Title : Consumer acceptance for cell-based seafood in EU: A multi-country study
Abstract:
The cell-based food industry is garnering significant attention from investors, including major corporations such as Nestlé and Tyson Foods, due to its potential to revolutionize the novel food market. However, in addition to overcoming technical and economic hurdles, the industry must also secure consumer acceptance. While research on cell-based meat has reached a certain level of maturity, there is a notable knowledge gap regarding cell-based seafood.
This study addresses this gap through a stated preference experiment, investigating consumer acceptance of cell-based salmon, tuna, and shrimp among residents of four European countries. This multi-country experiment is a pioneering effort, providing valuable insights into the preferences of consumers in countries with diverse profiles. The selected countries - Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Italy - exhibit distinct characteristics, with Portugal and Hungary representing the highest and lowest per-capita seafood consumption in the European Union, respectively. Furthermore, the Netherlands and Italy occupy opposing positions on the spectrum of "political" acceptance, with the Dutch government actively supporting research in this field and the Italian government imposing a ban on production and sale.
This research contributes to the growing body of literature on consumer acceptance of novel foods by shedding light on the willingness to pay of consumers across different countries, as well as the importance assigned to sustainability and safety certifications from a nutritional perspective. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights for stakeholders seeking to understand consumer preferences and behavior in the emerging cell-based seafood market.
