Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Supermarkets Swap Atlantic Mackerel for Cheaper Jack Mackerel
Some tins labelled mackerel now contain a different fish called Chilean jack mackerel.
Princes has made this change in some products sold through UK supermarkets.
The replacement is cheaper and has less omega-3, an important nutrient found in fish.
Some shoppers have also reported more bones and a metallic smell.
Atlantic mackerel numbers have fallen sharply because too many fish are being caught.
Countries have often disagreed about how much Atlantic mackerel fishing should be allowed.
Supermarkets are changing suppliers to protect fish stocks and keep products available.
However, some shoppers may still pay the same price for the cheaper fish.
People can check the species name on the tin to see which mackerel they are buying.
Princes has replaced Atlantic mackerel with Chilean jack mackerel in some tinned products.
Chilean jack mackerel has roughly half the omega-3 and 100 fewer calories per 100 grams.
Wholesale Chilean jack mackerel reportedly costs about one-third as much as Atlantic mackerel.
Atlantic mackerel stocks have fallen by around three-quarters in the past decade.
Retailers cite supply and sustainability concerns, but shoppers may pay similar prices for the substitute.
- Who
- Princes, UK supermarkets, shoppers, scientists and conservationists are involved; Which? has criticized the lack of transparency.
- What
- Some tinned products are switching from Atlantic mackerel to Chilean jack mackerel.
- When
- The change is already reaching supermarket shelves; Waitrose announced a phase-out of canned mackerel in April.
- Where
- The products are sold in the UK, while Chilean jack mackerel comes from South American waters.
- Why
- Atlantic mackerel stocks are under pressure, while the replacement is cheaper and helps maintain supply.
Consumer and nutrition concerns
Supply and conservation rationale
Price and value
Consumer and nutrition concerns
Consumers may pay a similar retail price for a product made with fish whose wholesale cost is roughly one-third as high.
Supply and conservation rationale
Retailers and manufacturers face supply-chain pressures and must balance availability, sustainability and affordability.
Product transparency
Consumer and nutrition concerns
Which? says manufacturers should clearly disclose recipe changes because shoppers may not realize the species has changed until after purchase.
Supply and conservation rationale
The switch is presented as a response to changing supply and sustainability conditions, although the article says the change may be quiet or unobvious.
Environmental trade-off
Consumer and nutrition concerns
Replacing local or northeast Atlantic fish with imports from South America can mean eating fish transported thousands of miles.
Supply and conservation rationale
Moving away from Atlantic mackerel may help address stocks that have fallen sharply and fishing quotas that exceeded scientific advice.
- Companies involved
- Princes products are sold by Tesco and Sainsbury’s; Waitrose and Lidl have also reviewed or changed mackerel sourcing.
- Replacement fish
- Chilean jack mackerel, also known as Peruvian jack mackerel, is replacing Atlantic mackerel in some products.
- Nutritional difference
- Chilean jack mackerel contains about 100 fewer calories per 100 grams and roughly half the omega-3 of Atlantic mackerel.
- Wholesale price
- Industry figures suggest Chilean jack mackerel costs roughly one-third as much wholesale as Atlantic mackerel.
- Stock decline
- Atlantic mackerel stocks in the northeast Atlantic have fallen by around three-quarters over the past decade.
- Fishing advice
- Scientists recommended reducing fishing for Atlantic mackerel by more than 70 percent last year.
- Quota dispute
- Since 2010, mackerel quotas have averaged 39 percent above scientific advice.