Market potential and challenges for wastewater aquaculture in Peru

• Published in: Aquaculture international 2022-12, Vol.30 (6), p.3195-3212
• Main Authors: Danso, George, Boaitey, Albert, Otoo, Miriam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquaculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Data collection; Fish; Freshwater; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Freshwater fish; Freshwater fishes; Households; Inland water environment; Life Sciences; Marketing; Polyculture (aquaculture); Stratified sampling; Surveying; Sustainability; Value chains; Wastewater; Wastewater aquaculture; Zoology
• ISSN: 0967-6120; 1573-143X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10499-022-00956-x

This paper explores the potential market opportunities and challenges facing the commercialization of wastewater aquaculture systems in Peru. Peru produces large volumes of wastewater that can be reused to produce fish. However, the long-term sustainability of wastewater aquaculture value chains requires an understanding of consumer preferences and perceptions about product, market and institutional factors. We focus on the role of consumers in wastewater fish value chains and their preferences for different quality and regulatory attributes. The study utilizes data from a field survey conducted in Lima, Peru. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to interview 443 households. A choice experiment was conducted as part of the data collection. Fish attributes analyzed included price, certification, and source. Data on households’ health and environmental perceptions, and trust in regulatory institutions were also collected. The empirical results indicate that household perceptions about the quality of wastewater fish differs by marketing source. We find a strong preference for direct marketing channels. We also find that concerns about the safety of wastewater fish is at the forefront of household considerations. Willingness to pay for wastewater fish was positive but lower than wild and freshwater fish.