Factors effecting primary choice of consumers in food purchasing: The Turkey case

The study has identified the difference between consumer characteristics and the selection of type of primary preference in food purchases in Turkey. Within the framework of utility maximization, an empirical model was specified and estimated using multinomial logit model. The estimation was based on the data collected household survey in June 2004. The results show that the age of respondents, gender of respondents, education and income level were among the important household characteristics influencing primary preference in food purchases. As a result, households who have high-income and high-education level more interested in food safety than households who have low-income and low-education level. In addition, female and old respondents are more interested in food safety than male and young respondents. It was suggested that the Turkish government should put into effect new arrangements such as providing financial credit at low-interest rate, reducing tax and encouraging investment for firm producing safety food.