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Food Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Statistical Analysis of Consumer Survey Data from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author

Listed:
  • Tarek Ben Hassen

    (Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Hamid El Bilali

    (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM-Bari), 70010 Valenzano, Italy)

  • Mohammad S. Allahyari

    (Department of Agricultural Management, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht 41476-54919, Iran
    Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Darjan Karabašević

    (Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Adriana Radosavac

    (Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Sinisa Berjan

    (Department of Agroeconomy and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, 71126 Lukavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Željko Vaško

    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Pavle Radanov

    (Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, 21107 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ibrahim Obhođaš

    (Faculty of Information Technology, University Vitez, 72270 Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Abstract

Bosnia and Herzegovina has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing quarantine and other social distancing measures. These measures, however, have mental, social, and economic consequences on diet and food behaviors. The Bosnian case is particularly pertinent since the country has one of the highest global mortality rates relative to its population. In addition, its health system is fragmented and under-resourced. Consequently, in this study, we analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bosnians’ behaviors relating to food. It is based on an online survey performed during October–November 2020 with 3133 adult respondents. The statistical analysis encompassed descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and frequencies), as well as cluster analysis. The results reveal that the pandemic transformed consumers’ shopping behaviors and food sourcing, reducing shopping frequency and increasing food bought on each trip. Furthermore, there was an increase in the consumption of local food items due to food safety concerns. Additionally, the pandemic improved the awareness of Bosnians towards food with a decrease in food waste. Regarding diets, Bosnians tried to have healthier diets during the pandemic. Therefore, COVID-19 might have opened a ‘window of opportunity’ to promote the shift towards more sustainable food consumption and lifestyles.

Suggested Citation

  • Tarek Ben Hassen & Hamid El Bilali & Mohammad S. Allahyari & Darjan Karabašević & Adriana Radosavac & Sinisa Berjan & Željko Vaško & Pavle Radanov & Ibrahim Obhođaš, 2021. "Food Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Statistical Analysis of Consumer Survey Data from Bosnia and Herzegovina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8617-:d:607016
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tarek Ben Hassen & Hamid El Bilali & Mohammad S. Allahyari, 2020. "Impact of COVID-19 on Food Behavior and Consumption in Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
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    6. Sonia Akter, 2020. "The impact of COVID-19 related ‘stay-at-home’ restrictions on food prices in Europe: findings from a preliminary analysis," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(4), pages 719-725, August.
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    1. Tarek Ben Hassen & Hamid El Bilali & Mohammad S. Allahyari & Sinisa Berjan & Darjan Karabašević & Adriana Radosavac & Goran Dašić & Ružica Đervida, 2021. "Preparing for the Worst? Household Food Stockpiling during the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Lingfei Wang & Yuqin Yang & Guoyan Wang, 2022. "The Clean Your Plate Campaign: Resisting Table Food Waste in an Unstable World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Yu-Ping Wei, 2021. "The Effect of Food Safety-Related Attributes on Customer Satisfaction of Ready-to-Eat Foods at Hypermarkets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-11, September.

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