Per Capita Fish Consumption

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The Socio-economics of Fish Consumption in the
United Kingdom
Abdulai Fofana Scottish Agricultural College
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Objectives

• To describe and analyse main economic, social and
  demographic factors that influence fish
  consumption
• To identify areas for further research

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Data Sources

• Mintel
• MLC
• Key note
• Sea fisheries industrial authority (SFIA)
• Ministry of agriculture, fisheries and forestry
  (MAFF) - national food survey

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Main issues of the Industry

• The fisheries sector is a relatively small
  industry within the UK economy
• Contributed 0.1 to GDP but accounted for up to
  5 of agric. output in 1998
• An important industry in the rural sector and
  coastal regions
• Nutritious food
• Employment
• Income
• Serves social, cultural and as well as
  aesthetic functions

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Main issues of the Industry Consumption

• Per capita consumption of fish and fish products
  declined in 1999 and has been in decline since
  1997

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Main issues of the Industry

• Declining fish stocks

• Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) seen as a
  contributory factor fish scarcity

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Main issues of the Industry

• Declining fish stocks
• Instill greater awareness for stock conservation
• Sustainable management of fisheries
• Debate about fish farming against captured
  fisheries
• Environmental concerns such as
• Organic fish farming
• Eco-labelling
• Intense competition among supermarket chains for
  control of the retail trade

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Domestic Production captured Fisheries

• Decreasing domestic landings for cod and haddock

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Trend in UK Landings by main Species ( change
1988 - 1998)

• Captured fish landings declined by 31 between
  1988 and 1999

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Domestic Production-Aquaculture

• Main species farmed Atlantic salmon and trout
• Production of farmed salmon in the UK is the 2nd
  largest in Europe after Norway
• Output of main farmed species such as salmon has
  increased by more than 7 fold between 1988-1999
• Increasing potential for commercial production of
  cod

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Increasing Share of Imports
12
Retail Trade Sector

• Main sectors fresh and chilled, canned and
  frozen fish.
• Retail market valued at 1.46 billion (2.43
  billion euros) in 1997
• Multiple grocers and supermarket chains dominate
  retail sector at the expense of the traditional
  high street fishmongers.
• Retail trade fish by multiple grocers increased
  from 10 in 1982 to well over 60 in 1997
• Salmon overtaken cod and haddock in the fresh
  fish sector

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Fish Processing Sector

• Northeast of Scotland and Humberside in England
  most popular for processing
• Number of fish processing firms have decreased by
  25 in 1995 compared to 1984 levels
• Cod and haddock were the most popular
• Popularity appeared to have declined recently due
  to scarcity
• Alaskan Pollack appear to be substituting for cod
  and haddock in processing

14
Catering Sector

• Fish and chip shops are the most important outlet
• Show 5 point decrease between 1981 - 1999

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Consumption of Fish and Fish Products

• Household expenditure
• Prices
• Consumer attitude
• Demographic trends
• UK population profile
• Age distribution
• Household composition/size
• Regional consumption

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Household Fish Expenditure, 1999

• Household food expenditure was estimated at 54bn
  
• an 11 increase since1995
• Household fish expenditure was estimated at
  2.2bn

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Prices
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Demographic Trends

• Demographic facts and trends contribute to
  shaping the demand for food in general
• UK population is among the largest in Western
  Europe
• Projections indicates no more than 1.2 between
  2002 and 2005
• Increase concentrated in the (35-44), (55-64) and
  65 age groups.
• Significant increase is expected in the (55-64)
  age group,
• may rise by up to 18 in 2005 relative to 1998
  population
• typical of an aging population

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Influence of Children on household fish
consumption
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Potential influence of Ethnic minorities on fish
consumption

• Since 1970s population of non-British origin rose
  by 7 to as high as 28 per annun
• In 1998 ethnic meal accounted for a 3rd of ready
  meals sold
• Value of UK retail of ethnic food market was
  estimated at 665m in 1997 and was forecast to
  grow by 10 per annun.

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Consumers Attitude Towards Fish

• Increasing number of consumers recognized fish as
  a healthy option
• Generic marketing
• Fish Industry Authority (SFIA)
• Scottish Seafood Project, Grampian Seafood
  Project
• Frozen Fish Projects
• Lochinvar Salmon
• Scottish Quality Salmon
• Yet some consumers still have problems with fish
• Smell and the dislike of bones in some species
• Lack of confidence in preparation and cooking
  skills of consumers

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Health Scare and Fish Consumption

• Food product attributes and its health
  ramifications and safety concerns influences food
  consumption decisions
• Fish is perceived to be healthy
• BSE, salmonella and other disease outbreak may
  have temporarily won new fish eaters away from
  red meat
• Long-term health consequences of GMOs and their
  potential environmental impact

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Regional Consumption of Fish

• Consumption of fish varies considerably in the
  regions of the UK
• Geographical port location
• Type of fish landed at port
• Differences in relative market price
• Fish eating tradition of the regions
• Scotland represents only 9 of the population but
  consume 20 of all fish
• Cod and plaice mostly in the south of England
• Haddock, whiting and lemon sole are staples in
  Scotland

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Conclusion and Research Needs

• Consumption has tended to show only marginal
  changes over time
• Children have special influence on consumption in
  households
• Household size determines amount of fish consumed
  
• Household real expenditure on fish has increased
  moderately in the early 90s but has declined
  since 1997

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Conclusion and Research Needs

• While there is variations in fish consumption
  across geographical locations, there is need to
  generate information on consumption across
  socio-economic and income groups
• Ethnic communities is a potential area for
  increase in fish consumption.
• Thus there is a clear need for a more
  comprehensive analysis of ethnic communities
  influence on fish consumption