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Seafood Purchases May Slow in 2009

A new report from Packaged Facts has revealed that seafood consumption in the U.S. has flattened after years of solid increases. Because of the recession, shoppers are looking for value in seafood, but are not necessarily cutting back on supermarket seafood, said Larry Buhl, a market analyst at Packaged Facts. So, instead of buying more expensive species, and fresh seafood, more consumers

NEW YORK — A new report from Packaged Facts has revealed that seafood consumption in the U.S. has flattened after years of solid increases.

“Because of the recession, shoppers are looking for value in seafood, but are not necessarily cutting back on supermarket seafood,” said Larry Buhl, a market analyst at Packaged Facts. “So, instead of buying more expensive species, and fresh seafood, more consumers are turning to frozen and packaged seafood and canned products in order to save money but still receive the health benefits of seafood.”

Buhl added that he sees a brief resurgence of canned fish and value-added frozen seafood, which had all been declining in recent years; however, the trend may change when the economy picks up.

The report, “The U.S. Market for Seafood,” predicts that annual per capita consumption will fall from 16.3 pounds in 2007 to 15.8 pounds in 2009, before rebounding in 2010, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Marketers and retailers can promote fresh seafood by emphasizing its health benefits, as well as demonstrating commitment to the environment by implementing sustainable practices in the raising, harvesting and selling of fish, the report suggests.

Buhl said he sees a trend in which retailers are providing more seafood information — ranging from brochures and take-away cards explaining food safety and sustainability issues, to in-store food-prep demos featuring seafood.

TAGS: Seafood