UM: Sardinemaxxing Is Still Trending — Should You Try It?

When it comes to canned fish, tuna and salmon tend to be America’s go-tos. But lately the humble sardine has been getting lots of social media love in the

Now I can’t even look at the word t*na.

“Sardinemaxxing” has fuelled such strong demand in Australia that supermarkets are struggling to keep the tinned fish on their shelves.

On Thursday 3rd September 2026, Carl Munson’s Good Morning Portugal! news reports that sardine prices are surging after Portugal’s 2026 EU quota was cut under a recovery plan, combining limited supply with booming global demand for artisanal tinned fish. Douro wine growers dumped around 300 kg of grapes in the streets of Régua as a protest over the regional crisis.  Other headlines include parliamentary leaders setting a date for a no-confidence motion, the PSD criticising Chega’s move, and 11 municipalities under maximum wildfire risk during an intense heatwave, with temperatures forecast up to 38°C in Lisbon and 41°C in Évora. Keep in touch 24/7 - www.portugaltalkradio.com #GoodMorningPortugal #PortugalNews #SardinePrices #DouroGrapes #Regua #Heatwave #WildfireRisk #NoConfidence #Chega #Portugal2026

'Sardinemaxxing' has emptied supermarket shelves — but the real risk might not be the one you think.

'Sardinemaxxing' has emptied supermarket shelves — but the real risk might not be the one you think.

'Sardinemaxxing' has emptied supermarket shelves — but the real risk might not be the one you think.

'Sardinemaxxing' has emptied supermarket shelves — but the real risk might not be the one you think.

Seafish, MSC and Cornish fishermen urge consumers to check seafood provenance as UK sardine sales rise 30% amid the #sardinemaxxing trend

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore beca...

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore…

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore beca...

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore became the must-have fashion trend. Now, demand is accelerating just as Morocco’s sardine stock has collapsed, causing shortages on supermarket shelves. The Guardian travels to Matosinhos in Portugal, the cultural home of the sardine industry, to investigate who is profiting from the boom, how it has affected local fishermen, and what sustainability looks like in an era of global heating

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore became the must-have fashion trend. Now, demand is accelerating just as Morocco’s sardine stock has collapsed, causing shortages on supermarket shelves. The Guardian travels to Matosinhos in Portugal, the cultural home of the sardine industry, to investigate who is profiting from the boom, how it has affected local fishermen, and what sustainability looks like in an era of global heating

Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore became the must-have fashion trend. Now, demand is accelerating just as Morocco’s sardine stock has collapsed, causing shortages on supermarket shelves. The Guardian travels to Matosinhos in Portugal, the cultural home of the sardine industry, to investigate who is profiting from the boom, how it has affected local fishermen, and what sustainability looks like in an era of global heating

Do they smell great? No. Are they visually pleasing? Not exactly. But this hasn’t stopped sardines from becoming the breakout food star of 2026.

“Sardinemaxxing” has fuelled such strong demand in Australia that supermarkets are struggling to keep the tinned fish on their shelves.