DEMAND FOR LIVE AQUATIC PRODUCTS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES: AN ORDERED PROBIT ANALYSIS TOWARDS CONSUMERS' PREFERENCES

This study was designed to gather market information on customer attributes and the collective size and scope of live aquatic products markets in the Northeastern United States. The paper presents the results of socioeconomic characteristics of live aquatic products consumers and their preferences. According to market information, Asians have a higher per capita consumption of live aquatic products than the average American. Asian populations are growing rapidly in the Northeast, however, very little is known about purchasing habits and preferences of customers who frequent these markets or overall current and future market demand for live fish. The Ordered Probit Model presents the results of socioeconomic characteristics of live aquatic products consumers and their preferences towards the importance of year-round availability.