Dairy consumption in the pandemic: main changes in the behaviuor of the Brazilian consumer of milk and dairy products during the COVID-19 pandemic

Embrapa Gado de Leite/Centro de Inteligencia do Leite carried out a survey to assess the behaviour of Brazilian consumers of milk and dairy products during the Covid-19 pandemic, considering household consumption. It was shown that long-life milk was not the most important dairy product in the Brazilian shopping basket. Despite being present in more than 90% of Brazilian homes, other dairy products, especially cheeses, are gaining consumer preference. Data from market consultants showed that this sales channel had the highest growth during the first months of the pandemic. The majority of survey respondents said they maintained or even increased the consumption of dairy products. Data from consulting market confirmed the survey results, reporting increases in sale of dairy products during the first half of 2020. The survey results also showed consumption patterns by income classes and regions of Brazil, showing the complexity of the national dairy market. In the case of income, the higher percentage of consumption stability in the lower income classes was high. Regarding the most important factor at the time of purchase of dairy products, the price was more considered by the higher income classes, and low prices and the brand by higher-income consumers. In the case of regions, differences were also evidenced in the maintenance of consumption of products, with powdered milk having a higher percentage of stability in the northeast and north, as well as the importance of price and brand in the purchase decision, in which the price prevailed more in the northeast than in other regions. In conclusion, income, rather than price, is the determining factor of dairy consumption in Brazil.

Issues and implications of new conversations around meat supply in the west. (Special Issue: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and natural resources in the Western U.S.)

The onset of COVID-19 resulted in the disruption of many supply chains, mainly caused by impacts to labor, transportation, and declining market demand. The meat industry experienced some of the most significant supply chain impacts due to the current structure of the meat processing industry. Meat processing is a highly consolidated industry with production lines designed and dedicated to specific end consumers. This organizational structure contributed to livestock backlogs, leading to decreased production, consumer meat shortages, and increased consumer prices. As a result, many states are examining their existing meat supply chain to determine the feasibility of establishing local processing plants. This paper will present responses from states to meat supply interruptions, results from a meat processing facility feasibility study, and results from a survey of Nevada and Utah residents conducted during the summer of 2020 which captures consumer preferences for locally raised ground beef.