Research Project: Post-COVID Restaurant and Supermarket Demand for Marine Species in Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic States

Location: Animal Production and Protection

Project Number: 0500-00104-001-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 20, 2024
End Date: Sep 19, 2026

Objective:
Assessing the demand for marine species is a critical consideration in understanding the commercial feasibility and potential for growth of marine aquaculture. Market demand for seafood has experienced changes in the post-COVID period, necessitating a reevaluation of consumer preferences and emerging opportunities at different levels of the supply chain. However, limited market research exists for commercially significant marine aquaculture species such as red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica). This proposal aims to bridge this gap by conducting restaurant and supermarket surveys in Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic states. The objectives of the study are to assess the demand for red drum and oysters, and their substitutes, determine the availability of these species, identify critical product attributes and preferences, and identify market outlets with the greatest potential for increasing sales. Objectives: 1. Assess restaurant and supermarket demand for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and their close seafood substitutes in Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic states through surveys. 2. Determine the availability of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica), to restaurants and supermarkets in Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic states. 3. Identify the most important product attributes and preferences for restaurant and supermarket products and provide information to help producers formulate effective marketing strategies for Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions. 4. Identify the market outlets with the greatest potential to increase sales for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica).

Approach:
Through comprehensive data collection and statistical analysis, the study will provide crucial insights into emerging market opportunities, enabling producers to formulate effective marketing strategies and capitalize on the competitive advantage of locally farmed products. This will also benefit restaurants and supermarkets seeking consistent supplies of reliable quality of red drum and oyster industries by effectively conveying restaurant and supermarket needs and preferences to aquaculture producers. Overall, the outcomes of this research will benefit the marine aquaculture industry by facilitating informed decision-making and promoting sustainable growth. Expected outputs and deliverables for this project are: • One journal manuscript/publication on the supermarket and restaurant demand for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). • One journal manuscript/publication on the supermarket and restaurant demand for eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). • One Extension factsheet summarizing factors (production and marketing) that contribute the most to economic feasibility as well as constraints for the warmwater marine finfish species of interest. • One written summary of any remaining research gaps identified that are important for commercialization of the species of interest identified by this project.