Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preferences of Romanian consumers when purchasing agri-food products, with a focus on products from family farms, and to identify pathways for promoting family farms’ outputs for enhancing the development of rural areas and the local economy. For this...

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Main Authors: Eduard Alexandru Dumitru, Cristina Maria Sterie, Steliana Rodino, Marian Butu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/8/1478
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author Eduard Alexandru Dumitru
Cristina Maria Sterie
Steliana Rodino
Marian Butu
author_facet Eduard Alexandru Dumitru
Cristina Maria Sterie
Steliana Rodino
Marian Butu
author_sort Eduard Alexandru Dumitru
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this study was to investigate the preferences of Romanian consumers when purchasing agri-food products, with a focus on products from family farms, and to identify pathways for promoting family farms’ outputs for enhancing the development of rural areas and the local economy. For this, a survey was carried out using a questionnaire as the main tool. Firstly, the data collected were analysed from a descriptive point of view. Then, multiple linear regression and the chi-square test were used to determine the relationships between variables, and ANOVA was used to identify significant differences between groups. The results revealed that consumers with a higher level of education are more confident in certified products and are better informed, with a greater ability to distinguish certified from non-certified products through logos. Finally, the results indicate an opportunity for family farms to sell their products for a higher price within a secure market, mainly in urban areas. However, for this to happen, it is necessary to implement a quality scheme, highlighting the origin and originality of the product (product obtained from a family farm, including logo) coupled with awareness campaigns on the advantages that this product has, both for the consumer and the farmer or the region it comes from. These aspects could improve the development of rural areas from all points of view.
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spelling doaj.art-92dde91db9184a419a0ff0323813d8462023-11-18T23:50:40ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722023-07-01138147810.3390/agriculture13081478Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family FarmsEduard Alexandru Dumitru0Cristina Maria Sterie1Steliana Rodino2Marian Butu3Research Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, 010961 Bucharest, RomaniaResearch Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, 010961 Bucharest, RomaniaResearch Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, 010961 Bucharest, RomaniaResearch Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, 010961 Bucharest, RomaniaThe purpose of this study was to investigate the preferences of Romanian consumers when purchasing agri-food products, with a focus on products from family farms, and to identify pathways for promoting family farms’ outputs for enhancing the development of rural areas and the local economy. For this, a survey was carried out using a questionnaire as the main tool. Firstly, the data collected were analysed from a descriptive point of view. Then, multiple linear regression and the chi-square test were used to determine the relationships between variables, and ANOVA was used to identify significant differences between groups. The results revealed that consumers with a higher level of education are more confident in certified products and are better informed, with a greater ability to distinguish certified from non-certified products through logos. Finally, the results indicate an opportunity for family farms to sell their products for a higher price within a secure market, mainly in urban areas. However, for this to happen, it is necessary to implement a quality scheme, highlighting the origin and originality of the product (product obtained from a family farm, including logo) coupled with awareness campaigns on the advantages that this product has, both for the consumer and the farmer or the region it comes from. These aspects could improve the development of rural areas from all points of view.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/8/1478family farmconsumers’ willingness to paypreferencespromotion
spellingShingle Eduard Alexandru Dumitru
Cristina Maria Sterie
Steliana Rodino
Marian Butu
Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
Agriculture
family farm
consumers’ willingness to pay
preferences
promotion
title Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
title_full Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
title_fullStr Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
title_full_unstemmed Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
title_short Consumer Preferences in the Purchase of Agri-Food Products: Implications for the Development of Family Farms
title_sort consumer preferences in the purchase of agri food products implications for the development of family farms
topic family farm
consumers’ willingness to pay
preferences
promotion
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/8/1478
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AT cristinamariasterie consumerpreferencesinthepurchaseofagrifoodproductsimplicationsforthedevelopmentoffamilyfarms
AT stelianarodino consumerpreferencesinthepurchaseofagrifoodproductsimplicationsforthedevelopmentoffamilyfarms
AT marianbutu consumerpreferencesinthepurchaseofagrifoodproductsimplicationsforthedevelopmentoffamilyfarms