Sales Drift Afflicts $15 Billion U.S. Fish and Seafood Industry

ROCKVILLE, Md.While U.S. total retail sales of fish and seafood products exceeded $14.7 billion in 2012, an increase over the $13.3 billion sold in 2008, this growth in dollar sales was offset by declines in unit and volume sales with the exception of frozen fish/seafood and frozen raw shrimp, according to new research from Packaged Facts.

In their report Fish and Seafood Trends in the U.S. the market research firm relates per capita consumption of fish and shellfish for Americans stands at 15 pounds for 2011, according to data from the Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). That figure reflects a drop from 15.8 pounds per capita in 2010.

In contrast, other parts of the world eat much more fish and seafood as part of the diet. According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012, China has been responsible for most of the increase in world per capita fish consumption," with an estimated 31.9kg consumed per capita, or approximately 70 pounds.

The Packaged Facts report claims the recessionary economy of 2008-2012 in the U.S. takes some of the blame for the unit and volume sales slowdown.  For example, consumer usage rates for typically lower-priced store brand alternatives to branded fish and seafood products jumped from less than 4% in 2008 to over 30% in 2012, as shopper wallets shrank and consumer spending caution surged. 

Consumers look to fish and seafood as a healthier source of protein than meat and poultry, yet they worry more about spoilage and contamination of fish than they do of meat.  According to Packaged Facts consumer survey data, 15% of U.S. adults strongly agree and 25% somewhat agree that, to eat healthfully, they often choose fresh fish over meat or poultry.  At the same time, 8% of adults strongly agree and 17% somewhat agree that they hesitate to buy fresh fish or seafood because of possible spoilage or contamination issueshigher rates than apply in the case of fresh meat or poultry.

In addition, marketers and retailers remain wary of aquaculture products even as they are urged by government and non-governmental agencies and marketers, retailers and foodservice operators to be concerned about the sustainability of major fish and seafood species.  In addition, as shown by Packaged Facts survey data, 23% of U.S. adults strongly agree and 28% somewhat agree that fresh fish and seafood are healthier than frozeneven as frozen fish (especially traceable, locally frozen fish) may be preferred by sustainability-prioritizing consumers given the higher carbon footprint for fresh fish due to higher distribution and perishability costs. Overall, Packaged Facts projects the U.S. retail market for fish and seafood to reach $17.1 billion by 2017, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%.