THE PROFILE OF FISH CONSUMERS IN BELÉM, BRAZIL

Abstract

The profile of fish consumers in the municipality of Belém PA Brazil is analyzed from data retrieved from the Google Docs research form filled by federal, state and municipal civil servants, teachers, bank employees, freelance and traders, with different schooling and income. Four hundred questionnaires were received and the error margin adopted lay at 5% with a 95% confidence interval. Results revealed that 88% of people interviewed considered the price of fish high. The supermarket was the place of preference (51.75% of consumers) for buying the product. Moreover, 80.25% answered that they verify the freshness of the fish for sale. Consumers with high school or higher levels stated that access of information on the origin of fish, its quality and expiring date weigh in the purchasing decision. As a rule, Belém consumers highly appreciate fish, averaging a consumption of 21.96 kg/inhab./year, mainly due to cultural factors and the abundance of the product in the region. Changes in consumers´ profile occurred since they became more critical and demanding with regard to quality; the place of preference for purchasing the product, or rather, the supermarket is preferred to the open-air fair.