Market Needs of Crabmeat Dealers: Implications for Maryland's Crab ProcessingIndustry

摘要

The Chesapeake Bay region has long been the leader in the United States crabmeatmarket. Increased competition has forced Maryland and Virginia producers to seek ways to differentiate their product from other producers in order to maintain higher price levels. Just what attributes of Chesapeake Bay crabmeat products are important to dealers in the northeast was the subject of a survey the authors conducted in 1992. They conducted a survey of Maryland crabmeat processors in the summer of 1992 to determine their opinions on the major problems facing their industry. The results indicate that crabmeat dealers are most interested in consistent quality so that the label on a container accurately describes the product inside. The survey of Maryland crab meat processors indicates more of a primary concern with keeping competition out of the state than ensuring a higher quality product.