CRAWFISH PROCESSOR PREFERENCES FOR THE ADOPTION OF A POTENTIAL CRAWFISH PEELING MACHINE: A CONJOINT ANALYSIS

Louisiana crawfish processors' preferences for hypothetical crawfish peeling machines are evaluated using conjoint analysis. Of 5 attributes considered, deveining was the most important attribute. Retention of the hepatopancreas (fat), whether individual handling of crawfish was required, and retention of the backstrap were of roughly equal importance. Whether the machine was owned or leased was the least important attribute. The most preferred machine deveined, retained the hepatopancreas, did not require individual handling of crawfish, retained the backstrap, and was owned, though the ownership variable was not significant at the 0.05 level.