STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TREND , 

 CORRELATION ANALYSIS, ETC . 



Important Factors Affecting the Demand For 

 Canned Tuna 



A detailed study of demand in the form of correlation and other 

 statistical analyses was also undertaken in the work on tuna consump- 

 tion done i n this study. EconoMc and statistical study in this respect 

 ■was supplemented with field contacts with distributors and others in the 

 tuna industry. As a result, a specific analysis of factors affecting 

 caniied tuna consumption has been made. Before going into this analysis 

 in its detail, a few generalizations about food consumption should be 

 inad3„ 



The individual's purchases in the market are colored by tastes, in- 

 come, and the relative prices of commodities available. In the broad 

 classification of food commodities, there is a plentitude of products for 

 the American consumer to choose from. The competition among foods is 

 keener than in other classes of goods because of the physiological limi- 

 tations of individual consumption aside from income considerations. Canned 

 tuna is competing for the consuaer's food dollar with all other food prod- 

 uct"^ However, it competes most directly with other protein foods. 



Those protein foods whose prices appear to have a stronger influence 

 on canned tuna sales include fresh and frozen fish, meats, poultry, eggs, 

 cheese, and all canned fish, particularly canned salmon. Interviews with 

 distributors of canned tuna and salmon, as well as statistical analyses, 

 point particularly to the close competitiveness between these two commodi- 

 ties. Recent smaller packs of salmon are one of the most important reasons 

 for increased sales of canned tuna. 



Per capita consumption of canned salmon (table 12) declined approxi- 

 mately 50 percent since 1941s vvhile the per capita consumption of canned 

 tuna tripled in the same period. The salmon pack has declined approximate- 

 ly three million standard cases from pre-war years because of diminished 

 salmon runs. In this sane period, the price of canned tuna declined in 

 relation to that of canned salmon. This is indicated by the data in table 

 12. The per capita consumption of canned tuna increased, as is shown 

 graphically in figure 10. Canned tuna became a more attractive buy for 

 the consumer. Price played a dominant part in increasing tuna con- 

 sumption, but the promotional work of the tuna industry, along with 



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