Determination of households fish consumption structure and purchase behaviors in urban areas of Van

Abstract

This study has been carried out to determine the household fish consumption structure and purchase behaviors in urban areas of Van Province. The main data of this study has been compiled through questionnaires from 260 households. In the analysis of the data, frequency tables, chi-square independence test were used and the relationships between the quantity of fish consumption of the households and some socio–demographic categorical variables have been examined through f and t tests. It has been determined that 89.2 % of the participating households consume fish while 10.8 % do not. Nearly a third (35.7 %) of the households that do not consume fish do so for the smell of the fish. 84.1 % of the households consume fish in winter. 87.2 % consume fresh fish while 40 % consume fish by frying. Mostly preferred fish are anchovy, trout and tarek respectively. It has been determined that the amounts of fish consumption per month per household and per person are 6.3 kg and 1.4 kg respectively. It has also been determined that households with children, employed head and owning the house consume more fish than those households without children, unemployed head and tenants. Keywords: Fish consumption, socio-demographic factors, consumer preferences, consumer analysis, Van