RFM Certified — An Eco-Label That Can Drive Seafood Sales
Progressive Grocer: What is RFM Certification and why is it important for seafood retailers?
Megan Rider: Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) is one of the most credible and robust wild- capture sustainable seafood certification programs in the marketplace today. RFM Certification gives the entire supply chain — including grocery retailers and the customers they serve — proof that any seafood that carries the RFM logo comes from responsibly managed, certified sustainable fisheries. And it does that without charging licensing fees to use the logo, which most other seafood certification programs do.
PG: Do consumers really care about certification when they’re shopping for seafood?
MR: Absolutely! 46% of consumers overall and 55% of Milennials believe seafood certification is very/extremely important when making purchasing decisions. With 50% of Americans increasing their seafood consumption, proving that you source from certified sustainable fisheries is more important than ever — it really can help make your store a destination for seafood shoppers.
PG: So, shoppers want the seafood they buy to be certified. But do they know what RFM means?
MR: Yes! Research conducted by Datassential for the RFM Certification Program shows that the RFM eco-label has a significant impact on purchase. 71% of consumers are willing to pay more for seafood with the RFM eco-label and 44% would pay up to 20% more!
PG: How does Alaska Seafood fit into the picture?
MR: That same Datassential research shows that origin matters to seafood shoppers. 64% of U.S. consumers want to know the source/origin of seafood they purchase. Even more important for grocery retailers, 73% of affluent U.S. consumers and 66% of all U.S. consumers are more likely to purchase when they see the word ‘Alaska’.
RFM recognizes that origin is a key motivator for seafood purchase, so the RFM logo always includes place of origin — including for Alaska’s fisheries. 85% of consumers say including origin on RFM eco-label is important and 89% say the RFM eco- label drives purchase.
CAST OUT TO US
Contact ASMI at [email protected] Contact RFM at [email protected] alaskaseafood.org • rfmcertification.org