Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SUCCESS (Strategic Use of Competitiveness towards Consolidating the Economic Sustainability of the european Seafood sector)

Teaser

SUCCESS is creating solutions to improve the competitiveness of the European fisheries and aquaculture sector. Although some potential for further expansion exists in both sectors, the supply-side of seafood markets is limited in the short term. At the same time demand for...

Summary

SUCCESS is creating solutions to improve the competitiveness of the European fisheries and aquaculture sector. Although some potential for further expansion exists in both sectors, the supply-side of seafood markets is limited in the short term. At the same time demand for seafood products is increasing. In a globalised economy, this situation should generate high opportunities for any seafood production activity but companies are facing key challenges, and the EU fisheries sector remains at low levels of profitability and sustainability. SUCCESS examines two strategies: (i) increasing demand for EU seafood products, especially improving the awareness of the advantages of European production; and (ii) changes in production systems. Thus development of world markets as well as consumer preferences and awareness are analysed. Additionally, SUCCESS is looking at the whole value chain to assess potential for improvements in competitiveness. These analyses include long term predictions about the viability of production systems and are presented specific case studies.

Work performed

Most of the work scheduled for the first period has been successfully achieved:
1.The SUCCESS modelling toolbox (D1.3) combined for the first time three different models: two existing macro models (AGMEMOD and MAGNET) and one reinterpreted micro model developed as part of the project (the so-called ‘MC-Approach’ or ‘marginal cost approach’).
2.Importance and impacts of Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) on the whole seafood sector have been analysed through the development of a full database (desk analysis) and interviews of key representatives from the policy arena (European Level) and from the industry. An internal workshop has been organized on NTM and a survey has been developed to collect novel information.
3.A first report on the economic patterns of seafood consumption and demand (D2.1) analyses the consumption functions for the period 1990–2011 and covers the main species involved in the project’s case studies.
4.In order to further analyse consumer preferences:
a.An online survey has been launched in 8 countries. Preliminary results were presented in international conferences (IIFET 2016, Aquaculture Europe 2016).
b.Analysis of culinary TV programs’ impact on consumer preferences through an online survey launched in 3 countries (FR, UK and IT). Preliminary results for France were presented at IIFET 2016 and EAFE 2015).
c.Analysis of seafood in primary school canteens (France) through a large survey. Further data are collected in Greece and Spain.
5.In Greece, the development of a new type of packaging for ‘unvalved mussels’ has been investigated and in Sicily the improvement and dissemination of a technique to increase the product’s shelf life has been explored.
6.Production systems have been analysed through:
a.Description of regulation and management systems in place in countries covered by the project (D3.1)
b.Description of production systems involved in the project’s case studies (D3.2)
7.Some initiatives have been developed to identify and qualify the potential non-market values (NMV) especially some work has been launched for traditional inland aquaculture (Germany and Poland) and Coastal Fisheries (France).
8.A description of the value-chains has been undertaken at 2 levels (D4.1):
a.Description of the ‘general’ or ‘typical’ value-chain
b.Description of the value-chain associated to the project’s case studies
9.Primary data have been collected at both the general and specific case study levels. A initial study, done with the FAO, has been completed on price integration in international seafood trade (http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5955e.pdf). Preliminary results were presented at IIFET 2016 and World Aquaculture 2016.
10. An explanatory work has been conducted to understand market power effects on European fish and seafood processors’ incomes and margins (D4.2).
11.The relevant stakeholders have been identified and involved (perceptions (D9.2) and needs (D7.1) collection) in order to efficiently match the project’s activities to stakeholders’ interests.
12.As a communication and dissemination tool, several films on Success Stories have been produced (http://www.success-h2020.eu/documentary/) to inform about and promote alternative practices from all over Europe.

Final results

1.Added-value of the modelling tool box is expected for:
a.the existing macro models (a ‘seafood’ dimension has been incorporated)
b.the coupling between the three models being developed in order to ensure the consistency of the approach and to generate more accurate simulations/forecasting
2.The NTM questionnaire should facilitate the collection of primary and innovative information from the industry and policy makers and generate complementary information to traditional methods.
3.The online survey (8 countries) on consumer perceptions and preferences analysis should generate important new knowledge (large survey and large range of topics investigated) whose outcomes could be especially of interest for the high level Galway Statement.
4.The work related to primary schools, impact of TV culinary programs and seafood collective representation is pioneering. Regional and local policy-makers (e.g. France) already have shown strong interest regarding collective restaurants’ analysis.
5.The development of new products is both expected to help respond to ‘new’ consumption patterns and generate direct impact on the industry (e.g. ‘unvalved’ mussels developed in Greece).
6.A lot of data about production systems analysis already exists, but the approach of SUCCESS is to challenge what exists and further develops it to focus on the competitiveness and sustainability of the production sector – thus making international and sectoral comparisons possible. The methodologies and results should also be of direct interest for newly-funded H2020 projects (e.g. TAPAS, VALUMICS…), as well as for industry and policy stakeholders.
7.In addition to STECF / AER data (publicly available), national/regional data are needed to define and estimate more accurate indicators of competitiveness. Results obtained through the project can clearly improve knowledge about the economic performance of the production system and one of the methodologies adapted from the agriculture sector (Agri- Benchmark) c also has some promising potential.
8.Partners’ contributions at case study levels definitely constitute an improvement in knowledge. The international dimension of the case studies is of particular interest, as it is expected to refine the analysis.
9.Methodologies developed for full value-chain understanding are expected to have some further impact, as suggested by the work done with and published by the FAO in 2016 (http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5955e.pdf).
10.The case studies are improving knowledge – for example exchanges with the EUMOFA show discrepancies between their published data and data collected by SUCCESS partners. This will generate impacts for the benefit of stakeholders (D7.1).
11.While some literature exists on objectives and needs of fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders, the work conducted to develop the inventory of stakeholders’ needs and perceptions (D7.1 and D9.2) goes further (such a compilation at European level appears to be rather unique). Findings are expected to be of direct use for industry and policy stakeholders, as well as for projects dealing with similar issues (e.g. TAPAS, VALUMIC).

Website & more info

More info: http://www.success-h2020.eu/.