RESUMEN
The present work aimed to analyze the factors that affect the purchase of potatoes in Belo Horizonte city, Brazil, and the effects of the availability of many different French cultivars to this market. In France, there is a large variety of potatoes with different shapes, skin colors and textures and indications for different culinary uses. Therefore, cluster analysis was performed and a mixed effects linear regression model was adjusted to analyze the factors that can influence the purchase of potatoes by consumers. The factors analyzed were the size, skin color and texture and the presence of information about the cultivar name, culinary use and seal of quality. Age, education, region and income were important parameters in determining a groups' intent to purchase, and factors such as potato shape, skin color and presence of a seal of quality were significantly important in the analysis. The presence of information related to the name of the cultivar and recommended culinary use had no significant effect on purchase intention. Last, the introduction of new French potato cultivars into such markets as Belo Horizonte city should be preceded by an educational process to prepare consumers to receive information regarding the recommended culinary use of potatoes and the final sensory quality of the preparations illustrated with these potatoes.
O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar os fatores que influenciam a compra de batatas em Belo Horizonte, Brasil, e os efeitos da oferta de diferentes cultivares francesas. Na França há uma enorme variedade de batatas, com diferentes formatos, coloração e textura da casca, além de indicação para diferentes usos culinários. Portanto, a análise de agrupamento foi realizada e um modelo de regressão linear de efeitos mistos foi ajustado para analisar os fatores que podem interferir na compra de batatas pelo consumidor em Belo Horizonte. Os fatores analisados foram o tamanho, a coloração e textura da casca, e a presença ou ausência de informações sobre nome da cultivar, uso culinário e selo de qualidade. Idade, escolaridade, região e renda foram importantes parâmetros para determinar a intenção de compra dos diferentes agrupamentos, e o formato das batatas, cor da casca e presença de selo de qualidade foram significativamente importante na análise. A presença de informações relacionadas com o nome da cultivar e uso culinário recomendado não teve efeito significativo sobre a intenção de compra. Por fim, a introdução de novas cultivares de batata franceses em mercados como o da cidade de Belo Horizonte deve ser precedida de um processo de educação para preparar os consumidores para receber informações sobre a utilização culinária recomendada de batatas.
Asunto(s)
Solanum tuberosum , Producción de Cultivos , Comportamiento del ConsumidorRESUMEN
A industrialização da batata tem sido limitada no Brasil, devido à falta de matéria-prima adequada, sendo a demanda suprida pelas importações de produtos processados. Oito cultivares de batata, adaptadas às condições da região serrana de Minas Gerais, safra 2011, foram avaliadas quanto a sua composição centesimal, cor e conteúdo de amilose. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as cultivares 'Marcy' e 'Colorado' apresentam características importantes para o cozimento. As cultivares 'Marlen' e 'Pirassu' apresentam atributos requeridos para o processamento na forma de chips e/ou palha e a cultivar 'BRS Ana' para a forma de palitos pré-fritos.
The industrialization of potato in Brazil has been limited because of the low availability of tubers with adequate quality, being supplied by imports of processed products demand. Eight cultivars of potato, adapted to the mountainous conditions of Minas Gerais state, harvest of 2011, were evaluated for their centesimal composition, color and amylose content.The results demonstrated that 'Marcy' and 'Colorado' cultivars showed important characteristic for cooking. The 'Marlen' and 'Pirassu' cultivars showed required attributes for processing in the form of chips or straw and the cultivar 'BRS Ana' for pre-fried sticks.
RESUMEN
The present work aimed to evaluate opinions and attitudes of consumers during purchase of potatoes, and analyze the availability of French cultivars. By means of focus groups, it was observed that the purchase of potatoes was affected by factors related to the potatoes themselves, such as size and shape, and environmental determinants. Decision making was based on previous experiences and cultural codes already established. Despite the importance of seals of quality, there was no significant indication that potato quality played a more important role than cultural patterns. It was concluded that even when offering specials on high quality cultivars, such as the French cultivar, special offers should be preceded by educational activities to establish cultural codes for purchase of potatoes.