Beef Consumers Behaviour and Preferences—The Case of Portugal

Teresa Paiva,Telma A Jacinto,Paula Coutinho,Mafalda Cruz Sarraguça

doi:10.3390/su14042358

Abstract

Meat consumption is estimated to increase worldwide, mostly because of the increase in population. Further, this increase in meat consumption will ultimately affect the environment and aggravate climate change. Herein, consumers’ behaviour was studied to understand if consumers would consider a change in their dietary habits by choosing beef from the Portuguese autochthonous bovine breed or even reducing their meat intake for environmental reasons. In 2021, a survey was conducted online and in some food sales outlets in Portugal. Therefore, data collected from the 491 participants were analysed with the aim of assessing the Portuguese consumer behaviour and preferences on beef. Firstly, we conducted a descriptive analysis. Then, factor analysis was performed by principal component analysis. Finally, by cluster analysis, we attempted to identify a group of consumers with different behaviours into specific categories. Although it was not possible to segregate consumers into different categories, most of the respondents agree that meat consumption harms the environment; however, just 30.6% are willing to reduce meat consumption due to environmental reasons. As for the concerns for animal welfare, respondents between the age of 23 and 49 years seem to have a greater concern towards animal welfare. To value autochthonous bovine Jarmelista meat, it is fundamental to implement a concerted communication between suppliers and producers to value Jarmelista beef. Furthermore, it is also important that regional governmental institutions support local producers not only for financial support but also to create strategies to protect the breed from extinction.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilTendencies in beef consumption behaviour are estimated to grow between 2019 and2024
Our study focuses on the autochthonous breed of Jarmelo beef, which, being of sustainable production, is less attractive as a means of production owing to its low economic profitability due to the lower yield of the breed
The characterisation of the Jarmelista meat value chain was carried out through observation and interviews with ACRIGUARDA, as well as through surveys of its players to understand how the links were established between breeders, slaughtering, distribution, commercialisation companies, and how the increased value to the final product was processed throughout the entire chain

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilTendencies in beef consumption behaviour are estimated to grow between 2019 and2024. Tendencies in beef consumption behaviour are estimated to grow between 2019 and. Sustainable consumption is presently a consumer trend in different goods and in food. Consumers seek food that has a sustainable component that varies between their ecological production, food processing, packaging, and waste residues. Biological food is a growing trend [3,4] and in Europe is reaching a mature market status [5], and meat is the third most requested type of biological food [6]. Biological food in Portugal is becoming more appealing to consumers but in terms of beef production is not well developed yet since it seems that even the youngest do not express intentions or iations

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Discussion

Conclusion