Caracterização do consumo e perfil do consumidor de ovos de poedeiras na cidade de Maceió, AL

Abstract

Knowing the consumer when buying a product of animal origin, whether it's their preferences or their behavior, is important for producers and the agro-industry to make adjustments in the production chain that make it possible to improve the quality and marketing of eggs. Thus, the central question of this study was to characterize consumption and evaluate the profile of consumers of laying eggs in the city of Maceió, AL. The study was conducted in regions with a wider range of consumers of eggs from laying hens, involving consumers from different social classes. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered using the survey method, structured in multiple choice questions and directed at consumers at random. The variables to be addressed were: gender, age, level of education, family income and place of meals. The variables with questions specific to eggs were: frequency and form of egg consumption, criteria considered when choosing the product, preference for shell and yolk color, knowledge of nutritional value, benefits for human health, product certification (inspection), consumption of free-range eggs, knowledge of the production process and whether consumers are aware of whether eggs transmit any diseases. The study is descriptive and quantitative, in which the data was analyzed and determined by percentage frequencies for each question. Of those interviewed, 100% prefer to eat eggs at home, 94.7% prefer fried eggs, 91.6% buy their eggs in supermarkets, when asked about the criteria for selecting eggs, 83.2% buy them because of the price and 55.8% store their eggs on the refrigerator shelf. The interviewees said they were aware of the benefits of eggs for human health and the possibility of transmitting some diseases, but confirmed that they did not check for the presence or absence of the inspection seal. This shows that campaigns to encourage consumption and the benefits of eggs are valid and important for consumer awareness of the product they are consuming, but there is still a need to inform them of the existence of egg inspection bodies.