مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - A Research on Consumer Preferences in Olive Oil: Case Study for Dikili District of Izmir

Abstract :

Objective: The fact that the olive orchard grows in the Mediterranean and other similar regions, results in the emergence of certain regions in the production and consumption of olive oil. In this study olive oil consumption preferences of consumers who live in four neighborhoods which have different socioeconomic features in the province of Dikili, İzmir province where olive and olive oil production are made in significant quantities, were examined. The aim of the study is to reveal consumers’ consumption of olive oil according to income groups and neighborhoods and to try to determine the trends related to olive oil consumption in terms of some social characteristics. Material and Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 123 consumers identified by using the proportional sampling formula. The data were analyzed with simple statistical methods. Results: In this study where olive oil consumption and olive oil consumption behaviors of c onsumers in İzmir province are examined, it is determined that olive oil usage frequency differs according to income and living standards, the prevalence of olive production and local food culture and habits have a direct effect on olive oil consumption. Conclusion: Consumers should be taken into account in factors such as income, levels of consciousness and food cultures for increasing consumption. In addition, increasing the number of studies on olive oil consumption in regions with different socio-economic and cultural characteristics can help policy makers in decision-making.