SCIENCE
A comparison of consumer preferences for cell-based seafood across European countries
11 October 2026 · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Sensory Analysis and Statistical Methods · Economic and Environmental Valuation
Researchers compared consumers’ willingness to buy cultivated seafood with their interest in wild-caught and farmed products in Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Hungary, since demand will shape the sector’s viability. A stated-choice experiment found marked differences between and within countries. Italians were least willing to buy cultivated options. Portuguese and Dutch participants showed moderate interest. Hungarians expressed no clear preference among the three production methods. The results suggest that European uptake will vary by market, requiring country-specific communication and policy.