Cod at Consum: Price, Varieties and Specialized Alternatives [2026]

What cod does Consum offer

Consum is one of the most valued distribution chains in the Spanish Mediterranean arch. Founded in 1975 as a consumer cooperative, it has over 800 supermarkets spread across the Valencian Community, Catalonia, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia. Its cooperative model allows it to maintain a relationship of trust with consumers, prioritizing the quality of fresh produce and the value for money.

In its fish and food section, Consum offers various cod options:

Fresh and frozen cod

Consum's fish section, staffed by specialized personnel in many of its stores, offers:

• Fresh cod at the counter: when season and supply allow, Consum has fresh cod by the cut. Quality varies depending on origin and catch date.
• Frozen cod fillets: in formats from 400g to 1kg, generally of Atlantic or Pacific origin. Indicative price between €9 and €14/kg depending on the reference.
• Frozen shredded cod: prepared flakes for fritters, croquettes, or scrambled eggs. Convenient and affordable format.
• Individual frozen portions: cod in ready-to-cook servings, very practical for everyday use.

Salted cod

Consum also sells salted cod in its refrigerated section:

• Salted cod whole piece: available in some stores with a cured fish counter. Variable origin, with the presence of Norwegian and Icelandic cod in certain references.
• Packaged salted cod: in plastic containers, pre-portioned salted loin and flakes. Convenient format that does not require cutting.
• Salted cod flakes: an economical option for recipes where cod is flaked, such as fritters or brandade.

Cod preserves and prepared meals

• Bacalao al pil pil in a jar: ready-made preparations under own brand or supplier.
• Fritters and croquettes: frozen product ready to bake or fry.

Consum differentiates itself from other supermarkets by its commitment to fresh and local products. Its cooperative model incentivizes consumer-member satisfaction over profit maximization, which translates into a generally well-regarded fish section offer.

The cooperative model: why Consum cares about quality

One of the aspects that differentiates Consum from other chains is its structure as a consumer cooperative. This has direct implications for the quality of its products:

• Members are the owners: unlike a conventional supermarket where the goal is to maximize profit for shareholders, at Consum, consumers themselves are the owners. This aligns the company's interests with those of the buyer.
• Quality private label: Consum's private label has a reputation for superior quality compared to the industry average. Its private label products undergo controls that, according to the cooperative itself, equal or exceed those of manufacturer brands.
• Relationship with local suppliers: Consum maintains stable agreements with local suppliers, which favors product freshness.
• Transparency: as a cooperative, Consum publishes information about its practices and product origins with more transparency than many conventional chains.

All of this means that, within the universe of generalist supermarkets, Consum offers one of the best quality-price relationships in fish. However, its offer remains generalist and cannot compete in depth with a specialist in cod and seafood.

What a specialized store like Bacalalo offers

Stores specializing in cod and seafood, such as Bacalalo (since 1990 in Mercat del Ninot in Barcelona), operate with a radically different approach to any supermarket:

Exclusive origin: Iceland

The cod worked at Bacalalo comes exclusively from Iceland, considered the best fishing area in the world for Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod). The cold, clean, and nutrient-rich waters of the Icelandic North Atlantic produce cod with superior characteristics:

• Whiter, firmer, and more compact meat
• Higher protein concentration and lower fat content
• Better gelling capacity for dishes like pil pil
• Cleaner and deeper flavor after curing

Artisanal salt curing

The salted cod from a specialized store is cured following traditional processes that can last weeks. This curing transforms the fish protein, creating a unique texture that flakes apart and allows for natural emulsification with olive oil. It is not merely a preservation method; it is a gastronomic transformation.

Variety of professional cuts

• Loin: the thickest and juiciest piece, for main courses
• Penca: thin piece with more gelatin, ideal for pil pil
• Premium flakes: shredded from the same top-quality pieces
• Kokotxas: cod cheeks, considered a delicacy
• Callos: the stomach, for traditional Basque recipes

Expert advice

With over 30 years of experience, the Bacalalo team advises on desalting times according to the thickness of each piece, optimal cooking techniques, and pairings. This accumulated knowledge is a value that no supermarket can replicate.

Detailed comparison table

Note: prices are indicative based on public data. They may vary by store, season, and promotions.

Real price per kilo analysis

The nominal price per kilo does not always reflect the real cost of the product ready to cook. There are factors that adjust the comparison:

At Consum

Frozen cod at Consum ranges from €9 to €16/kg depending on format and origin. This price includes glazing (protective ice layer), which can represent 10-20% of the total weight. Adjusting for glazing, the real price is between €11 and €19/kg of defrosted product.

Packaged salted cod at Consum ranges from €14 to €20/kg in dry weight. It is an intermediate option between economic frozen and premium specialized.

In specialized store

Icelandic salted cod at Bacalalo sells for between €19 and €30/kg in dry weight. After desalting (24-48 hours), the cod absorbs water and increases its weight by 20-30%, reducing the effective price to €15-23/kg of product ready to cook.

Effective price comparison

The real difference is smaller than it initially appears. The question is whether the leap in quality, origin, and advice justifies that differential, something that depends on the use you give to the product.

Related Bacalalo Products

Dried Cod Loin 800g

€19.90

View product →

Premium Cod Flakes 500g

€9.90

View product →

When it makes sense to buy cod at Consum

Consum is an excellent option in many scenarios. Its cooperative model and attention to quality make it one of the most reliable supermarkets for buying fish:

• Integrated weekly shopping: if you do your regular shopping at Consum, adding frozen or salted cod is the most practical. You don't need additional travel or extra planning.
• Balanced quality-price: Consum's private label offers a quality generally above the industry average. If you are looking for reliable supermarket cod, Consum is a good choice.
• Attended fish counter: in many Consum stores, the fish counter is staffed by trained personnel who can advise you on the product and prepare it on the spot.
• Everyday recipes: for grilled cod, breaded cod, in a salad, or for croquettes, Consum's cod provides a very decent result.
• Proximity in the Mediterranean arch: if you live in the Valencian Community, Catalonia, Murcia, or bordering areas, Consum probably has a store near your home.
• Family budget: for families who want to include fish in their diet regularly without significant extra cost, Consum offers accessible options.

When to choose a specialized store

The specialized store provides differential value that justifies the investment in certain situations:

• Demanding traditional recipes: pil pil, vizcaína, ajoarriero, or confit cod require quality cured salted cod to obtain the authentic result. The natural gelling of cured Icelandic cod cannot be replicated with frozen cod.
• Special dinners and celebrations: Christmas, birthdays, dinners with guests... when the dish has to shine, the quality of the ingredient makes a difference.
• Specific cuts: cod cheeks (kokotxas), cod tripe (callos), pencas for pil pil, or thick loins are only available in specialized stores.
• Gastronomic gifts: a batch of premium Icelandic cod is an original and memorable gift.
• Culinary learning: if you want to learn how to work with real salted cod, the advice of a specialist is worth more than any tutorial.
• Online shopping throughout Spain: although Consum has good coverage in the Mediterranean arch, a specialized online store like Bacalalo ships to the entire peninsula.

Conclusion

Consum and specialized cod stores represent two complementary, not exclusive, purchasing philosophies.

Consum stands out as a cooperative that prioritizes quality within the supermarket format. Its attended fish counter, its well-regarded private label, and its commitment to fresh produce place it above the industry average. For regular daily cod consumption, it is a reliable and convenient option that deserves recognition.

A specialized store like Bacalalo offers a product of another level: selected Icelandic cod, artisanally cured, with a variety of professional cuts and expert advice. It is the option when cod is the star of the dish and you want an exceptional result.

The combination of both options is the smartest strategy: Consum for everyday cod, and a specialized store for occasions where premium quality makes the difference.

Informative comparison based on public data. Prices and availability may vary.