The event will be digital and free. Image: Pixabay.

Web events focus on growing US retail demand

Changing trends in the United States seafood market will be examined by panellists at two free webinars next week.

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Feed manufacturer BioMar Chile and Corbion, which produces omega-3 feed ingredient AlgaPrime DHA, are promoting the online events, called “The Breakfast Series”.

Organisers said the events would be especially interesting to Chilean salmon producers, who export much of their fish to the US, but also to people from the US, including retailers, foodservice operators, meal kit providers and nutritionists.

Missing restaurants

Jill Kaufmann, head of global market development at Corbion, said that there has been a dramatic increase in retail sales of salmon and other seafood caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“American consumers miss eating seafood in restaurants, and they are very focused on their health during the period marked by Covid-19, so they buy and cook seafood at home. There are many indicators that this trend will continue after the pandemic,” she said.

Immune resistance

Michael Adler, commercial manager of BioMar Chile, pointed to a greater interest in mental health and immune resistance, which is why companies have seen a growing interest from consumers in healthy foods to prepare at home.

“Seafood is a unique source of valuable nutrients, such as omega-3s, vitamin D, zinc and selenium, which have been shown to support healthy diets. Salmon has high levels of these nutrients, which makes it a super food,” said the executive.

The Breakfast Series comprises two one-hour online sessions held next Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 and 29. They begin at 9am Chilean time (2pm GMT; 8am EDT). All the presentations will be in English.

October 28: The New Norm: Post Covid Food and Seafood US Consumer Trends

  • Arlin Wasserman, chief executive of Changing Tastes:  Research on American food and seafood consumer trends during the time of Covid and beyond.
  • Linda Cornish, president, Seafood Nutrition Partnership: US seafood consumption demographics, human health benefits of omega-3s, and upcoming update to US dietary guidelines.
  • Jim Griffin, executive director of the Chilean Salmon Marketing Council: Research and perspectives on challenges and opportunities for the marketing of Chilean salmon in the US market.
  • Sebastián Goycoolea, chief executive of BluGlacier:  BluGlacier’s experience in bringing Silverside, a sustainably raised Chilean coho salmon to the US market to promote health and wellness.
  • Moderator: Katherine Bryar, director of marketing and global brand at BioMar.

October 29: New opportunities: diversity of sales channels and community trust

  • Julia Blanter, director of digital marketing, Fulton Fish Market: Trends in online markets, how to engage consumers and new opportunities to sell salmon online.
  • Blake Stok, US Fair Trade Aquaculture manager: Fair Trade brand, sustainability and social elements of the standard, and local community involvement.
  • Vidar Gundersen, BioMar Group global sustainability director: BioMar Discovery tool for traceability of salmon, including feed materials and their environmental impact.
  • Rick Cano, director of Trapananda Seafarms: A sustainability leadership case study.
  • Moderator: Jill Kauffman Johnson, global market development director, Corbion Algae Ingredients

Register for The Breakfast Series here.

Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, is a media partner of the event.