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In the light of the significant role that wine plays in the processes of agro-food consumption and given Italian wine market segmentation is still a topic partially explored, this paper provides an empirical analysis of current wine market trend in Italy. The study - that aims at identifying the wine consumers behaviour by evaluating the attitudes of Italian wine consumers through a multivariate statistical analysis - was carried out on sample of 953 consumers by adopting a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) whose results were taken into account to apply a cluster analysis in order to identify and describe the current profile of Italian wine consumers and categorize them into homogeneous groups. Results and highlight the presence of several market segments due to the coexistence of different attitudes and behaviours, showing interesting implication for producers and wine managers. Findings allowed to identify three different clusters of consumers which were so identified: occasional consumers, basic consumers, high quality demanding purchasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct sale of agricultural products at farms and the buying process directly from producers is a phenomenon that has begun to re-expand in all advanced economies Although more slowly than in other European countries, the direct sales in Italy is experiencing a booming expansion as results of the ability of producers to retain and strengthen the relationships with their customers, responding to their authenticity and freshness expectations'. Paper presents the results derived from a study on the structural features and distribution channel of Italian wine grape growers and wine farms involved in the direct sale of wine. The study was carried out taking into account the official statistics reported from Italian Census of Agriculture and Mediobanca dataset on direct sale, in order to identify the current structural features and distribution channel of wine direct in Italy. Results report the structural features of wine farms that directly sale their product in five different geographic areas, highlighting the current market share of wine directly selling at farm. Our study also observes a bipolar and generalized tendency towards small and big size farms, with the prevalence of small size wine farms directly selling, pointing out an increasing trend for ultra-premium wines category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current lack of studies concerning the innovation and organization of PDO sweet wines we examined the degree of organization of the wineries producers of a Sicilian wine sweet: Malvasia delle Lipari. This paper aims at analyzing organizational and market aspects of this wine and at suggesting adequate market policies in order to increase the competitive potential of the Aeolian wineries. Study was focused on of the universe of wineries involved in production and bottling the Malvasia delle Lipari PDO. We analyzed marketing and distribution channel of wineries of Aeolian PDO area and highlighted a very high market potential of Malvasia PDO wine, but the small physical and economic size of these farms prevents them to undertake a renewal process in order to ensure adequate levels of competitiveness. Results also show a lack of collective marketing strategies and a low organizational level of producers, first of all in terms of trade and distribution. Study concludes that market of sweet and niche wines require an adequate support of public communication policies to get a sufficient visibility in foreign markets and increase their reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of a research on the economic performances of small wine grape growers of Eastern Sicily. Survey was carried out in 2 of the most important Sicilian wine areas: Etna PDO and Cerasuolo di Vittoria PDO, taking into account a representative sample of smallholders, with the aim to evaluate and compare the profitability expressed as farm net value. Our findings highlight the difficulty of small grape growers to face market challenges and also observe that PDO grapes do not allow a sufficient income for small producers. These effects could denote market failure or otherwise weak market efficiency, requiring a stronger support from government policies towards better regulation of market mechanisms, for example through policies oriented towards adequate information. This study points to unfavourable conditions in the future development of small Mediterranean grape producers. Among various hypotheses the persistence of poor economic growth due to low profitability, could give rise to an implosion of the wine sector in Sicily, and probably of many small grape producers in the Mediterranean area, with a decrease in the number of grape producing holdings and their exit from the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the economic literature ornamental plants production is still largely unexplored, although its economic growth appears strongly relevant. European Union represents one of the world's highest densities of flower production per hectare. In light of scarcity of studies concerning the economics of ornamental industry and given the lack of knowledge about the level of competitiveness of ornamental sector holdings, a participatory approach, through a subjective perception of several stakeholder groups, can be useful to detect and describe main factors affecting the competitive potential of ornamental plant industry. A cognitive map approach was used to analyze most relevant economic and social aspects of Mediterranean Ornamental plant in Sicily in order to assess and improve competitiveness of pot plants growers. This paper show first results of a qualitative study carried out on economic and social aspects of Italian pot plants organization with respect to Mediterranean plant productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The survey on the consumption of typical products has been carried out in the period from 01/01/2014 to 15/05/2014 on a sample of 200 consumers from Messina. The goal of the present work is that of conceivably determining the fish products' buying habits of Messina's population. For this reason a "motivational" calculation has been realised through a traditional survey methodology of descriptive researches (survey through "questionnaire"). The adopted research methodology has been a quantitative one (the results are expressed in the form of numbers, values and percentages). The survey has the aim of providing information related to a default numerical base in relation to the level of statistical and casual mistake. The casual survey refers to an identification of factors which depend on the buying attitude and on the evaluation of the existing cause and effect relationships within a certain population. Before carrying out the investigation, the research components have basically formulated the research hypothesis, located the survey queries and delimited the research domains. As regards the queries, a series of questions to be addressed to consumers have been formulated, regarding the perceived quality, the price-quality ratio and the overall product goodness. Through these questions we have tried to interpret the consumers' needs and above all how much the fish product's quality may be decisive for the purchase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a growing body of scientific knowledge on improved techniques and procedures for the production and handling of quality pomegranate fruit to meet market demand, little is known about the magnitude of losses that occur at the farm and post-farmgate. This study revealed the amount of pomegranate fruit lost on the farm and the causes of loss and estimated the impacts of losses. The direct measurement method, which involved sorting and counting of individual fruit, was used since physical identification of the causes of fruit losses on individual fruit was necessary for data collection. Furthermore, qualitative data were collected by physical observation during harvesting and interaction with farm workers. At the case study farm in Wellington, Western Cape Province of South Africa, a range of 15.3–20.1% of the harvested crop was considered lost, as the quality fell below marketable standards for retail sales. This amounted to an average of 117.76 tonnes of pomegranate fruit harvested per harvest season in the case study farm, which is removed from the value chain and sold mainly at a low value for juicing and other purposes and translates to an estimated R10.5 million ($618,715.34) economic loss to the farmer. Environmental factors are the main causes of on-farm fruit losses. In the three pomegranate cultivars studied, sunburn and crack were identified as the leading cause of fruit loss, accounting for about 43.9% of all on-farm fruit losses. The lost fiber, carbohydrate, protein, iron and ascorbic acid contents associated with lost fruit were estimated to meet the daily recommended nutrition intake of 2, 9, 4, 2 and 24 people, respectively. Strategies to control and reduce pomegranate fruit losses and waste at the farm level should focus on environmental factors and mechanical damage since they account for the highest sources of fruit losses. This will ensure improved revenue to farmers, sustainable use of natural resources, reduction of the environmental impacts of the fruit industry, and more availability of quality fruit for nutritional security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the end of the 20th century, tourism was positioned as an activity capable of diversifying and reactivating the economies of European rural areas, which were experiencing problems of aging and population loss. One of the public initiatives that most promoted the development of tourism was the Leader Method, implemented in 1991 by the European Union, which is still active 25 years later. Within this initiative, the financing of tourist infrastructures adapted to the different rural areas was promoted. However, after 25 years, the economic sustainability has been very different and internal and external factors have determined their success. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the survival of the tourism offer financed by Leader in order to identify the factors that have determined its success in one of the European regions that has been managing Leader since 1991: Extremadura. For this purpose, a methodology based on a multivariate technique (Cluster Analysis) has been designed, which has allowed to establish a pattern of behavior based on context variables. The results obtained have shown that factors such as the concentration of investment, accessibility to urban spaces or the presence of natural resources in mountain areas have favored the sustainability of the tourist offer. This article shows what have been the keys to success in a given area for the survival of tourism companies by Leader, serving as a reference both for future public initiatives and for the scientific field, since there are hardly any studies focused on this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to identify the hierarchical relationship in a consumer's mind with respect to the three main and different quality schemes. With this purpose, we decided to analyse the role that local, organic, and traditional attributes have on consumers' preferences. The survey on the consumption of extra-virgin olive oil was carried out in Italy, through direct face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was carried out by first conducting a conjoint experiment, followed by a clusterization through Ward's method. In this hypothetical scale evaluating the quality of olive oil the three attributes provide consumers with different utilities in the following decreasing order: organic, local, and Protected Geographical Indication label. In addition, we observed the existence of trade-offs between these three quality signals conveying information that is selectively interpretable by consumers. Thanks to this methodological approach, four groups, differing in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and hierarchical preferences towards the certification scheme, were observed. • Certification schemes and local production play an important role in perceived olive oil quality. • Significant regional differences among extra virgin olive oil consumers were observed. • Preference hierarchy among organic, local and PGI for extra-virgin olive oil was found. • Price is confirmed as the most important consumption driver. • Preferences for extra virgin olive oil are affected by socio-demographic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of absolute alcohol consumption and total quantity consumed, beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in Hungary. The Hungarian beer industry is highly concentrated, the three largest, foreign-owned companies ruled the market for almost 90% of total turnover in 2009–2017. The study investigates the factors influencing the Hungarian beer industry's economic performance, special attention given to the microbreweries. The analysis applied panel-data linear models for the period of 2009–2017. The financial performance of breweries is represented by companies' turnover, Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) and profit along with explanatory variables of the age of brewery, Social Media activity, geographical location, direct sales, and impact of tax reduction. Breweries with direct sales channels reached significantly higher sales, EBIT and profit. Breweries situated in or close to the capital are the most profitable due to the higher demand for high-quality beer, in contrast, the distance from the capital had a negative impact on the firms' performance. The Social Media activity–often used as the only promotion channel for the microbrewery–positively impacts the brewery's profitability. Finally, tax reduction for small breweries introduced in 2012 had the most significant positive influence on the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and optimization of more sustainable pest control methods, primarily focusing on preventive strategies and non-chemical tools, is a global priority for scientists and agrochemical companies. This study examines Sicilian farmers' willingness to adopt organic pest management practices for protecting tomatoes and zucchini from two key insect pests, namely Tuta absoluta and Bemisia tabaci. We implemented the Theory of Planned Behavior as a cognitive model to explore individual motivations that influence farmers' readiness to adopt sustainable pest control practices. Results from partial least squares structural equation modeling on a sample of 85 farmers emphasize the importance of farmers' behavioral constructs in the decision-making process: Farmers' attitudes are the strongest predictors of intention (ß = 0.454; p < 0.01), followed by social norms (ß = 0.201; p < 0.1) and perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.184; p < 0.01). Intention and perceived behavioral control constructs positively and significantly affect the stated behavior construct (respectively, ß = 0.23; ß = 0.24). Traditional farm/farmer socio-economic characteristics have a notable, yet smaller, influence: Farmers' education positively predicts their willingness to adopt (ß = 0.292; p < 0.01), while farmers' age is negatively correlated (ß = −0.130; p < 0.01). Informational campaigns on the importance of organic pest management on improving soil health and biodiversity should be promoted to strengthen farmers attitudes toward organic pest management. Similarly, policy-makers should enhance farmers perceived behavioral control by providing better information about characteristics and procedures of organic pest management protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the sociopsychological factors influencing Tunisian farmers' adoption of sustainable pest management techniques by employing the motivation-opportunity-ability framework and using partial least squares structural equation modelling. It is the first empirical study to test this framework in predicting farmers' readiness to reduce pesticide usage in agriculture, distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. The findings reveal that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations significantly impact farmers' readiness to reduce pesticide use. Particularly, extrinsic motivations, such as peer influence and prevailing practices within the community, play a crucial role, highlighting the importance of social dynamics in sustainable agricultural decisions. Additionally, opportunities to adopt non-chemical pest control methods, enhanced by access to information and technology, positively influence farmers' intentions to minimize pesticide use. These results suggest that enhancing farmers' motivation through targeted educational programs and fostering opportunities via supportive policy environments are key strategies to promoting sustainable pest management practices in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing emphasis on sustainability and health concerns has underscored the necessity for low-pesticide and safe foods, leading to increased adoption of organic production process and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). From this concept emerged the "Zero Residue" certification, while the "Nickel-free" claim serves health-related purposes. These attributes are related to consumer beliefs and, along with intrinsic quality cues such as colour, intervene in consumer decision-making process and result from technological and varietal agricultural innovation. They were evaluated alongside price to examine consumer preferences, using tomatoes as a case study. Conjoint Analysis and Ward's clustering method helped segregate Italian consumers into homogenous market segments based on their stated preferences. Organic production was the most significant attribute, followed by price, the "Nickel-free" claim, and colour. Thus, consumer demand increasingly favours environmentally sustainable and health-focused attributes. The "Zero Residue" concept offers an approach to reduce synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, appealing to environmental conscious consumers. Attributes like "Nickel-free" claim have emerged, which is important for consumers seeking innovative health features. Businesses should diversify products and employ clear labelling to inform consumers about eco-friendly practices. They should also offer competitive prices for innovative tomato products, thus implementing price segmentation may be necessary for diverse consumer segments. Policymakers can engage consumers through educational campaigns, enforce product labelling regulations highlighting health and environmental benefits, and support certification programs. • First consumer survey on "Nickel-free" and "IPMplus" (Zero Residue) perception. • Organic production emerged as the most critical attribute for Italian consumers. • Consumers appreciate the novelty of the "IPMplus" attribute (Zero Residue). • A health-related nickel-free claim is more valuable than a novel colour. • The major drivers of consumer preference are environmental and health motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is becoming a growing concern for the agricultural sector. Variable weather events, such as droughts and floods, are expected to have a significant negative impact on agricultural losses, earnings and consumption. The agriculture industry in Europe is not immune to these difficulties. This study focuses on Hungary, a country with a strong agricultural focus that, as a result, is particularly susceptible to climate change. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to synthesis data about the perspectives of Hungarian farmers on the dangers of climate change. Then, latent variables were employed as explanatory variables in the Logit model to investigate the link between the perceptions of climate change risks by Hungarian farmers and their inclination to adopt innovative ways to mitigate its repercussions. Changes in temperature and precipitation, economic damage, water damage, and insect damage are seen as the most serious repercussions of climate change by Hungarian farmers. These beliefs raise the possibility of adopting new strategies to offset harmful consequences, including (i) the adoption of new varieties, (ii) ice and frost protection, and (iii) the use of agro-meteorological data. The results show that the chance of adopting new varieties is substantially influenced by farmers' assessments of harm caused by pests, pathogens, and illnesses (2.91***). In contrast, water damage concerns seem to have a significant impact on the adoption of novel approaches to reduce cold and frost damage (2.18***). This study's findings support the efforts of stakeholders and policymakers to encourage the dissemination of technology to protect crops from climate change in Hungary and imply that governments should provide financial incentives to farmers to boost innovation uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) sector in Italy is a niche sector that is growing in terms of both primary production and consumption. These products seem to be important to address several global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, drought solutions, product diversification, product innovations, and the development of rural areas (rural tourism in primis). This study utilised the Delphi method to identify key factors and possible strategies that could be adopted for the future (the next 3–5 years) of the national MAP supply chain. The research involved the collaboration of 26 experts. Individual interviews, based on a semi-structured questionnaire, were carried out during the first round of the study. The information and the collected data were then analysed and depicted in a mental map. The Italian MAP sector suffers from competition from lower-cost imported products. Despite this, the experts predicted an expansion of the MAP sector regarding aromatic herbs and certain derivative products, such as dietary supplements, biocides, and essential oils. The experts anticipated the need to increase the adoption of digital innovations, of developing agreements among the actors of the supply chain, and of investing in the training of supply chain actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Info on the origin of walnut variety affects consumers' willingness to pay. • The taste of walnuts affects more than info the consumers' willingness to pay. • Info on the origin of foreign varieties reduces consumer's willingness to pay. • The combined effect of taste and info increases preference for all varieties. The purpose of the present study is to provide empirical evidence on consumer acceptance of native and foreign varieties of walnuts, identifying how information on the variety's origin and taste affects consumer preferences in Italy. Through an artefactual experiment, the willingness to pay for three packages of walnuts weighing 350 g each—representing one native variety (Sorrento) and two foreign varieties (Chandler and Hartley)—was assessed. The study findings revealed that both information on the origin of the variety and taste significantly affect consumers' willingness to pay for different walnut varieties, with taste having a stronger impact. While information about the variety's origin reduces consumers' preferences for foreign varieties (i.e., Chandler and Hartley), after tasting the walnuts, the willingness to pay for the foreign and internationally grown variety (i.e., Hartley) increases. By considering both information and taste effects, the willingness to pay increases for both native (i.e. Sorrento) and foreign varieties, showing the highest premium price for the Chandler variety, which is foreign but locally grown. The results of this study contribute to the discussion on the importance of taste versus information in the preference for a food product. Additionally, it enhances the discussion on the consumers' perception of allochthonous varieties cultivated in their own country. This latter aspect is particularly crucial since there will be a growing interest in cultivating allochthonous varieties in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Variety seeking is considered by using brand and wine typologies as main drivers. • Revealed preferences made available by real Italian market data are used. • Four groups are identified based on consumer characteristics and their behavior. • Individual personal traits are strongly linked to the variety seeking behaviour. • Variety seeking is more widespread for wine typologies than for brand. This study investigates variety seeking behavior in the wine domain. Since variety seeking depends on brand strategies and consumers' preferences for different types of vines and denominations, a bi-dimensional perspective is adopted. Two new variety seeking measures are defined, namely the Wine Index of Diversity and Brand Index of Diversity. A finite mixture regression model is implemented to identify and characterize groups of households sharing similar variety seeking behavior in a statistically representative sample of 8,313 Italian households. Four groups are identified based on consumer characteristics and their purchasing behavior. The largest group is "switchers," which includes consumers showing a relatively higher wine diversity than brand diversity. Estimates reveal the "habitual" group, that lives in the southern Italy and consumes wine less frequently than all other groups. The "loyal" group includes the youngest consumers with an above average income, who reside in the northern regions. Finally, the "variety seekers" are older, have the highest incomes, and live in the central regions. This grouping provides insights into the effects of brand and wine typology on consumers' choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly assess the value of colours in consumers' preferences for sweet peppers, and the association with more sustainable methods of production in the consumers' minds. Furthermore, this study provides novel insights into the influence of colours on the willingness to pay (WTP) for vegetables. It explores the interplay between colours, food attributes, and socio-demographic characteristics among consumers, marking the first attempt to examine this relationship comprehensively. A discrete choice experiment, based on consumers' preferences for sweet pepper attributes (price, colour, and production method), was implemented and a Seemingly Unrelated Regression model was then applied to evaluate the willingness to pay for different colours. The study has revealed that different colours provide consumers with different utilities and WTP in the choices of potential healthier foods. In addition, gender, age, education and number of family components play a role in affecting consumers' WTP of food linked to colour. Finally, it was found that consumers' knowledge for certain pepper colours with different antioxidant contents is interrelated. This study introduces several novelties, in particular a positive correlation between interest in antioxidants and colours was found, suggesting that interest in healthy food properties might move consumers towards a specific sensory choice., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

The agribusiness sector is constantly seeking solutions to enhance food security, sustainability, and resilience. Recent estimates indicate that one-third of the total food production remains unused due to waste or limited shelf life, resulting in negative environmental and ethical consequences. Consequently, exploring technological solutions to extend the shelf life of food products could be a crucial option to address this issue. However, the success of these technological solutions is closely linked to the perception of the end-consumers, particularly in the short term. Based on these considerations, this paper presents a systematic literature review of the main technological innovations in the fresh meat industry and of consumers' perceptions of such innovations. Regarding innovative technologies, this review focused on active and smart packaging. Amidst various technological innovations, including the utilization of fundamental matrices and natural additives, a noticeable gap exists in consumer perception studies. This study represents the first comprehensive compilation of research on consumers' perceptions and acceptance of innovations designed to extend the shelf life of fresh meat. Moreover, it sheds light on the existing barriers that hinder the complete embrace of these innovations.

Introduction: Women play a crucial role in food shopping and preparation, and their food choices have significant implications for their health and that of their families. This study aims to provide a perspective on women's eating lifestyle, which has undergone significant changes., Methods: A factor analysis was conducted to assess the degree of involvement in food choices and the types of food items consumed among a sample of 399 Italian women., Results: Through cluster analysis, four segments were identified: hedonic food consumers, sustainable- and balanced-diet consumers, food experimenters, and no food fondness consumers. The results reveal a correlation between the degree of food involvement and the type of food consumed., Discussion: Furthermore, the food lifestyle of the sample is partially dependent on age. Individuals aged 25-28 years show more hedonic food consumption behavior, while the older age group (44-64 years) falls into the sustainable and balanced diet consumer cluster (the largest cluster) and the cluster of those who do not express definable food choices (no food fondness)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Hamam, D’Amico, Spina, La Via and Di Vita.)

Rural development is complex in marginal and disadvantaged areas, such as mountains, which impose high labour costs and restrict farmers in their choices of crop and livestock. To recognise this problem, the European Union regulates the use of the optional quality term " Mountain product " on the label. Consumers may recognise this label and be more willing to pay for it, resulting in higher revenues for producers using it. This study estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for a mountain quality label. This WTP is then compared to that of functional and nutrition claims. For this purpose, we used a ranking conjoint experiment, using goat's milk yoghurt-a typical mountain product-as a case study. Using a rank-ordered logit, we show that mountain quality labels generate a significant WTP, higher than that of functional claims. WTP differs by the demographic profile of the consumer. The study provided useful insights about the combination of the mountain quality label with different attributes. However, future studies are needed to adequately understand the potential of mountain certification as a supporting tool for farmers in marginal areas and for rural development., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Food-related diseases are a topic of concern for the population and institutions; therefore, regulations have been envisaged to improve consumer knowledge about food properties and to guide them towards healthy food consumption. Europe has addressed the use of claims on labels with two important regulations in 2006 and 2012. The use of claims allows for the differentiation of food products, particularly functional foods, i.e., those that can provide health benefits as part of a standard diet. The study aims to describe the interest of researchers on the topic of functional foods and health claims by observing the trend of publications and highlighting the role of the country on the topic through a network analysis. Another objective is to evaluate the role of lifestyle, psychological and socio-demographic predictors in the choice of functional foods bearing label claims or not, using a systematic literature review. To this aims, a bibliometric and a network analysis were assessed. The results reveal a positive trend in publications and a growing interest in the topic, thus showing that socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle variables partially influence consumer behaviour. In particular, it emerges that educated people and women are more interested in functional foods, showing a higher willingness to pay for them. In addition, physical activity and beliefs regarding the nutritional quality of functional foods are positively correlated with WTP. However, several contradictory results were observed for some variables in the collected studies. For these reasons and considering the high number of functional foods and claims yet to be evaluated, further investigations are recommended.

This study aims to examine Italian consumer preferences for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) enriched with vitamins and to analyze the key drivers that affect consumer choices for this product. Specifically, we assessed consumers' intention to purchase the enriched product compared to the conventional one. The methodology adopted inferential and multivariate statistical techniques: (1) exploratory factor analysis (EFA), (2) ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and (3) non-hierarchical clustering. This study appears to be the first research project related to exploring consumers' interest in an extra virgin olive oil enhanced with vitamins, thereby providing preliminary indications. The main results represent a significant starting point for the development of new marketing strategies for the food industry.