Determination of consumers' consumption levels and habits for bee products: a case study of Isparta province, Turkey

Abstract

In the study, it was aimed to determine consumers’ consumption levels and habits for bee products in urban areas of Isparta province in Turkey. The main material of the study consisted of the data obtained from surveys, which were conducted by face-to-face interviews with 246 consumers in Isparta city centre. As a result of the research, it was determined that 79.27% of the surveyed consumers consumed bee products and mainly preferred extracted flower honey (45.13%) and comb honey (30.26%). The annual honey consumption was calculated as 1.94 kg and the honey consumption per capita increased when the consumers’ income groups rose. It was identified that the vast majority of the surveyed consumers purchased honey and other bee products from supermarkets and directly from the producers. The majority of consumers preferred glass jars in purchasing honey as packaging and 41.03% of them did not read the label on the package. Consumers stated that 46.70% of them cared about the brand while purchasing honey and other bee products. When the consumers’ information sources were examined, it was seen that 60% of them obtained information from the television. It was also determined that 11.28% of the interviewed consumers consumed other bee products (pollen, propolis, etc.). It was found that consumers consumed the bee products except honey more with the aim of better health. It was concluded that the consumption of the other bee products except honey was insufficient and therefore promotion activities should be focused to increase the consumption of these products.