New research outlining the importance of children and the older generation in increasing seafood consumption will be revealed on day one, using findings from three distinct investigations.
Sharon Carstairs, from Aberdeen University, will present the findings of a recent study into infant consumption and will look at issues resulting from under-exposure to seafood at an early age. She will also provide recommendations to help retailers encourage more parents to feed their young children seafood.
Professor Alexandra McManus, director of the Centre of Excellence for Science, Seafood and Health at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, will then examine the information gap regarding the types of protein-rich meals that are suitable for the older generation.
Also presenting on day one is Simon Kershaw, senior client manager at Nielsen, who will reveal exclusive insight in his talk, “UK retail market overview: state of the nation focusing in on seafood market trends”.
Mr Kershaw will present the driving forces behind shopper habits in the UK, discussing where consumers shop and why, as well as revealing the issues affecting sales performance in fresh, chilled, and ambient seafood.
On the congress’ second day, Seafish market analyst Richard Watson will discuss existing seafood shoppers and the UK economy’s impact on their purchasing power and behaviour.
Fellow Seafish market analyst, Julia Brooks, will offer a broader picture of the seafood market from the consumers’ perspective, including growth opportunities for seafood in fast food chains.
Paul Williams, chief executive at Seafish, the industry authority hosting this year’s congress, said: “Seafood is a popular commodity and an important food source. For that reason, it is integral that processors and retailers understand current trends in order to market their seafood products effectively to ensure people of all generations benefit from its nutritional properties.”
To be held at the Grimsby Institute from 5-9 September, this year’s World Seafood Congress will feature more than 96 speakers from across the globe, including individuals from Defra, Seafish, CEFAS, NOAA, FAO, Marks & Spencer and Meridian Prime.
Registration for the congress is now open and interested parties can sign up at: www.wsc2015.com/registration
