Luxembourg residents are hungry for local produce, according to a study by the Ilres Institute, commissioned by the ministry of consumer protection and the ministry of agriculture, and presented on Friday 30 June.
“Regional products play an important role in the purchases of consumers living in Luxembourg,” said Barbara Richard, senior research executive at the polling institute.
The survey showed that 98% of households surveyed buy local products, at least from time to time. This compares with 88% at the beginning of 2021.
Although the question was not asked in the same way on both surveys, Richard noted that “the supply of local products is increasing and is being promoted.”
If local products are appealing, it is above all for their quality (96% in favour), their taste (94%) and for reasons of food safety (86%). These factors were hailed by the minister for agriculture, (LSAP), who was also present at the presentation of the survey results.
Meat losing ground
The most popular local products are eggs (92%) and dairy products (90%), ahead of vegetables (89%) and fruit (88%). Consumers aged 55 and over are the most likely to buy these regional products.
The Nutri-Score and organic products are slightly less important to consumers.
Another finding is that three out of four consumers say they have reduced or plan to reduce their consumption of meat and fish. In the space of two years, 52% of residents say they have reduced their consumption of meat and fish. Consumption of vegetables (+45%) and fruit (+34%) is on the up, while consumption of eggs and dairy products is fairly stable.
Willing to pay more for local produce
The survey of 1,522 residents aged 16 and over also shows that consumers are paying attention not only to the diversity of their food, but also to its balance and seasonality. “Elements such as the Nutri-Score and organic products are a little less important for consumers, so they pay a little less attention to them,” added Richard.
71% of those surveyed said they were satisfied with the value for money of Luxembourg products, and 61% with their price. Overall, nearly eight out of ten respondents were prepared to pay more for their food in order to guarantee a fair income for farmers.
Only one in five consumers buys food directly from the producer in Luxembourg. Supermarkets continue to dominate, accounting for 95% of purchases, ahead of convenience stores, which attract almost one in two consumers. As for the drive-through, 9% of those surveyed said it was the most popular choice.
This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.