Food Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Statistical Analysis of Consumer Survey Data from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tarek Ben Hassen, Hamid El Bilali, Mohammad S. Allahyari, Darjan Karabašević, Adriana Radosavac, Sinisa Berjan, Željko Vaško, Pavle Radanov and Ibrahim Obhođaš
Additional contact information
Tarek Ben Hassen: Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
Hamid El Bilali: International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), 70010 Valenzano, Italy
Mohammad S. Allahyari: Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht 41476-54919, Iran
Darjan Karabašević: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia
Adriana Radosavac: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia
Sinisa Berjan: Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, 71126 Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Željko Vaško: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pavle Radanov: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia
Ibrahim Obhođaš: Faculty of Information Technology, University Vitez, 72270 Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: Bosnia and Herzegovina has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing quarantine and other social distancing measures. These measures, however, have mental, social, and economic consequences on diet and food behaviors. The Bosnian case is particularly pertinent since the country has one of the highest global mortality rates relative to its population. In addition, its health system is fragmented and under-resourced. Consequently, in this study, we analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bosnians’ behaviors relating to food. It is based on an online survey performed during October–November 2020 with 3133 adult respondents. The statistical analysis encompassed descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and frequencies), as well as cluster analysis. The results reveal that the pandemic transformed consumers’ shopping behaviors and food sourcing, reducing shopping frequency and increasing food bought on each trip. Furthermore, there was an increase in the consumption of local food items due to food safety concerns. Additionally, the pandemic improved the awareness of Bosnians towards food with a decrease in food waste. Regarding diets, Bosnians tried to have healthier diets during the pandemic. Therefore, COVID-19 might have opened a ‘window of opportunity’ to promote the shift towards more sustainable food consumption and lifestyles.

Keywords: COVID-19; diet; food behavior; food shopping; food waste; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Balkans (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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