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Given the growth and change in Canadian salmon aquaculture in the last several years, there is a need to understand consumer habits on salmon consumption and knowledge and perception of salmon production in Canada. The objective of this study is to better understand current salmon consumption trends and consumer views and opinions on salmon farming production in Canada. Canadian participants completed a survey separated into two different sections: (1) consumption habits and preferences and (2) knowledge and perception of production methods. Quantitative descriptive data was collected through a cross-sectional consumer survey in Canada, which included 30 questions. Total sample size was 10,009 respondents (48% female, 52% male). Participants were randomly selected from the representative of the Caddle omni access panel. A total of 79% of Canadians do eat salmon, of which 10% eat salmon weekly. Baby Boomers (born in 1946–1964) have the highest consumption rate at 84%, while Millennials (born in 1981–1996) have the lowest, at 72%. A total of 49% of Canadians prefer wild salmon but 42% have no preference. A total of 62% want to eat a product produced in a natural habitat. Of those surveyed, 37% believe wild salmon presents a lower risk of contamination, and 29% believe wild salmon to be more nutritious. A total of 21% of Canadians prefer to eat farmed salmon that has been raised on a land-based farm; however, a total of 39% prefer an ocean farm as a method of production. While 38% of Canadians prefer Atlantic salmon, 33% prefer Pacific salmon (Sockeye, Pink, Chinook, and Chum species) and 29% do not have a preference. Only 26% of Canadians were aware that organic salmon existed. A total of 55% of Canadians would be more inclined to buy farmed salmon if it were fed a diet that is environmentally sustainable and nutritious. A total of 54% believe that aquaculture is a sustainable way to harvest salmon in Canada. Canadians appear to support the sustainable nature of ocean farm production. Nonetheless, our results suggest that 50% of respondents appear to misunderstand what land-based and ocean farm means. Overall, Canadians enjoy salmon, but results indicate consumers are misinformed about method of production and species type indicating a need for improved information accessibility to the public on salmon production and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined consumer preferences for, willingness to pay for, and the most preferred mode of delivery for immune enhanced dairy products across Canada. Two sets of choice experiments were designed to evaluate preferences for functional foods and nutraceuticals as the modes of delivery for immune enhanced dairy products. Data (N = 1001) was collected through an online stated preference survey and analyzed using conditional logit model. Results revealed that there is a general consumer interest in immune enhanced dairy products, and consumers place a premium on them. Also, the presence of children below the age of fifteen in a household was a major factor that increased consumer receptivity towards the products. Further results revealed that individuals who usually consume functional foods are less likely to be interested in nutraceuticals, and vice versa, implying that the preferred mode of delivery depended on consumer preferences for either functional foods or nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to regular (white and brown) eggs, alternative types of table eggs (e.g., free-run, free-range, organic) are available in the Canadian market, and their market growth rate has been high during the last decade in British Columbia (BC). The objective of our research was to identify associations between consumers' attitudes, preferences, and demographic char acteristics with their consumption of different types of table eggs. An online survey was conducted in June 2009 to gather information from adult BC residents. Sixty-eight percent of the 1,027 randomly selected subjects completed the survey. Our survey indicated that the consumption of cage-free specialty eggs (free-run, free-range, and organic) has strongly increased in BC to 32.9% free-range eggs, 11.93% organic eggs, and 7.6% free-run eggs in 2009 compared with a Print Measurement Bureau consumer survey that showed combined 8% consumption of cage-free specialty eggs in 2007. Results of our survey indicated that, compared with consumers of white regular eggs, consumers of free-range eggs came from smaller households and had a higher education level and income. These consumers indicated that factors of health, nutritional value, environmental issues, and animal welfare were important in egg type selection. Although most consumers rated the specialty eggs as having a higher nutritional value than white regular eggs, price became the most important deciding factor for those consumers who selected white regular eggs. Our findings indicate that increased consumption and increased differentiation exist in the table egg market and this in turn provides support for more research to increase the efficiency of cage-free egg production systems and for better consumer education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the new trend for local and organic produce has transformed the landscape of fruit and vegetable purchasing. To this effect, "local" and "organic" logos have become the norm in many retail outlets. To examine the effects of different "local" and "organic" logos on Canadian consumers, a consumer survey was used to identify preferences for various external attributes and to identify consumer segments within the buyers of both local and organic purchasers. Our results indicate that the "Foodland Ontario" logo has the largest effect on likelihood of purchase and also increases willingness to pay within the overall sample. Furthermore, there are gender, region, and income differences associated with the likelihood of purchase and willingness to pay given various logos. Through this study, three consumer segments were identified, "Confident in Produce Produced in Ontario," "In Organic We Trust," and "Socially Responsible Locavores," each of which has their own preferences for external characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]