Carne suína: principais fatores que impactam o consumo do produto

Abstract

Until recently pork was the most consumed worldwide, but at the time it was surpassed by chicken meat. On the other hand, in Brazil the consumption of pork is still low in relation to chicken and beef. Brazil is the world's fourth largest producer and exporter of pork. Taking into account that Uberlândia occupies the third place in the ranking of the largest pork producers in Brazil, as well as the positive nutritional aspects of pork intake and its health benefits, the objective was this study: to identify the main factors that influence the consumption of the protein in question in the municipality, to verify whether the existing myths have an influence on consumption and also to evaluate the level of knowledge about the product by the consumers. We used the descriptive survey, through a questionnaire of 39 closed questions, elaborated on the google electronic forms platform (Google Forms), which was sent via e-mail and WhatsApp, mostly to the students of the Federal University of Uberlândia and to the people of their conviviality. The questionnaire was available for answers for a period of 3 months, and 84 questionnaires were answered from people who accepted a Free and Informed Consent Form. The data obtained were tabulated and submitted to descriptive analysis using excel software - Microsoft Office 365. Among the respondents, the majority were between the 18- and 30-year-olds with higher education and also had a high frequency for students. Pork consumption remained the third option, a result equivalent to the country's consumption. Regarding consumption habits, slightly more than half (54.7%) respondents consume fresh pork, but the consumption of industrialized products was higher (84.6%). The habits and frequency of consumption are partially influenced by outdated concepts and cultural aspects and the lack of veritable information about meat, since considering the profile of respondents, most are people with higher education and access to information. With regard to the level of knowledge of the product by the consumer, almost half of the sample does not consider itself well informed about the nutritional value of meat and even that the creation and hygiene of pigs occur under regular conditions. Thus, the production chain must invest in marketing campaigns so that it can establish pork as a healthy and essential food that has a high level of sanitary control through biosecurity.