Substitution preferences for fish in Senegal
New study from Senegal on the substitution behaviour of Senegalese consumers seafood preferences shows that consumers prefer diversity of species on their plates.
By contributing 17% of animal protein, and 7% of all proteins consumed globally, seafood is in particular crucial for over 3 billion people in developing countries. Globally, seafood is a highly traded commodity, and also many developing countries beneft from seafood trade. Likely, one reason for this are consumer variety preferences.
Due to the large variety of different species, seafood can also be a source of diversity on consumers plates, which depends on consumer preferences.
However, consumer preferences are not yet fully understood empirically, as it is uncertain how variety-loving consumers really are, in particular in specifc settings such as in developing countries.
In this article, Dr. Julia Bronnmann and Dr. Kira Lancker have investigated consumers preferences for different seafood species in a developing country, Senegal, which has high species diversity in the sea.
For the study, data from Senegal's main fishing region Thiès Sud were used.
Senegal
Senegal is the most important fishing nation within the Canary Current large marine ecosystem. Its artisanal fishery harvests about 375 kt of fish annually (158 kt in Thiès Sud), and the national industrial feet harvests another 43 kt.
The fishery in Senegal is unregulated, except for mandatory fishing licenses purchased at a fxedi price; and a range of subsidies. About 90% of the catches that reach the local markets in Thiès are either consumed fresh, traded fresh with neighbouring regions or go into local artisanal transformation. Senegalese inhabitants consume 35 kg of fish per capita annually, where the consumption is as high as 50kg along the coasts.
Results
The case study from Senegal across 28 species reveals evidence that consumers do indeed have a preference for diversity of species on their plates. Consumers value the variety that our oceans provide.
Read the rest of the results in the article here.