Aquaculture 2022

February 28 - March 4, 2022

San Diego, California

MARKET RESEARCH TO GUIDE U.S. AQUACULTURE RECOVERY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Jonathan van Senten*, Carole R. Engle, Ganesh Kumar, and Madan Dey

SEAMaR, Virginia Seafood AREC

Virginia Tech

102 South King Street-

Hampton, VA, 23669
jvansenten@vt.edu

 



The shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in  widespread shutdowns and loss of major markets that have threatened the survival of many U.S. aquaculture businesses. The magnitude of business closures and employee layoffs has resulted in an unparalleled shock to the U.S. economy. The combined effect of business closures and reduced discretionary spending of consumers are having strong negative economic effects, the length of which is unknown.  This  ongoing  project focuses on c onsumer market research to provide science-based information to guide U.S. aquaculture businesses as they attempt to adjust marketing efforts to respond to the abrupt changes in the food supply chain and consumer purchasing of prepared meals (at-home and away-from-home) and groceries for at-home consumption. Through a series of five quarterly surveys, this study is targeting seafood consumers in 20 core-based statistical areas (CBSA) to assess their changes in seafood purchasing and consumption behavior and preferences .  These market areas were selected with the input of industry advisors from varying sectors of U.S. aquaculture. The baseline survey of consumer  behavior and preferences for seafood and aquaculture products pre-COVID and during COVID have been completed.  Results of this first wave of surveys have been  disaggregated into responses related to the  major U.S. aquaculture species of catfish, trout, and oysters.

  • Atlanta
  • Baltimore / Washington DC
  • Boston
  • Charlotte
  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Jackson (MS)
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Memphis
  • Miami
  • New Orleans
  • New York
  • Raleigh/Durham
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • St. Louis