As of 2025, the U.S imports about 80% of its seafood, with domestic markets being vulnerable to global shocks and price fluctuations. In recent years, the U.S. marine aquaculture industry has faced new challenges for market demand with changing consumer preferences and supply chain disruptions, which are caused by factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events. Therefore, this study reevaluates the market demand for commercially significant marine aquaculture species such as red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), crawfish (Procambarus clarkii), and oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in the Gulf Coast states through restaurant and supermarket surveys.
This study determines the availability of red drum, oysters, and crawfish to restaurants and supermarkets along with assessing the market demand within the Gulf Coast states through a mixed mode survey (In-person, telephone, and online). The data collected includes purchase frequency, product attributes, availability, demand, as well as any challenges experienced by restaurants and supermarkets post Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis applies descriptive statistics and discrete logit models to identify and estimate restaurant and supermarket demand.