The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has surveyed nearly 3,000 consumers in China to figure out seafood consumer preferences and the role of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) label in their decisions. It has been done in 31 provinces, with 91% of those surveyed being under the age of 40.
Firstly, 90% believe seafood is a better choice than red meat and intend to increase their seafood consumption. Besides, the study concludes Millennials have the highest seafood consumption, with 53% consuming seafood at least once a week.
Moreover, the factors which influence more on their decision more are the price (65%), hygiene of the processing facility and the environment in which the seafood is produced (56%), and food safety (51%).
In addition, 84% of consumers are persuaded to purchase because of the certificate and testing report related to food safety. Finally, 62% of consumers say they would prefer to purchase products that have the BAP label.
Regarding the importance of the BAP program Steve Hart, VP of market development at GSA, said: "Chinese consumers want to be confident when purchasing seafood. The results of this survey show that the BAP program is a great fit for the Chinese market."
"Our program encompasses the issues that are most important to them, which was food safety," he concluded.
A few days ago, the Kingfish Company became the first company in Europe to successfully complete a pilot of Global Seafood Alliance's Raised Without Antibiotics Standard.
Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) is a third-party certification program. It is developed by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), an international, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA.
It is dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy, and third-party assurances.
Through the development of its BAP's standards, GSA has become the leading standards-setting organization for seafood.