Consumers Have a Taste for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

INDIANOLA, Miss. (July 19, 2005) — The Catfish Institute has been tracking consumer consumption and preferences for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish and offered these comments in response to a recent study by Mississippi State University.

"The reported findings from Mississippi State don’t add up, given U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the fourth most popular fish in the country," according to Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute.

Consumers have voted with their wallets for their preference for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. The 2004 consumption figures compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Bureau of Census show sales of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish to foodservice and retail establishments totaled some 300 million pounds, while basa sales were a mere 9 million pounds. Further, a 2004 ORC Omnibus survey stated 91 percent of consumers surveyed prefer to purchase farm-raised catfish produced in the United States versus imported. The same survey showed that, by a 5 to 1 margin, American consumers agree, "I trust U.S. catfish farmers to raise the highest quality catfish in the world."

"These numbers clearly show American consumers have a taste and preference for U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish," Barlow said. "Every day the U.S. catfish industry stakes its reputation on the taste and versatility of this environmentally friendly product and obviously U.S. consumers agree."

In addition to the consistent, mild flavor of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, consumers value the high-quality environment in which the fish are raised. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish are produced in clay-based ponds filled with pure, fresh water, and are fed a highly regimented high-protein, grain-based diet."

Chef Evelyn Roughton, owner of popular catfish restaurant The Crown in Town in Indianola, Miss., said, "I choose to serve my customers U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish because I can count on its consistent, mild flavor every time. My customers always leave happy and satisfied."

<em>The Catfish Institute, formed by a group of farmer-owned catfish feed mills, conducts marketing programs on behalf of the U.S. catfish industry, including more than 1,000 farmers in 13 Southern states.</em>