Consumer Perception and Behaviour regarding Sustainable Agri-Foods Consumption

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Security and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3264

Special Issue Editors

Sensory Science Centre, Division of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Leicestershaire LE12 5RD, UK
Interests: consumer behaviours; motivations and barriers to protein alternatives; sweet liking; multimodel sensory perception
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Interests: Sensory and consumer science methodologies; individual variation in sensory perception; sustainable eating barriers; digital innovations in sensory and consumer science; psychophysics; nutrition; dietary behaviours across lifespan
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In a world facing mounting environmental challenges due to climate change, sustainable food consumption has received increasing attention to ensure the sustainable growth of both present and future generations. It is critical to increase the production and consumption of more sustainable, nutritious, and palatable food sources to help the health of both people and the planet. Meeting the need for more sustainable consumption has a range of challenges, but it also provides new opportunities. Transitioning towards sustainable food consumption requires collaboration and innovation across society, from government, farmers, and food industries to the community and individual consumers. Understanding consumer perceptions of different sustainable resources (e.g., plant-based, lab-grown meat, precision fermentation diary, edible insects, etc.) and motivations and barriers to food choice can provide valuable insights for developing tailored strategies for different consumer groups, aiding in effective transitioning. This Special Issue aims to bring together researchers across different disciplines to highlight how their work can contribute to a sustainable food system, particularly focusing on consumer perception and behaviour toward different sustainable food sources, as well as exploring consumer segmentation.

Dr. Qian Yang
Dr. Julia Low
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • sustainable practices in sensory and consumer science
  • protein alternatives
  • sustainable ingredients
  • sustainable diets
  • sustainable foods
  • sustainable packaging
  • consumer insights and barriers to sustainable consumption
  • digital innovation in sensory and consumer research
  • cultural, societal, and personal values/traits influence sustainable choice
  • neophobia, disgust, emotional association
  • perceived health, nutritional and sensory properties of sustainable food choice

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
Consumer Perceptions and Sustainability Challenges in Game Meat Production and Marketing: A Comparative Study of Slovakia and the Czech Republic
by Martin Němec, Marcel Riedl, Jaroslav Šálka, Vilém Jarský, Zuzana Dobšinská, Milan Sarvaš, Zuzana Sarvašová, Jozef Bučko and Martina Hustinová
Foods 2025, 14(4), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14040653 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 499
Abstract
Game meat production represents a unique opportunity to align ecological sustainability with the growing consumer demand for sustainable agri-food products. This study focuses on the perspectives of processors and landowners in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, examining their views on market trends, customer [...] Read more.
Game meat production represents a unique opportunity to align ecological sustainability with the growing consumer demand for sustainable agri-food products. This study focuses on the perspectives of processors and landowners in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, examining their views on market trends, customer behaviours, barriers, and sustainability challenges. Focusing on these key stakeholders, the study highlights their central role as key drivers in shaping and sustaining the game meat value chain. This research combines secondary data analysis and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to provide a comprehensive understanding of the game meat sector. Findings highlight that, while game meat is valued for its organic and sustainable qualities, barriers such as limited consumer awareness, high costs, and regulatory constraints hinder its market potential. The study reveals the vital role of consumer education, branding, and the development of value-added products in bridging the gap between ecological management and sustainable market growth. Moreover, the research underscores the need for tailored policies to address structural inefficiencies, promote collaboration across the value chain, and enhance accessibility to sustainable game meat products. By aligning production and marketing strategies with consumer preferences, the sector can contribute significantly to sustainable agri-food systems while supporting rural economies and biodiversity conservation. This study provides actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable practices and consumer engagement in the game meat market. Full article
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27 pages, 3759 KiB  
Article
Perception, Trust, and Motivation in Consumer Behavior for Organic Food Acquisition: An Exploratory Study
by Elena Moroșan, Violeta Popovici, Ioana Andreea Popescu, Adriana Daraban, Oana Karampelas, Liviu Marian Matac, Monica Licu, Andreea Rusu, Larisa-Marina-Elisabeth Chirigiu, Sinziana Opriţescu, Elena Iuliana Ionita, Alina Saulean and Maria Nitescu
Foods 2025, 14(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14020293 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2253
Abstract
(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms [...] Read more.
(1) Background: A sustainable healthy diet assures human well-being in all life stages, protects environmental resources, and preserves biodiversity. This work investigates the sociodemographic factors, knowledge, trust, and motivations involved in organic food acquisition behavior. (2) Methods: An online survey via Google Forms platform, with 316 respondents, was conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2024. (3) Results: Our findings show that suitably informed people with high educational levels (academic and post-college) report significant satisfaction with organic food consumption (p < 0.05). There is also a considerable correlation between ages 25–65, moderate to high satisfaction, and “yes” for eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). The same satisfaction levels are associated with medium confidence in eco-food labels and a moderate to high monthly income (p < 0.05). Our results show that monthly income and residence are not essential factors in higher price perception. Insignificant price variation perception correlated with high confidence and weekly acquisition (p < 0.05). Similar price perception correlates with the highest confidence level and daily acquisition (p < 0.05). Obese respondents exhibited minimal satisfaction and opted for “abstention” from eco-food recommendations (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The present study extensively analyzed Romanian people’s knowledge, perception, and trust regarding organic foods. It demonstrates that sociodemographic factors differentiate consumers and influence attitudes and motivation for organic food acquisition. Full article
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