Greek consumer's image of the cultured mussel market
In: Aquaculture International. Springer: London. ISSN 0967-6120; e-ISSN 1573-143X, more
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Keywords |
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Author keywords |
aquaculture; attitudes; Greece; mussel consumption; preferences;research |
Authors | | Top |
- Batzios, Ch.
- Angelidis, P.
- Papapanagiotou, E.P.
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- Moutopoulos, D.K.
- Anastasiadou, Ch.
- Chrisopolitou, V.
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Abstract |
The Greek mussel culture industry has experienced rapid development during the last decade. Over the past 4 years, it has also been faced with significant problems mainly due to toxic phytoplankton bloom incidents responsible for the occurrence of Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). Greek consumers show a particularly negative reaction to the toxic phytoplankton bloom phenomenon by not eating mussels, even if an interdiction imposed by the veterinary authorities has expired. With the aim of a more detailed investigation of the Greek consumer's image of the cultured mussel market, a survey was conducted to provide information on consumer behaviour. This paper reports the outcome of a study, which is based on two approaches: qualitative and quantitative research, conducted in the area of Katerini and Greater Thessaloniki. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ2) tests (cross-tabulation) to examine the relation between consumers' demographic and socio-economic characteristics and mussel safety/quality and marketing aspects. Analyses have shown that consumers display different attitudes and preferences towards mussel purchase, which vary considerably according to their demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The results are significant for the producers and marketers of mussels and could help them to plan efficient marketing strategies, make a better use of available resources and identify new business opportunities. |
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