July Market Information

As July arrives, we move deeper into the heart of summer, when fields and seas truly come alive with abundance. Homegrown produce is at its most expressive, with soft fruits stealing the spotlight, UK salads bursting with colour and crunch, and new-season potatoes adding depth to summer plates. Sunshine and warmer nights are pushing growth forward, bringing an early flush of vibrant leaves and tender beans. From the coast, flat fish are at their peak, Bluefin tuna makes a striking entrance, and shellfish is plentiful and full of character. This is a moment to lean into bold, bright flavours, showcase the very best of British and European harvests, and let the season’s energy shape the menu with confidence and creativity.

Seafood:

July brings a wealth of possibilities from the coast, offering chefs plenty of sustainable and seasonal choices for summer menus. The story around Scottish monkfish continues to be positive, with both black- and white-bellied varieties upgraded from an MCS 4 rating to a 2. This makes them a far more attractive option for menus. Rays are also seeing better sustainability ratings, creating a real opportunity to reintroduce skate to menus confidently.

The start of the UK Bluefin tuna season adds a real buzz to July. Running from now through December, these fish are caught locally using rod and reel, earning them an MCS 3 rating. Their striking appearance and rich flavour make them a show-stopping addition to any summer menu.

Lobsters are plentiful, with both native and Canadian options in good supply. Prices are beginning to ease slightly, although it is helpful to be flexible on sizes if planning larger volumes, especially with native catches.

Farmed halibut remains a strong choice, combining consistent quality and a solid MCS 2 rating. There may be some supply dips in August due to farm maintenance, so forward planning is sensible. Meagre is another interesting option. This fast-growing, resilient fish performs well in warmer water and offers a lower carbon footprint than sea bass or bream, making it a smart and versatile alternative.

Flatfish are a real highlight this month. Cornish lemon sole is now at its best, plaice is fully in season and megrim offers a more economical and underused option. Witch soles provide another good value choice, while turbot and brill landings are improving and should offer potential specials opportunities. Dover sole will be harder to find now that spawning has finished, pushing prices up, though quality remains high.

Monkfish landings from the South Coast are increasing, which has nudged prices slightly, but availability remains strong. Sardines should also start to appear more reliably toward the end of July, perfect for lighter summer plates.

Crab meat prices are holding steady and provide great value for dishes such as crab cakes, tian or dressed crab. On the other hand, brown shrimp remains under pressure due to low catches and high demand, making it a less attractive option for the moment.

Salmon continues to offer good value and consistent quality after recent challenges. Trout, including ChalkStream and sea-reared varieties, is another excellent choice for summer menus. Both options provide strong provenance and flexibility across preparations, whether grilled, baked, pan-fried or served raw as tartare.