Louisiana Foods Seafood Fact for:
U.S. Seafood Consumption
More Seafood, More Choices
Finally, the story can be told: U.S. per capita seafood consumption hit 15.2 pounds in 1994, up from 15 pounds in 1993. The combination of increased per capita consumption and population growth brought the total amount of seafood consumed to 3.94 billion pounds, breaking the previous record of 3.9 billion pounds set in 1987. The increase, noted Lee Weddig, executive vice president of the National Fish Institute, "reflects consumers" desire to keep fish and shellfish as a regular part of their diets, "despite exceptionally strong competition from red meat and poultry".
The .2 billion pound increase was mirrored by an overall increase in fresh and frozen products from 10.2 to 10.4 pounds, the second highest total on record, while canned products remained steady at 4.5 pounds. Similarly, consumption of fillets and steaks increased from 2.9 to 3.1 pounds, while sticks and portions dropped from 1.0 to .9 pounds.
And just what seafood were Americans eating in 1994? Once again, canned tuna lead the Top 10 list (at 3.3 pounds), followed by shrimp, which increased to a record 2.6 pounds. Other winners included #3 pollock (up .32 pounds to 1.52 pounds) and #4 salmon (up .12 pounds to 1.11 pounds). At the same time, drops were posted by #6 catfish (down .13 pounds to .98 pounds) and #8 flat fish (down .26 pounds to .36 pounds).
More interestingly, perhaps, the Top 10 in 1994 accounted for a smaller percentage of total consumption than in 1993, when it represented 80% of the total. In 1994, notes Weddig, "the Top 10 accounted for several percentage points less of a growing total, indicating that other species are gaining popularity as well, including tilapia, sea bass, squid, hake and hoki".
The above information is from the Seafood Leader.
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