Food-related consumer behaviours in times of crisis: Changes in the wake of the Ukraine war, rising prices and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

TY - JOUR

T1 - Food-related consumer behaviours in times of crisis

T2 - Changes in the wake of the Ukraine war, rising prices and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

AU - Grunert, Klaus G.

AU - Chimisso, Costanza

AU - Lähteenmäki, Liisa

AU - Leardini, Delphine

AU - Sandell, Mari A.

AU - Vainio, Annukka

AU - Vranken, Liesbet

PY - 2023/11

Y1 - 2023/11

N2 - When the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, the war in Ukraine led to further disruptions in consumers’ daily behaviours, with rising prices for food and energy. We conducted a survey study on self-reported changes in food-related consumer behaviour in ten European countries and compared the results to a similar study conducted two years ago. A latent class cluster analysis distinguished five clusters and showed that different types of consumers can be distinguished based on how they react to the crisis as regards their eating habits. 19% of survey participants reported no major changes, and 32% reported changes mostly in terms of more price sensitivity. Among those that reported changes beyond reacting to higher prices, there are indications of more mindful eating and more deliberate choices. The changes already found earlier in response to the COVID-19 pandemic therefore seem to have been strengthened and supplemented by reactions to price increases. The results present a challenge to the food industry in terms of supplying healthy and sustainable food at affordable prices.

AB - When the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, the war in Ukraine led to further disruptions in consumers’ daily behaviours, with rising prices for food and energy. We conducted a survey study on self-reported changes in food-related consumer behaviour in ten European countries and compared the results to a similar study conducted two years ago. A latent class cluster analysis distinguished five clusters and showed that different types of consumers can be distinguished based on how they react to the crisis as regards their eating habits. 19% of survey participants reported no major changes, and 32% reported changes mostly in terms of more price sensitivity. Among those that reported changes beyond reacting to higher prices, there are indications of more mindful eating and more deliberate choices. The changes already found earlier in response to the COVID-19 pandemic therefore seem to have been strengthened and supplemented by reactions to price increases. The results present a challenge to the food industry in terms of supplying healthy and sustainable food at affordable prices.

KW - Consumer behaviour

KW - COVID-19

KW - Crisis behaviour

KW - Food choice

KW - Price increases

KW - COVID-19/epidemiology

KW - Pandemics

KW - Consumer Behavior

KW - Humans

KW - Ukraine/epidemiology

KW - Food

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85170647900&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113451

DO - 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113451

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37803775

AN - SCOPUS:85170647900

SN - 0963-9969

VL - 173

JO - Food Research International

JF - Food Research International

IS - Part 2

M1 - 113451

ER -