Is it really trendy to eat seafood?
Consumption of seafood in the last few years has increased dramatically, and more people are joining the club. The choice of seafood, especially the specific types, depends on consumers. When dining in fine restaurants or making homemade meals, this is extremely common. In the past five decades, seafood consumption in the United States has increased by seventy-five percent. Here’s some numbers to back it up: per capita aqua species on people’s dishes have risen from 11 pounds a year in 1968 to 19 pounds per year in 2020. People are more interested in nutrition and health these days. Initially, consumers started substituting seafood for red meat based on research recommendations. A broader selection of wild-caught and farm-raised seafood has become available. Seafood is mainly sold in groceries and restaurants in the U.S.
Along with the increase in seafood consumption, quality and safety have become more critical. Since 2013, salmon has eclipsed canned tuna as the second favorite fish. Fish like tilapia and pangasius have made it into the top ten since 2000. A decline seems to be taking place in canned and breaded frozen products, while an increase in the consumption of frozen and fresh products has taken center stage. More Americans are consuming a variety of fish that’s diverse in form and in value-added. Consumers are more confident about eating seafood for several reasons. The way consumers feel about the product, recommendations from trusted retailers or chefs, transparency on labels, a sense of trust in the brand, and media reports/news are all factors.
Originally, farmed fish were perceived as higher quality and safer than wild fish because they were cultured in a controlled environment. The Exxon-Valdex oil spill and water pollution incidents in coastal areas got social media talking about seafood safety. This led to rapid growth in domestic aquaculture and the introduction of imported farmed fish. Even so, consumers are increasingly choosing wild-caught fish over aquaculture products and are willing to pay a premium for them. This stems from the following factors:
Recovering overfished wild fish species
The perceived negative environmental impact of farm-raised fish
Competitive prices
Several governmental programs exist to help consumers distinguish between domestic wild-caught seafood and imported seafood, like the USDA, the US International Trade Commission (US ITC). The health benefits of wild-caught fish are generally more beneficial than those of farm-raised fish. In response to NGO campaigns to ban fish products deemed harmful to the environment, fish lovers are buying certified labeled products. The American market values and pays more for aquaculture products grown under conditions that protect the environment, are sustainable, food safe, and are treated humanely.
Consumers place a high priority on quality and safety when spending their money. In addition, people’s health is vital to their well-being. When that weekly grocery errand needs to be done, shop with your eyes wide open. Look for labels that promote wild-caught products backed by notable brands and seafood markets. Until next time, Stay strong & Stay vivid!
Reference
Nemat, B et al. (2019). The Role of Food Packaging Design in Consumer Recycling Behavior – A Literature Review. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11164350.
Nyuyen. L, et al. (2023). Perception shifts in seafood consumption in the United States. ScienceDirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105438.
