Consumer behaviour and expectations of potato varieties in Mauritius[Comportements et attentes des consommateurs vis-à-vis des variétés de pomme de terre à Maurice]

The specific aim of the FoodSec-Semence project (2021-2025) in the Indian Ocean is to improve farmers' access to quality seeds and seedlings. In Mauritius, the project focuses on two crops considered strategic at national level:potatoes and beans. This report presents the results obtained for potatoes under Activity 1, which aims to acquire in-depth knowledge of the seed industry, the agro-economic context and farmers' seed needs and expectations. Surveys were carried out in 2022 among the main stakeholders in the potato, consumption and seed sectors, and in particular among growers and consumers. This report presents the specific results of the survey of 151 consumers in 2022, which was carried out to identify the attitudes and expectations of this type of stakeholder with regard to potatoes. The results confirm the importance of potatoes in the eating habits of Mauritians, who buy fresh potatoes regularly and frequently (70% buy them once a week or more), with the quantities bought, at each purchase, varying between 1 and 2 kg for more than half (57%) of consumers. Finally, 73% of consumers surveyed say they eat potatoes at least twice a week. Among consumers, 32% say they have a preference for certain varieties, i.e. around one in three consumers. Consumers are largely in favor of local products (national production but also local varieties). A proportion of them would even be prepared to pay a little more for them, all factors favorable to the development of the potato seed sub-sector.