Perceptions of Rural Consumers on the Aspects of Meat Quality and Health Implications Associated With Meat Consumption

Nomasonto M. Xazela, Arno Hugo, Upenyu Marume and Voster Muchenje
Additional contact information
Nomasonto M. Xazela: Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
Arno Hugo: Department of Microbial Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Upenyu Marume: School of Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, P. Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Voster Muchenje: Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, P. Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the perceptions of rural low-income consumers on meat quality and health issues associated with meat consumption. A total of 466 consumers in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province (South Africa (SA)) were randomly sampled, and principal component analyses (PCA) were used to analyse the data. With regard to purchasing decisions, correlation analysis was performed to establish the relationships between actual scores and mean scores so as to determine purchase motives and decisions. The major purchase point mentioned by all consumers was the supermarket (65%), and the reasons were that this purchase point was the most hygienic and the meat was fresh (35%). The estimated relationship showed a significant association between products consumed at home and the source of income of consumers. With regard to consumption patterns and health issues, most consumers were aware of nutritional balance issues (64%), and most were aware of the health risks associated with meat consumption (59%). It was concluded that consumer perceptions on the meat quality aspects associated with health and consumption patterns are affected by disposable income and cultural background.

Keywords: meat quality; consumption patterns; consumers; purchase decision (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:5:p:830-:d:98703

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