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Consumers’ Attitude towards Sustainable Food Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Iulia C. Muresan

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Rezhen Harun

    (Department of Agribusiness and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Sciences Engineering, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani 5100, Iraq)

  • Felix H. Arion

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Anca Monica Brata

    (Department of Engineering of Food Products, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru St., 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • Ioan Aurel Chereches

    (Department of Automotive Engineering and Transports, Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Bulevardul Muncii 103-105, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Gabriela O. Chiciudean

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Diana E. Dumitras

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Camelia F. Oroian

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Olivia Paula Tirpe

    (Department of Animal Husbandry and Agritourism, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, 26 Gen. Magheru St., 410087 Oradea, Romania)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected consumers’ behavior worldwide. This paper aims to analyze consumers’ sustainable food behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was based on an online survey during May–October 2020 among 859 Romanian consumers. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were employed to group the consumers based on their behavior. Furthermore, the binary-logistic regression was used to identify the socio-demographic profile of the identified groups. Based on the cluster analysis, the consumers were grouped into three main groups: indifferent, pro-environment protection, and health concerned. The results indicate a positive attitude towards sustainable food behavior. Consumers’ attitude towards sustainable food choice is mainly influenced by age and education level. The study offers valuable information for future public policy and marketing campaign regarding sustainable food behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Iulia C. Muresan & Rezhen Harun & Felix H. Arion & Anca Monica Brata & Ioan Aurel Chereches & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Diana E. Dumitras & Camelia F. Oroian & Olivia Paula Tirpe, 2021. "Consumers’ Attitude towards Sustainable Food Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:11:p:1050-:d:664892
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Ioan Aurel Chereches & Iulia Diana Arion & Iulia C. Muresan & Ferenc Gaspar, 2023. "Study of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Quality: A Case Study in Cluj-Napoca, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Cristina Chifor & Iulia D. Arion & Vlad I. Isarie & Felix H. Arion, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review on European Food Quality Schemes in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Laiza Andriolo da Rocha Ramos & Francesco Zecca & Claudio Del Regno, 2022. "Needs of Sustainable Food Consumption in the Pandemic Era: First Results of Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.
    6. Umar Nawaz Kayani & Anamul Haque & Umme Kulsum & Nishat Taslin Mohona & Fakhrul Hasan, 2023. "Modeling the Antecedents of Green Consumption Values to Promote the Green Attitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.

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