Fatores envolvidos no comportamento do consumidor durante a compra e utilização de batatas e repercussões na oferta de cultivares francesas em Belo Horizonte

• Ano de defesa: 2009
• Autor(a) principal: Ribeiro, Rita de Cássia
• Orientador(a): Chaves, José Benício Paes
• Banca de defesa: Pirozi, Mônica Ribeiro , Stringheta, Paulo César
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Universidade Federal de Viçosa
• Programa de Pós-Graduação: Doutorado em Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos
• Departamento: Ciência de Alimentos; Tecnologia de Alimentos; Engenharia de Alimentos
• País: BR
• Palavras-chave em Português: Batata; Cultivares francesas; Consumo de batata; Focus group; Batata preparação
• Palavras-chave em Inglês: Potatoes; French cultivars; Consumption of potatoes; Focus group; Potato preparation
• Área do conhecimento CNPq: CNPQ::CIENCIAS AGRARIAS::CIENCIA E TECNOLOGIA DE ALIMENTOS::CIENCIA DE ALIMENTOS
• Link de acesso: http://locus.ufv.br/handle/123456789/426

The potato is a plant that produces tubers with high nutritional values. It s also between the most important and most consumed aliments in the world because of its composition, gastronomic versatility and low cost. In Minas Gerais, the potato cultivation presents a large socioeconomic importance mainly because its average productivity is higher than the national one. Therefore, the Brazil-France Technique Cooperation with the state of Minas Gerais excels as an enterprise in the amplification of new potato cultivations offering and also stands out at the fitosanitary monitoring of the cultivation and at the modernization organization of the department. Several partners of the Program have been researching biothecnological and adaptation aspects of the cultivation in the soil and under the climate of this region. However, another research front directed to the consumers is required, since the acquirement, preparing and consume of this tuber is already well-marked by some specific social, cultural and economic factors. For that reason, the present study aimed to identify these factors involved in the potato purchase and consume of Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas Gerais) consumer, and to analyze the insertion of French cultivated potato varieties in this market, considering its culinary indication and the physical aspects of these tubers. The methodology used in this research was composed by pilot study, focus groups and sensory tests of acceptance and acquirement intention. The group of the generated information was applied to analyze the factors involved in the Belo Horizonte consumer s behavior during the potatoes purchase and utilization and the repercussion of the French cultivated potatoes. In this analysis, a mixed-effects regression model was adjusted. It has been determined that investigating the consumer perception and preference is the base for developing and inserting new products in the market. Through the focus group, it has been found that the factors which influence the potato purchase and use in Belo Horizonte are: the tubers size and shape; the skin coloration and texture; the presence or absence of dirt, defect and green parts; information about culinary indication, cultivation type and origin; presence or absence of package and price. In the acceptance sensory tests, it has been determined that the French cultivated potatoes recommended to frying, Canelle and Soleia, have obtained good results, mainly in the appearance attribute. For thexiv ! potatoes recommended to mash, the French cultivated ones and the Agata variety have reached similar results for the consistence and flavor attributes. For salad use, the French cultivated potatoes Grendine and Baila have obtained low acceptation in the appearance and flavor attributes, compared to the Agata one. When it comes to the purchase-intention test, the Agata potato has presented higher average values than the French cultivated ones, no matter what its culinary-use recommendation was. The mixed-effects regression model adjusted to this research allowed to conclude that the predominant factors for the potato purchase in Belo Horizonte were the tuber shape (regular), the skin coloration (glossy, bright and shining) and the quality seal presence. Others variables concerns the potato acquirement in this city, like living in the south center, east, northeast and west regions of Belo Horizonte, having between 24 and 44 years-old, having at least high school graduation diploma and having knowledge about the place of the potato production. These facts suggest that while the consumers are buying the product, their sensations and experiences oscillate between conscious and unconscious perceptions, and this is what determinates the purchase and use of the aliment. When it comes to the potatoes, there is a well-established code to the acquirement and consume that includes factors that are intrinsic and extrinsic to this tuber. In order to change this context effectively, the consumers will have to be oriented about the sensorial characters of the French cultivated potatoes, which will ensure a relation of trust with the product and, as a consequence, a change of attitudes.