A recent study conducted by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) has highlighted the growing demand for transparency among seafood consumers. According to the research, a significant majority—close to 89%—expressed a desire for more detailed insights into how their seafood is produced. This strong consumer interest in supply chain information is creating new opportunities for producers to adopt blockchain technology as a means to build greater trust.
The NSC’s findings indicate that decentralized blockchain platforms are well-positioned to transform how information is shared across the seafood industry. By enabling transparent communication of a product’s origin and movement through the supply chain, blockchain systems offer a secure and traceable path from source to supermarket. This level of openness, according to the council, could substantially improve consumer confidence and support more sustainable purchasing habits.
Technology Enables a Transparent Value Chain
Producers are increasingly turning to blockchain to enhance visibility at every stage of the seafood value chain. Blockchain platforms can provide detailed, tamper-proof records of a product’s lifecycle—information that includes where the seafood originated, how it complies with environmental regulations, and the various steps it undergoes before reaching consumers.
Several high-profile initiatives are helping advance this trend on a global scale. For instance, the FAIRR Seafood Traceability Engagement, a $6.5 trillion investor-backed coalition, is working closely with major seafood suppliers to increase industry transparency. In parallel, technology firms such as IBM Food Trust and Provenance are deploying blockchain-based systems that have already gained traction in various international seafood markets. These platforms aim to encourage traceability and help consumers make informed decisions by offering real-time access to data about sustainable practices.
Documenting the Entire Seafood Journey
Blockchain’s potential goes beyond tracing the origin of seafood. The technology enables producers to document every key aspect of the production process. This includes variables such as egg quality, oxygen levels in the water, feeding schedules, and fish health metrics. Once the seafood leaves the farm, its entire logistics trail—from transport to shelf placement—can also be recorded.
This comprehensive data creates a permanent digital footprint for each seafood item, allowing producers to provide verifiable proof of quality and sustainability. It represents a shift toward full-chain transparency, where information is both immutable and consistently available for all stakeholders in the supply chain.
Enhanced Security and Standardization
One of the key advantages of blockchain over traditional data systems lies in its ability to store information securely and uniformly. With encryption and time-stamping features, blockchain entries are protected against tampering and can be accessed in chronological order. This method of data storage supports easy comparison and auditing across different producers, supply partners, and distributors, thereby streamlining compliance and improving efficiency.
Responding to Global Trends in Consumer Behavior
Blockchain’s role in fostering trust and traceability is just one element of the NSC’s broader analysis in its latest annual trends report, Navigating the World of Megatrends. This publication explores how global developments—ranging from technological innovations to environmental and social shifts—are shaping the future of seafood consumption.
An NSC analyst specializing in global consumer behavior noted that brand resilience increasingly depends on the ability to earn and maintain consumer trust. He emphasized that trust often stems from a brand’s perceived authenticity, which can be reinforced through transparent communication. According to the analyst, the current demand for openness presents seafood producers with a unique opportunity to share compelling, real-world narratives that resonate with ethically and environmentally conscious consumers.
As blockchain technology continues to mature, it may well become an essential tool for bridging the gap between sustainable practices and consumer expectations in the global seafood industry.
