Quality determinants of avocado fruit consumption in italy. Implications for small farms

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increasing consumer interest towards tropical fruits due to the desire of consumers for healthy eating while experiencing new and exotic flavours. Within this consumer trend, avocado fruit presents great potential in order to meet the requirements desired by consumers due to its high nutritional value and particular quality characteristics. The aim of the present study is to understand which quality determinants influence consumers’ decision making to consume avocado fruit in Italy. In the literature, avocado is a fruit few investigate from a consumers’ quality perception perspective. Therefore, understanding consumer preference for avocado fruit may be considered important both for small farms and for those producers who intend to start the avocado cultivation in the Mediterranean area.