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Trends in consumers? preferences towards fresh-cut vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic

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Listed:
  • Giulia Maesano
  • Manal Hamam
  • Biagio Pecorino
  • Gioacchino Pappalardo
  • Mario D'Amico
  • Gaetano Chinnici

Abstract

The fresh-cut sector has shown a positive trend in recent years, due to the "ease of use" and the increasing innovation in the quality and safety features of these products. However, in Italy, a negative trend was observed during the lockdown Covid-19. The objective of this study is to investigate consumer preferences for fresh-cut products and to identify the sensory and extrinsic attributes that influence consumer choice. It also examines whether consumer behaviour has changed during the lockdown Covid-19. An online questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 427 consumers. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to identify preferences for specific types of fresh-cut products; then, a factor analysis was conducted to highlight key socioeconomic variables and product attributes. Finally, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify homogeneous consumer groups. The results indicate that some attributes, including "ease of use", "texture" and "colour" show a high level of interest and appreciation by consumers. The outcomes also reveal that there has been a change in consumer attitudes during the lockdown Covid-19, mainly for reasons related to the difficulty in food procurement, the fear of contagion during purchasing occasion, and higher prices. The findings of this research contribute to the knowledge of consumers? behaviour towards fresh-cut products in the period of lockdown Covid-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Maesano & Manal Hamam & Biagio Pecorino & Gioacchino Pappalardo & Mario D'Amico & Gaetano Chinnici, 2022. "Trends in consumers? preferences towards fresh-cut vegetables during the Covid-19 pandemic," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 24(2), pages 1-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ecag2022oa13283
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Riccardo Testa & Giorgio Schifani & Giuseppina Migliore, 2021. "Understanding Consumers’ Convenience Orientation. An Exploratory Study of Fresh-Cut Fruit in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Goolsbee, Austan & Syverson, Chad, 2021. "Fear, lockdown, and diversion: Comparing drivers of pandemic economic decline 2020," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
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    4. José M. Lorente-Mento & Juan M. Valverde & María Serrano & María T. Pretel, 2022. "Fresh-Cut Salads: Consumer Acceptance and Quality Parameter Evolution during Storage in Domestic Refrigerators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Giuseppina Migliore & Vittorio Farina & Salvatore Tinervia & Giovanni Matranga & Giorgio Schifani, 2017. "Consumer interest towards tropical fruit: factors affecting avocado fruit consumption in Italy," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Vincenzo Girgenti & Stefano Massaglia & Angela Mosso & Cristiana Peano & Filippo Brun, 2016. "Exploring Perceptions of Raspberries and Blueberries by Italian Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, October.
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    1. Maria Jose Andrade-Cuvi & Cesar Montalvo & Carlota Moreno-Guerrero, 2023. "Vegetable and fruit consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown: eating habits in Ecuador," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.

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