Purchasing attitudes for agro-food products and changing financial status during Covid-19 outbreak in Turkey

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic, which was underestimated at the beginning, had become worldwide in 2020 and affected lives in a devastating way. Thus it turned out to be the new corner point for the era we live in. Many challenges have become visible due to replicated or prolonged social distancing measures or lock-downs within 2020. Due to periodic medical information, many people changed their preferences from a consumption point of view and reducing physical activities have been a factor affecting the change. In this study, 499 individuals were surveyed online in July 2020 in Turkey to determine the change in their consumption preferences within the pandemic process. The linear relationship between changing amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) and animal products purchased and household income were compared due to Covid-19 encounter. The results indicated that not the level of income but the declination in income affected purchases and consumption of all varieties. Besides, share of the budget allocated to FFVs and meat and dairy products were assessed as well in relation to amounts consumed. Herewith, the amount of meat and dairies purchased and consumed by the audience were found to be related with the budget allocated.

Keywords

• purchasing
• preference
• Covid-19
• income
• FFVs
• meat
• dairies
• Turkey

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