Tendency of the olive oil consumers profile

Abstract

The present study evaluated the tendency of the profile of 167 olive oil consumers by means of a market survey, which was carried out at supermarkets of Muriaé – MG, Brazil, in April 2013. A descriptive and quantitative survey was performed using a structured questionnaire. In this context, the following parameters were investigated: sex, age, education, household income, personal history of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemias, among others); type, brand and quantity of olive oil consumed and motivation for consumption. Fom among 171 consumers, 167 (98 %) reported that they consume the product. In outlining the consumer profile, the majority was female (61 %), aged between 21 and 40 years, income between one and three minimum wages, secondary education, no history of chronic diseases, daily consumption of 7.89 mL of pure olive oil and 3.54 mL of olive oil/soybean oil blend, and “appreciates olive oil” was the motivation for consumption. Based on the obtained data, it is important to establish the strategies to stimulate the increase and the adequacy in consuming olive oil, considering the attributes of this product for preventing and/or reducing the chronic diseases.