So Long, and Thanks for All the Filet-O-Fish
28 July 2011
Total and fried seafood servings at restaurants are on the decline, but non-fried seafood consumption is increasing.
The decline in seafood servings at U.S. restaurants has less to do with natural and man-made disasters like the Gulf oil spill and more to do with the economy and price, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. NPD's foodservice market research finds that total seafood and fried seafood servings have been declining for several years, while servings of non-fried seafood have increased over the last two years.
Commercial foodservice seafood consumption declined by 2% versus flat total restaurant industry traffic for the year ending March 2011, according to NPD's CREST® service, which continually tracks consumer use of foodservice outlets. The decline is a continuation of a longer-term slip in seafood servings. Prior years ending March going back to 2007 find total seafood servings declining by 1% in 2007, 1% in 2008, 6% in 2009 and 1% in 2010.
“The recession was when a notable reduction occurred in seafood consumption, with consumers trading down and out of the market,” says Bonnie Riggs, NPD restaurant-industry analyst. “Then and now, the matter of the price of a seafood meal may have influenced cautious, controlled spenders to switch to other entrées or lower-price-point outlets.”
Non-fried seafood, like salmon and sushi, is an exception in the seafood category. While servings of fried seafood experienced the steepest declines, CREST tracking finds that demand for non-fried fish that is grilled, broiled, baked or raw posted growth in this latest year and prior to the recession. Servings of total non-fried fish increased by 1% for the year ending March 2011, salmon servings grew by 1% and sushi by 4%.
As noted in the recent NPD topical report, “Consumers Define Healthy Eating When They Go Out to Eat,” cooking method ranks among the top features in the definition of healthful eating, and the cooking method of most importance was shown to be grilled. The fastest-growing segment of the population, those 50 and older, were most inclined to mention cooking method as of importance in describing characteristics of a healthful meal, and this age group represents heavier consumers of seafood than those younger.
“The growth in non-fried seafood servings suggests consumers are making health-conscious decisions in their seafood selections,” says Riggs. “With the attention healthful eating is being given by public- and private-sector initiatives, restaurant operators may see this as a good opportunity to assess their seafood menu offerings in order to meet their consumers' interests and needs.”
Photo caption: Non-fried seafoods are gaining share of plate with diners, like Chicken of the Sea® Premium Albacore Tuna featured in this Mediterranean Albacore Salad with feta, black olive, pimientos and fresh oregano—all at only 11 grams total fat per serving.