The objectives of the study were to examine food waste generation and reduction efforts at home, and to identify factors affecting the intention to reduce food waste. A total of 3,321 food buyer responses were used from the 2022 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food of the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Statistical methods for a complex sample were applied by using a SPSS program (ver. 26.0). The average daily food waste generation per household significantly differed by the main food purchaser’s age and household size. Plate waste and food waste from preparation were the main types of food waste. A multiple regression analysis revealed that intention to reduce food waste was influenced by the main types of food waste, the average daily amount of food waste, the perceived amount of food waste, and the perceived importance of food waste reduction after adjusting for the age of the main food purchaser and household size. Since the amount of food waste was affected by a series of food behaviors as well as consumer’s intention to reduce waste, empirical research on the types and amounts of food waste generated in Korean households and qualitative research on behaviors and attitude affecting food waste are needed.

This study examined the intake status and the factors affecting intake of functional foods using the data from Consumer Behavior Survey for Food by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Among the total respondents, 80.4% took functional foods, and the number of respondents who took two types of functional foods was the highest. The main reason for taking functional foods was to prevent disease, and the main places of purchase of functional foods were off-line large supermarkets, on-line shopping malls, and pharmacies. Compared to a year ago, the percentage of increase in functional food purchases this year was higher than the percentage of decrease. The most common reasons for not taking functional foods were ‘not feeling the need’ and ‘not trusting the quality’. As a result of conducting a complex samples logistic regression analysis to identify the factors affecting the intake of functional foods, gender, age, marital status, illness state, alcohol drinking, and convenience-seeking type among dietary lifestyles were significant.

This study compared the dietary perceptions, food labeling behaviors, and purchasing patterns of vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The data from 5,811 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the 2023 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food were analyzed. The participants were divided into vegetarians and non-vegetarians according to their dietary practices. Vegetarians were further divided into strict, semi, and occasional vegetarians. Non-vegetarians regularly consumed plantand animal-based foods without dietary restrictions. Vegetarians comprised 15.4% of the participants, and health (50.4%) was the primary motivation for adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. Compared to non-vegetarians, vegetarians prioritized their rights and responsibilities as citizens and identified a vegetable-centered diet as the most crucial factor for health. Vegetarians showed greater interest and trust in food labeling than non-vegetarians. Vegetarians selected a wider variety of food and had different purchasing motivations when purchasing eco-friendly foods than non-vegetarians. Vegetarians exhibited higher purchase frequencies across all categories than non-vegetarians and had different reasons for purchasing convenience foods. These findings highlight the diversity of vegetarian dietary motivations and behaviors, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary policies and education.

This study examines consumer perceptions of vase life (VL) guarantees for cut flowers based on artificial intelligence (AI) predictions. Data were collected through surveys conducted in Osaka and Fukuoka, Japan, targeting both general customers and individuals in the flower industry. Results revealed that although awareness of AI technology was widespread, trust in AI’s ability to predict VL varied among customer groups. General customers in Fukuoka showed greater interest in VL guarantees, a willingness to pay higher prices, and higher trust levels in AI-based prediction systems compared with customers in Osaka. Conversely, flower industry professionals expressed less interest in VL guarantees and were less inclined to pay higher prices regarding AI systems, despite moderate trust in AI’s capabilities. Consumer preferences highlighted demand for VL guarantees, particularly in Osaka, whereas guarantees of up to 7 days were preferred. Notably, 48.3% of general customers favored a 7-day guarantee, whereas 44.7% of flower industry professionals preferred a 10-day guarantee. Understanding these differences in consumer perceptions of VL guarantees and AI can inform the development of effective guarantee systems for cut flowers and enhance public relations strategies in distribution and export markets.

This study analyzed the status of agrifood consumer competencies and the factors influencing them to provide useful information to improve the quality of life by strengthening the agrifood consumer competencies. The raw data of the 2022 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food collected by the Korea Rural Economic Research Institute were used. The data from 3,321 responses were used for the final analysis. Among the competencies, the average score of the cognitive and practical competencies were 3.543 and 3.459 points, respectively. In addition, the average scores of the specific areas within cognitive competency were 3.587 points for dietary competency, 3.557 points for civic competency, and 3.489 points for purchasing competency. Within practical competency, the average scores of the specific areas were 3.569 points for dietary competency, 3.422 points for civic competency, and 3.392 points for purchasing competency. Gender, age, monthly household income, marital status, administrative district, interest in health, and interest in food safety issues were the significant factors affecting the specific areas within cognitive competency. On the other hand, gender, age, educational level, monthly household income, marital status, administrative district, interest in food safety issues, and each of the areas within cognitive competency had a significant impact on the specific areas of practical competency.

The domestic swine industry is currently facing a threat due to the recent increase in pork imports. This study aims to determine what factors influence consumers' intention to consume imported pork and suggest measures to support the domestic pork industry. To achieve this, we analyzed data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumption Behavior Survey using a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that a higher intention to consume imported pork is linked to a higher intention to consume imported rice, purchasing meat online, frequent purchases of HMR, and procuring U.S. beef, especially among urban residents. On the other hand, a lower intention to consume imported pork is associated with a higher awareness of animal welfare certification, frequently dining out, and older age. Based on these findings, we propose the following response measures for the domestic swine industry: implementing educational programs, marketing, and advertising specifically targeting urban residents to improve their perception of domestic agricultural products; enhancing price competitiveness through distribution optimization; and developing policies to promote the use of domestic pork as an ingredient in processed foods.

This study was conducted to investigate whether there were differences in eco-friendly food, home meal replacement (HMR) purchases, and eating-out behavior according to the level of agri-food consumer competence. The data for the study were extracted from main food consumers (n=3,321) in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey. The competence index was divided into awareness-attitude-practice items, and three groups were classified by competence level. The results showed an agri-food consumer competency score of 70.62, with the highest score for awareness (73.96), followed by practice (69.28) and attitude (66.18). The frequency of purchasing eco-friendly food was higher in the excellent group compared to other groups, and quality and price satisfaction was higher with higher competency (p<0.001). Regarding HMR, the results showed that the shortage group had the lowest HMR consumption rate, and satisfaction decreased as competence decreased (p<0.001). The main reason for eating-out was to enjoy food in all groups (59.0%), followed by a lack of cooking time in the excellent group (15.7%) and hassle with food preparation in the moderate and shortage groups (17.3%, 16.6%) (p<0.001). In short, agri-food consumption competency showed differences by contents and components, and differences in food purchases and eating-out behavior by competency level were found.

This study examined the determinants of healthy food purchases before and after COVID-19 in Korea. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumer Behavior Survey data from 2019 to 2021. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the non-intake of healthy food in 2021 compared to 2019, suggesting the impact of COVID-19 on healthy food consumption. Consumption patterns also changed, with a decrease in direct purchases and an increase in gift-based purchases. Several variables showed significant effects on healthy food intake. Single-person households exhibited a higher probability of eating healthy food after COVID-19. The group perceiving themselves as healthy had a lower likelihood of consuming healthy food pre-COVID-19, but this changed after the pandemic. Online food purchases, eco-friendly food purchases, and nut consumption showed a gradual decrease in the probability of non-intake over time. Gender and age also influenced healthy food intake. The probability of eating healthy food increased in the older age group compared to the younger group, and the probability increased significantly after COVID-19. The probability of buying gifts was significantly higher in those in their 60s, indicating that the path to obtaining healthy food differed by age.

In this research, we examined the shifts in determinants influencing the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases pre- and post-COVID-19. Our analysis utilized filtered 2019-2021 Consumption Behavior Survey data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute Food, excluding any irrational responses. Given the nature of the dependent variable, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed with demographic factors, variables pertaining to food consumption behavior, and variables concerning food consumption awareness as predictors. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an individual's level of education was observed to positively influence the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases. In contrast, income level and fluctuations in food consumption expenditure did not appear to have a discernible impact on the purchasing frequency of such eco-friendly products. Irrespective of the advent of COVID-19, variables such as the frequency of online food purchases, the utilization of early morning delivery services, dining out frequency, and the intake of health-functional foods consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with the propensity to purchase eco-friendly foods. Overall, consumers prioritizing safety, quality, and nutrition over price, taste, and convenience in their procurement decisions for rice, vegetables, meat, and processed foods exhibit an increased inclination toward the acquisition of eco-friendly food products.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of the determinants for home meal replacement (HMR) purchase frequency before and after COVID-19. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to the 2018~2020 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI). Gender, age, number of households, monthly income, use of eating out, delivery and takeout order service, HMR food safety concern, the frequency of cooking at home, grocery shopping, and eating alone were applied as the explanatory variables to explain HMR purchase frequency. The results are as below. Compared to the previous year, the growth rate of HMR purchase frequency in 2020 was relatively high, indicating that the COVID-19 outbreak acted as a catalyst. Unlike in 2018 and 2019, there was no statistical difference in the HMR purchase frequency between single- and multi-person households in 2020, with indicating multi-person households began to emerge as one of the major HMR consumption groups. Unlike 2018, the 2020 HMR purchase frequency showed a statistically positive relationship with those of grocery shopping and eating alone. There was a positive relationship between the frequency of eating out/food delivery orders and HMR purchases. The more often cooking at home occurred, the less HMR food was purchased.

관상어는 최근 전 세계를 비롯하여 우리나라 관상어의 산업적, 사회적 가치가 재인식됨 으로써, 우리나라의 관상어 시장은 지속적으로 성장을 하고 있지만, 상품으로서는 일부 품종에만 한정되어있어 경쟁이 가능한 품종이 부족한 상태이다. 따라서 우리나라는 관상 어의 경쟁력을 확보해야 하고 뿐만 아니라 지속적인 홍보 전략 마련이 필요한 상황이다. 그리하여 본 연구는 한국 토종 담수 관상어의 대중화를 위해 일반인 10대부터 50대까지 의 다양한 연령대를 대상으로 온라인 설문조사를 실시하였다. 설문 결과, 한국 토종 담수어의 관심도는 ‘예’ 32%, ‘아니오’ 68%로 관심이 비교적 적 은 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 한국 담수 관상어의 개발현황 파악 인지도는 ‘예’ 18%, ‘아니 오’ 82%로 일반인 소비자 대부분이 개발현황 파악 인지를 하지 못 하고 있음을 알 수 있 었다. 또한, 우리나라의 소비자가 바라본 한국 담수 관상어의 개선방안은 ‘수입어종보다 아름다운 어종’ 88%, ‘홍보’ 76%, ‘사육난이도’ 43%, ‘분양비용’ 39%로 외관적인 개선과 홍보 전략이 높게 나타났다. 따라서 우리나라는 관상어의 대중화를 위해 한국 담수 관상 어의 외관적인 개선과 지속적인 홍보 전략 방안을 모색하여야 한다.

Many countries have been reducing trade barriers to enhance movements of products across borders. This moderation of trade policies combined with the enormous growth in cross-border e-commerce has provided consumers with more foreign product choices than ever before. Accordingly, the attitudes toward foreign products have been of great interest to international business and consumer behaviour scholars in the last few years. Previous studies on the effect of country of origin (COO) on product evaluations show that consumers in developed countries prefer domestic over foreign goods for several reasons, ranging from a risk-reducing prejudice to a nationalistic bias against foreign products (Bilkey & Nes, 1982; Wang & Chen, 2004). However, the rising role of emerging markets as valuable demand markets calls for more insights into the psychological, socio-economic and cultural factors that may determine differences in attitudes toward foreign products (Batra, 1997). The study examines the impact of bandwagon luxury consumption behaviour on cultural dimensions - related to consumer ethnocentrism and materialism - and, at the same, verifies the influences exerted by their interactions on attitudes toward luxury goods (brand consciousness, product beliefs, intentions to buy online). It develops and empirically tests a conceptual model of bandwagon luxury consumption on a sample of Chinese consumers.

Over the past few years, companies have started moving into specific niches in plus-size fashion. The purpose of this study was to verify the marketability of young plus-size clothes in the USA. Data were collected from female consumers aged from 20 to 39 who have experience of purchasing plus-size items. A total of 282 responses were used for statistical analysis. The research result is as follows. First, the obesity stress is affected more by the subjective obesity level than by the objective obesity level and by how people recognize their body types. Second, from an analysis of the factors affecting the shopping orientation of plus-size consumers, style consciousness, pursuing reasonable, emphasizing comfort, and body consciousness are found to be important factors. Third, even if responders are aware of their exact body size, they actively look for the correct size. Fourth, fit evaluation of plus-size products is based on the factors of size fit and movement fit. The respondents were unsatisfied with chest and arm measurements, which deviate widely by body type for tops. Fifth, the overall dissatisfaction with the plus-size market is attributed to the fact that the product assortment range from which to select styles is narrow, and trend reflection is low. Sixth, the respondents tended to avoid fabrics that make their body type more obvious, textures that give the impression of a larger body size, or stiff textures. These results show that the psychological and physical characteristics of obese consumers should be considered to develop products for the young plus-size market.

Nutrition labeling can provide information in order for people to select products suitable for their own health, and sodium content labeling for processed foods is important since sodium is one of the main causes of cardiac diseases. This study had carried out to propose the desirable sodium content labeling by conducting surveys on the awareness of sodium content in processed foods, understanding of sodium content labeling, and requirements for new sodium comparative claims. The survey period was from 12th of September, 2016 through the 24th, during which a self-administered questionnaire survey was given to 1,003 persons through demographic quota sampling by age and region. As a result of the survey, 66.0% of respondents assuring nutrition labeling answered they check sodium content labeling, whereas 83.2% were aware of excessive intake of sodium having a negative effect on health. Exactly 49.9% of respondents answered that the current system for nutrition labeling on processed foods does not help one to understand the content of sodium, whereas 72.9% answered they wanted to compare sodium contents with those of other products when buying or taking processed foods. As 92.5% cited the importance of sodium comparative claims made by processed foods, preparation of a new system for food labeling should be considered by which consumers can easily compare sodium contents with those of other similar products.

This paper is derived from a survey research project investigating consumer attitudes towards organic food as the farm animal welfare. Presents focus group results on consumer perceptions, attitudes and recognition about farm animal welfare. We are aimed to conduct the survey research to evaluate the consumer's perception and demands of the farm animal welfare. We deals with the findings obtained from extensive interviews with a representative samples. The objectives of interviews included 20~60 year-old ages lived in Yongin, Anyang, Gunpo, Ansan, Seosan, Dangjin, Iksan and Jeonju city. Questions focused on how people were recognized the need and policies of farm animal welfare. Questionnaire and technical data are analysed and summarized. As the results of the survey research, the objectives of interviews had poorly understood about the policies of farm animal welfare. Conclusionally, the promotions of farm animal welfare policies were need. The development of farm animal welfare policies were desirable for the establishment of animal welfare.

A study was performed on the consumption of prepackaged meals (Dosirak) sold by food service providers through Importance-Satisfaction Analysis (ISA) to determine the factors that consumers seek in quality Dosirak. According to the analysis, food service providers need to concentrate on food freshness and temperature while maintaining food taste. As for food packaging, consumers were found to prefer microwaveable plastic containers the most (29.3%). Nonetheless, they found that packaging needed improvements in securing food content during transportation and in food labeling, especially for expiration dates. The study also investigated which factors, including menu selection and advertising, affected the sales of food service provider Dosirak the most. The most important factor was determined to be price. Regarding menu selection, the quality of food seasoning and ingredients, daily specials and the variety of combination sets were found to be important. Availability of delivery (3.83/5.00), advance ordering (3.82/5.00) and discounts (3.75/5.00) were important factors in advertising. The conclusions of the study point to a consumer base that recognizes the ease and benefits of Dosirak but desires high quality food items at low cost. To expand the consumer base, food service providers must continually develop new menu items that satisfy consumer tastes and trends, maintain sanitary conditions and improve food labelling.

This current survey was conducted to examine consumer attitudes toward factors determining beef purchasing and improving distribution systems. The frequency of beef purchasing was shown to reflect social and economic status, where inhabitants in large cities, such as Seoul, with higher salaries showed a higher frequency. In addition, consumers that were in their forties bought beef more frequently than consumers that were in their twenties. Consumers in Seoul and the megalopolis with a monthly income of higher than 200 million won preferred to purchase meat from department stores and discount markets. In contrast, people in small cities with lower incomes tended to buy meat from butcher shops and brand shops. In a question regarding unsatisfaction factors of retail beef, individuals that were in their thirties with a high income had concerns associated with packaging problems. For people under thirty with low income, the consistency of quality and price were the prime concerns. In regards to the beef grading system, consumer response varied between inhabitants, monthly income and age group, where consumers from small cities that were in their twenties and forties with a low income had a negative viewpoint. For the differential beef distribution system, housewives between the ages of 30 and 40 from a small city with an income higher than 200 million won had a positive response; however, a large number of consumers were not familiar with this system. The most demanding beef cuts were in the following order: loin, flank and rib. In addition, the most important factors determining purchasing beef were as follows: price, breed and portion.