Consumer preferences for wild game meat: evidence from a hybrid choice model on wild boar meat in Italy

Abstract

The increasing numbers of wild animals in Europe is leading, on the one hand, to growing problems stemming from their interaction with human activities. On the other, many European countries have still not developed national supply chains to market wild game. Instead, these supply chains could represent a win–win strategy in providing a sustainable alternative to production via intensive livestock farming and developing rural territories. Our aim was to understand consumer behaviour towards wild game meat. We conducted a choice experiment on wild boar meat on a sample of Italian consumers (625). The application of a hybrid model combining a structural equation model and a latent class analysis allowed us to identify the antecedents of attitude towards wild game meat and to analyse consumer choices by utilising attitude as an explanatory variable. The results provide useful suggestions to implement rural development policies and offer food for thought in the area of consumer behaviour.

The Influence of Sensory Characteristics of Game Meat on Consumer Neuroperception: A Narrative Review

“…The foundation of a sustainable supply chain depends heavily on perception. Food safety is one of the biggest obstacles to the consumption of wild game meat [ 150 ]. In this respect, a study from 2020 by Niewiadomska et al [ 38 ] reported a correlation between a significant consumption of wild game meat and lower safety concerns.…”

“…Fantechi [ 150 ] points out very well the fact that consumer choices should be oriented towards game meat products to be considered an alternative supply chain. The author highlights how important it is to understand the correlation between the consumer attitude towards game meat, which is closely related to different perceptions about hunting.…”

Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and their human health implications from One Health perspective

“…The red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) is a wild ungulate, widely distributed in the Iberian Peninsula and other European countries (Mattioli et al, 2022 ). Hunting and game meat consumption represent a vital part of the economy of most European countries (Fantechi et al, 2022 ).…”

The dynamics of Toxoplasmosis epidemiology in large islands: the role of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

“…Alongside the increase in wild boar populations, several European countries, like France, Spain, Austria, and Germany are witnessing a growing wild game meat market, which pose health challenges linked to the risk of human infections(Fantechi et al 2022). Notably, a recent study in Poland showed that higher consumption of wild game meat is correlated with lower safety concerns(Niewiadomska et al 2020;Fantechi et al 2022). , in contrast with data from other studies previously conducted in intensively and extensively farmed animals from the same area(Scala et al 2008;Pipia et al 2018b;Dessì et al 2022).…”

“…For these reasons, this species acts as indicator for studies of the geographical variations of T. gondii prevalence and incidence(Ranucci et al 2013), and offer a suitable biological model for investigating T. gondii infection dynamics(Beral et al 2012). Alongside the increase in wild boar populations, several European countries, like France, Spain, Austria, and Germany are witnessing a growing wild game meat market, which pose health challenges linked to the risk of human infections(Fantechi et al 2022). Notably, a recent study in Poland showed that higher consumption of wild game meat is correlated with lower safety concerns(Niewiadomska et al 2020;Fantechi et al 2022).…”