Attitudes and preferences regarding plant-based yoghurt analogues among Swedish consumers with different dietary habits

Abstract

This study evaluated drivers and barriers in consumer willingness to purchase plant-based yoghurt analogues (PBYA) and assessed the most important attributes of PBYA. Questionnaire data from 702 Swedish adults (19% vegan, 20% lacto-ovo-vegetarian, 21% flexitarian, 41% omnivore) showed that attitudes and preferences regarding PBYA differed between consumers with different dietary preferences. Animal welfare was an important driver for vegans, while interest in trying new foods was one of the main drivers for omnivores. All four consumer groups believed that PBYA is good for the environment. The main reasons indicated for not consuming PBYA were unpleasant taste and lack of motive to switch from dairy yoghurt to PBYA.All groups indicated taste, appearance and price as overall driving forces when choosing PBYA. The importance of some factors, such as local ingredients, few additives and low sugar content, was rated higher by flexitarians and omnivores than by vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians. These data about consumer attitudes and preferences regarding PBYA should be implemented during PBYA product development, especially when targeting different food preference groups.