Sea Bass vs Sea Bream: Which Fish is More Expensive?

Sea bass and sea bream are two of the most popular fish found on restaurant menus and fish markets around the world But when it comes to your wallet, which one should you choose? This article will compare sea bass vs sea bream prices to help you make the best – and most budget-friendly – decision.

An Overview of Sea Bass and Sea Bream

First, let’s start with a quick overview of these two fish:

Sea bass refers to several species of medium-sized fish found in temperate waters globally. Some common varieties are the European sea bass and the Asian sea bass. They have firm white flesh with a mild, delicate flavor.
Sea bream encompasses many species, including gilthead sea bream found in the Mediterranean and red sea bream in Asian waters. Sea bream are smaller fish with silver bodies and a more robust flavor.

While they look somewhat similar, sea bass and sea bream do have distinct differences when it comes to taste, texture, nutrition, and of course, cost Keep reading as we do a deep dive into comparing sea bass vs sea bream prices

Sea Bass Price Comparison

The price of sea bass can vary substantially based on factors like:

Wild caught vs farmed – Wild sea bass is more expensive, ranging from $15-25 per pound. Farm-raised sea bass costs $8-12 per pound.
Imported vs domestic – Imported sea bass from Europe costs around $22 per pound. American sea bass is cheaper at $12-18 per pound.
Whole fish vs fillets – You’ll pay more per pound for whole sea bass compared to just fillets. But you get more usable meat with a whole fish.
Seasonality – Sea bass prices are higher in winter when catches are lower. Summer has peak supply and lower prices.
Location – Prices can be higher at restaurants vs fish markets. And coastal regions may offer lower prices.

Generally, expect to spend around $8-15 per pound for fresh sea bass depending on these factors. let’s compare that to sea bream next.

Sea Bream Price Comparison

The main factors impacting the cost of sea bream include:

Wild caught vs farmed – Farmed sea bream is more affordable at $15-22 per pound. Wild sea bream can cost $18-26 per pound.
Imported vs domestic – Prices are higher for imported Mediterranean sea bream at around $26 per pound. American sea bream costs $18-22 per pound.
Whole fish vs fillets – Whole sea bream usually costs a few dollars more per pound than fillets alone.
Seasonality – During peak season in summer and fall, sea bream prices can dip as low as $12 per pound.
Location – Restaurant sea bream dishes are pricier than buying sea bream at the fish market.

Overall, plan on spending $15-25 per pound for fresh sea bream depending on where and when you buy it.

Comparing Average Prices: Sea Bass vs Sea Bream

Based on typical costs, on average sea bass is a less expensive fish than sea bream. Farm-raised sea bass costs about $2-3 less per pound compared to farmed sea bream. The gap is even bigger with wild caught fish, with sea bass coming in $5-10 cheaper per pound than wild sea bream.

However, there are times when sea bream is priced lower than sea bass due to fluctuating supply and demand. But in general, sea bass offers more overall value for your money.

Why the Price Difference? Supply and Demand

So why is sea bass generally cheaper than sea bream? It comes down to basic economics – supply and demand.

Sea bass is one of the highest volume farmed fish with large-scale production. This steady supply helps keep prices in check. Meanwhile, sea bream farming faces challenges like high fish mortality, limiting supply growth and keeping prices higher.

When it comes to wild fish, sea bass stocks remain relatively healthy allowing for stable fishing levels. But overfishing has led to declining sea bream populations in some areas, reducing supply. Less supply of sea bream leads to higher prices.

Paying More for Premium Sea Bream

While sea bass costs less overall, there are reasons some consumers are willing to pay the higher price for sea bream:

Flavor – Sea bream has a bolder, more robust flavor profile compared to the mild taste of sea bass. For those who enjoy a stronger briny taste, the added flavor is worth the extra cost.
Texture – Sea bream has thick, meaty fillets that hold up well to grilling and pan searing. The flaky fillets of sea bass can fall apart more easily.
Versatility – The firmer flesh of sea bream allows it to be used in a wider range of dishes from heartier stews to crispy pan fries. Delicate sea bass works better in more gentle cooking methods.
Prestige – In many upscale restaurants, sea bream is viewed as a high-end fish worthy of gracing the menu. So patrons will pay the premium price for the status of eating sea bream.

For many gourmets, the enhanced flavor, texture, versatility, and prestige make sea bream well worth the higher prices. It comes down to personal preferences.

Getting the Best Prices on Sea Bass and Sea Bream

To get the most affordable deals on these popular fish, keep these money-saving tips in mind:

Buy sea bass or sea bream when in peak season in summer and fall.
Opt for farmed fish rather than the pricier wild options.
Purchase seafood at dedicated fish markets rather than at restaurants.
Buy fillets which are often a dollar or two cheaper per pound compared to whole fish.
Look for sales, coupons, and loyalty club membership discounts at grocery stores.
Join a community supported fishery to buy shares of seasonal catch at lower costs.

Perfectly Cooked Sea Bass and Sea Bream Dishes

Once you’ve found an affordable source for fresh sea bass or sea bream, it’s time to turn it into a mouthwatering meal. Here are some popular ways to cook up these delicious fish:

Sea Bass Recipes

Pan-seared sea bass with lemon and capers
Baked sea bass en papillote with herbs
Miso-glazed sea bass with bok choy
Cajun blackened sea bass with remoulade
Sea bass ceviche with mango and avocado

Sea Bream Recipes

Grilled sea bream with Mediterranean relish
Thai steamed sea bream with lemongrass and chili
Pan-fried sea bream with salsa verde
Roasted whole sea bream with rosemary and garlic
Spanish sea bream stew with saffron and potatoes

With the right techniques, both sea bass and sea bream can be prepared into restaurant-quality dishes in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price. Savor the savings along with the delicious flavors.

Sea Bass or Sea Bream: Which is Better for Your Budget?

When weighing your options at the fish market or on the menu, keep this price comparison in mind:

Sea bass offers more overall value, with average prices ranging from $8-15 per pound based on variety and source. Go for affordable farmed sea bass to maximize savings.
Sea bream costs a bit more, averaging $15-25 per pound for fresh fish. Pay the premium if you prefer sea bream’s bolder flavor and firm texture.

Both are delicious, healthy fish that work great in a variety of recipes. For the best deal, sea bass is usually the most budget-friendly choice. But don’t be afraid to splurge on fancy sea bream for special occasions or when you crave its unique taste and texture. Either way, you have tasty and relatively inexpensive meals in store from the sea!

Sea bass & sea bream Welfare

FAQ

Which is nicer, sea bream or sea bass?

Whatever their relative merits, the two fish are very different. The BEST BREAM produce the most gorgeous – and incredibly meaty- great white flakes (prone to dryness when overcooked, it must be admitted) while the SEA BASS are all finesse, much more delicate in texture, although every bit as flavoursome.

Is sea bream an expensive fish?

Although growing in popularity, sea bream remains comparatively inexpensive and is, therefore, a great fish to experiment with. Its delicate flavour goes well with fennel, sorrel, lemon juice, thyme, parsley, tarragon, English mustard, olives, asparagus, tomatoes, almonds and garden peas.

Is sea bass expensive?

Chilean sea bass falls somewhere in the middle of the scale, costing about $30 per pound, if not more. Unfortunately, like many fish species, the Chilean sea bass’s price largely reflects its survival status.

How much is seabream?

From £9.70 per KG Log in for the best price.

Which is better sea bass or sea bream?

However, sea bass has a higher protein content (19.3%) compared to sea bream (19.8%), and sea bream possesses substantially more fat (8.2%) than sea bass (1.4%). Another factor to consider when choosing between Seabass and Seabream is availability and cost. Seabass is typically more widely available than Seabream and is usually more expensive.

Are sea bream and sea bass expensive?

The price of sea bream and sea bass can vary depending on a number of factors, including their availability, the season, and their production method. Generally, farmed fish are less expensive than wild-caught fish, but there can be exceptions depending on the supply and demand.

Which is better seabass or seabream?

Seabass is typically more widely available than Seabream and is usually more expensive. This is due to the larger size of Seabass and its popularity among seafood consumers. Seabream, on the other hand, is often more affordable and is widely available in many countries worldwide.

Is sea bream a good fish?

With dense, juicy white flesh, sea bream are usually sold whole or in fillets. With a satisfying meaty texture, a clean taste and a delicate flavour they’re a good choice whether you’re cooking fillets or opt to try a whole fish. Cooked on a barbecue, grilled or baked in salt, the list of possibilities is endless with a fish as good as this.