Video: Proposed ban on Russian crab could have unintended consequences
SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton Aug 28, 2014
My friends in Alaska have called for a ban on Russian seafood imports in retaliation for Russia's ban on US food shipments. Despite the justice of this, I think it is a case of be careful what you wish for.
The seafood industry thrives on free trade - with US companies both exporting and importing huge amounts of seafood. For King crab, a shut down of Russian product - which supplies about 90% of the US demand - would destroy the market. After years in which the Deadliest Catch gave a huge boost to crab consumption, nothing would make consumers madder than boosting a product that is unavailable. No retailer or restaurant wants to put themselves in the position of making their customers mad - so there would be a massive migration away from King Crab ... to the ultimate detriment even of the Alaskan producers.
If an effective Russian boycott was actually implemented, it would destroy the king crab industry.
The companies, including retailers such as Costco, Kroger and others, would not invest in a product they could not keep on their shelves - and King crab would disappear from most places consumers see it.
Once that happens, it is very hard to win back loyalty, as consumers move on to other products. It would be cutting off our nose to spite our face. As seafood marketers who primarily rely on free trade around the world, this is not the best way to protect and preserve our American seafood markets.
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