As consumers’ tastes and shopping habits evolve and sustainable sourcing, health and nutrition become central to their decision-making, find out how Seafood fulfills these attributes – and how UK retailers can benefit.
As consumer tastes and purchasing habits evolve, interest in responsibly sourced seafood is growing, marking it as a vital, healthy and delicious element in the food safety debate. But to keep its unique qualities in mind, it is imperative that the fishing industry takes a leading role in guiding consumers to make informed choices.
At the recent Norway-UK seafood summit, the consensus was clear: fostering deeper collaboration is essential for industry stakeholders to meet changing consumer needs and ensure a sustainable food supply. Consumers expect retail to help them make informed choices, and retailers are rising to the challenge, implementing responsible sourcing strategies and raising awareness of sustainably sourced seafood. This increases trust between consumers and retailers and also motivates stakeholders in the seafood value chain to cooperate towards a common goal.
Highlighting the seafood category through inspiration and celebration…
Despite the clear value of seafood as a delicious nutritious protein, there are several well-known barriers to consumption that have also been highlighted by economic concerns.
For many consumers, the decision to include seafood in their diet involves a delicate balance between healthier eating habits and their budget constraints. While this rebalancing is a short-term concern, it is exacerbated by the current economic climate, characterized by high inflation and rising costs of essentials such as fuel and food. However, amidst these challenges, the nutritional benefits of seafood are a compelling reason to prioritize their consumption.
As the world demands an ever-increasing supply of sustainable protein, the health benefits of seafood make it an important dietary choice in the future.
In today’s dynamic seafood market, fostering close collaboration with the industry is paramount to understanding and addressing the factors that influence consumer confidence in purchasing seafood. In order to sustain and expand the category, it is essential to provide consumers with better guidance, inspiration and a deeper understanding of where seafood comes from. By celebrating the responsible procurement of seafood and emphasizing its journey from the sea to the plate, consumers’ trust and understanding can be increased.
This approach not only builds trust, but also reinforces the value of responsibly sourced seafood in meeting both consumer demand and sustainability goals. With industry cooperation and a joint effort to educate and inspire consumers, we can shape a future where seafood is still a valued and integral part of the culinary landscape.
