| Abstract: | The rapid growth of aquaculture has significantly impacted the development of global seafood markets by providing year-round supplies of consistent quality seafood products. Production of cultured salmon, however, has resulted in both a rapid increase in supplies and substantial decreases in prices for both farmed and wild product. Producers are now searching for new marketing and production strategies and debating the relative merits of wild and cultured product. To date, however, there are few studies which explore consumer preferences for wild and cultured salmon. This paper addresses this issue by reviewing general trends in global seafood markets and focusing on market development and consumer preferences for farmed and wild salmon. A consumer survey was developed to elicit preferences for the characteristics of salmon. Results showed that quality was the most important salmon attribute followed by state (fresh/frozen), flesh color, and price. Source of production (wild or farmed) was the least important attribute and species and product form were of intermediate importance. However, preferences for specific characteristics depended on the socioeconomic profile of the respondents. Results indicate potential opportunities for niche marketing of certain types of wild salmon, conditional on resource conservation and management. |
