European consumer perceptions and barriers for fresh, frozen, preserved and ready-meal fish products
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to investigate consumers' perceptions and barriers in relation to fresh, frozen, preserved and ready‐meal fish products in a geographically diverse selection of European countries. Design/methodology/approach Cross‐sectional data were collected through a consumer survey (n=3,213), conducted in June 2008 in the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK. Items measured were self‐reported consumption frequencies, consumer perceptions of different fish product categories, and perceived barriers for increased fish consumption levels. Country specificities are discussed. Findings The overriding healthy perception consumers have about fish was confirmed, and contributed very strongly to the general perception consumers have about fish. Fresh fish was perceived the most healthy fish product, followed by frozen, preserved and ready‐meal fish products. Perception scores were highest correlated with self‐reported fish consumption in the Mediterranean countries. With the exception of Romania, perceived barriers only poorly explained self‐reported consumption frequencies of the different fish product categories. This finding is related to the possible influence of habit and tradition with regard to eating fish, to the absence of measures related to motivations or drivers to consume fish, or to the possibility that some of the perceived barriers reinforce each other. In the Mediterranean countries, fish consumption frequency is on a very high level, independently of perceived barriers and motivational aspects, and part of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Originality/value The strength of this study pertains to its international scope and geographical spread. Further, consumer perceptions and perceived barriers in relation to fresh, frozen, preserved and ready‐meal fish products have rarely been studied in parallel. Findings are relevant to support efforts on national and international level to stimulate or modify fish consumption, and to explore opportunities to trade fish products.
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In affluent economies, changes in meat consumption habits are driven by heterogeneity in valuations of product characteristics and increasing relevance of health, ethical and ecological issues.
“In affluent economies, changes in meat consumption habits are driven by the heterogeneity in the valuations of product characteristics by individuals (Gracia & de-Magistris, 2013) and by the increasing relevance of health concerns, ethical and ecological issues (Vanhonacker, Pieniak, & Verbeke, 2013).”
From Emerging trends in European food, diets and food industry (2018) · cites this paper as Vanhonacker et al., 2013
Many studies showed strong scepticism of western consumers towards introduction of food with insect-based ingredients, especially in countries where insects are not traditionally considered food.
“Despite the benefits, many studies showed a strong scepticism of western consumers towards the introduction of food with insect-based ingredients, especially in that countries where insects are not traditionally considered to be food (Vanhonacker et al., 2013;Verbeke, 2015).”
From Emerging trends in European food, diets and food industry (2018) · cites this paper as Vanhonacker et al., 2013
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- Authors
- Vanhonacker, F., Pieniak, Z., & Verbeke, W.
- Affiliations
- Ghent University (BE)
- Venue
- British Food Journal
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2013-04-12
- Volume
- 115
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 508-525
- ISSN
- 0007-070X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2049454275
- Cited by
- 45
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 2.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Food Journal (publishedVersion)
- Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion)
- Flanders Marine Institute (Flanders Marine Institute) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Industry and Aquatic Biology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Keywords
- fish consumption, consumer perception, perceived barriers, fresh fish, frozen fish, preserved fish, Mediterranean diet, dietary habits, fish consumption promotion, cross-national comparison
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