Understanding market demands is essential for aligning industry practices with consumer expectations. IMPRESS seeks to identify sustainable alternatives for high-trophic species in seafood products. By focusing on low-trophic fish and plant-based substitutes, the project aims to develop products that balance consumer preferences, nutritional benefits, and environmental sustainability.
Surprising Consumer Preferences
To gain deeper insights into consumer preferences, IMPRESS partner MIR-PIB conducted a CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing) survey on the matter. The survey gained insights from six European countries and noted more than 1,000 responses. One surprising finding was the strong interest in plant-based products that still provide essential nutrients like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are typically found in fish. This highlights a growing consumer demand for the health benefits of fish but through more sustainable, plant-derived sources. Additionally, health emerged as a primary concern for consumers, reinforcing the need for nutritious seafood alternatives that align with evolving dietary trends.
Low-Trophic Species as Sustainable Alternatives
High-trophic species, such as salmon and trout, are popular due to their large fillets and high meat yield. However, these species are predators and occupy the upper tiers of the food chain, making their populations more vulnerable to overfishing and environmental changes. Recognising this challenge, IMPRESS is exploring the use of low-trophic species, such as carp, which are less popular but more sustainable. These species, along with aquatic plants like duckweed and algae, feed on plant material or plankton, making them more environmentally friendly choices. The ongoing decline in sea whitefish stocks, such as Baltic Sea cod, further underscores the urgency of finding reliable alternatives.
Challenges and Opportunities
Introducing lesser-known fish species and plant-based seafood alternatives presents a significant challenge. In Poland, for example, plant-based fish imitation products hold a modest market share of approximately 5%. However, Adam Mytlewski, Head of the Department at the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (MIR-PIB) and guest on our upcoming podcast sees this as a promising opportunity for growth, particularly as consumer awareness of sustainability and health-conscious choices continues to rise.
To learn more about the IMPRESS project and its impact, stay tuned for our upcoming podcast episode (landing in Q2 2025), where we dive deeper into the topic.
The article was written by reframe.food.
