August 10, 2023

Global Seafood Alliance survey reveals Chinese seafood purchases

The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has recently concluded a comprehensive survey targeting around 3,400 consumers in China, gaining insights into consumer preferences and decision-making factors related to seafood purchases, as well as to gauge their awareness and perception of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) label, Global Seafood Alliance reported.

Conducted by a third-party entity, the survey encompassed a diverse pool of respondents, with approximately two-thirds of them born in 1990 or later. Notably, an overwhelming majority of participants shared the belief that seafood is a health-conscious option compared to other animal proteins. Over one-third of respondents confirmed that they currently consume seafood at least twice a week.

With respect to preferred shopping destinations for seafood, respondents revealed a trend of returning to supermarkets and traditional markets following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in China. Conversely, the popularity of takeout seafood has witnessed a decline among the respondents.

When probed about the key concerns during the seafood production process, food safety emerged as the foremost priority, closely trailed by considerations of environmental sustainability.

A noteworthy finding from the survey highlighted that approximately 71% of respondents are willing to invest an additional CNY 1 (~US$0.14) or more for seafood products audited by a third-party. This emphasis on added assurance signifies that the presence of the BAP label on seafood packaging could serve as a competitive edge for producers in the marketplace.

The recognition of the BAP label among consumers also came to light in the survey. About 30% of respondents indicated familiarity with the BAP logo, and more than half expressed a heightened likelihood of purchasing seafood products if they featured the BAP label on their packaging.

In terms of auditing the production chain, nearly half of the respondents advocated for a comprehensive assessment of the entire aquaculture production chain. This entails audits covering every facet, including the processing plant, farm, hatchery, and feed mill.

-      Global Seafood Alliance