingers are made with 64% haddock and are really delicious.
“They cost a few pence more than the cheapest on offer but in my opinion they are worth a bit extra. They looked really good quality and didn’t fall apart when you tried to cut them as many of the others did.
“I really liked the taste. You’d never guess these were a supermarket own brand. I was really impressed. Well done, Morrisons. I’d happily keep a box or two stashed in the freezer.”
- Taste: 9
- Appearance: 9
- Value for money: 7
Waitrose Cod Fish Fingers: 6/10
£2.20 for 10 or 22p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “These looked nice and tasted good. They were quite chunky compared to others and maybe felt a bit more grown-up.
“I really enjoyed them in a sandwich. If I’m being picky though the fish was a little chewy. But I wasn’t left with any bits in my teeth. With others I felt like I was picking them out for hours after.
“They did have a nice golden colour as they came out the oven. Overall, they were OK, but they were one of the more expensive on offer. The cost would probably put me off buying them again.”
- Taste: 7
- Appearance: 9
- Value for money: 4
Tesco Fish Fingers: 9/10
£1.30 for 10 or 13p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “Tesco’s own brand fish fingers are made with 64% Alaska pollock. These are a pretty decent fish finger and would suit most tastes.
“Great value too at just 13p per fish finger – cheaper than Aldi, Asda and Lidl. They have a lovely flavour, no grey bits and they are filling.
“I served these to the kids and they lapped them up. No one was asking what had happened to the usual Birds Eye. I’d buy again”
- Taste: 8
- Appearance: 8
- Value for money: 10
Cod Fish Fingers by Sainsbury’s: 10/10
£2.25 for 12 or just under 22.5p each
LYNSEY SAYS: “At 64%, these from Sainsbury's contain more fish than Birds Eye and were my top pick. They looked really appetising and were crunchy on the outside, with tasty flakes of fish on the inside.
“They are a bit more expensive than the likes of Aldi and Lidl but the fish is responsibly sourced. They tasted great and they are still cheaper than the market leader – those small savings add up.
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“Sainsbury’s will be my go to for fish fingers from now on.”
- Taste: 10
- Appearance: 10
- Value for money: 9
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