In this period of confinement, the French want to eat more responsible and local.
For 73% of French people, the context of the crisis gives them (more) desire to consume responsibly, according to the results of the second barometer of the food transition carried out by Opinionway for Max Havelaar France.
“
The context of the crisis makes people want to consume more responsibly.
The French question their consumption patterns and their reflexes.
A return to simpler and more sustainable products is the result
”, underlines Blaise Desbordes, Managing Director of Max Havelaar France.
To do this, the French favor homemade products.
“
People are cooking more and moving more towards minimally processed products.
We are therefore seeing an increase in sales of raw labeled products such as fruits, spices and chocolate.
For example, the French buy more coffee beans,
”says Blaise Desbordes.
Its sales grew by 35% in value (30% in volume) in one year, according to the Nielsen firm.
Purchases of coffee beans respond to this trend of home-made products from raw products.
“
Do it yourself has been on the rise in recent years and the trend has been accelerated by the health crisis.
People have more time and decide to cook more,
”notes Yuna Chiffoleau, research director at INRAE, which is leading a study called“
Eating in the time of the Coronavirus
”.
"
This test encourages people to continue because they realize that it is not that complicated to make your dishes
", adds the research director.
The French favor short circuits
“
When we cook, we are encouraged to favor short circuits to find quality products.
In the field, producers are seeing the arrival of 10 to 30% more customers,
”adds the specialist.
An observation in line with the conclusions of the study published by the pioneer of fair trade.
"
78% of French people say they are in favor of consuming 100% local products, and this figure is up + 24% compared to the 1st confinement
", underlines the label.
“
Even if for 60% of French people, health issues have taken precedence in daily concerns, responsible food consumption is maintained in the choice of products and, as a novelty, in a growing preference for“ direct producer ”points of sale, markets in particular, but also organic stores,
”explains Blaise Desbordes.
“
The French are moving towards short circuits to support producers,
” observes Yuna Chiffoleau.
The barometer attests to this desire of consumers, 35% are aware that it is they who have the most power to promote the development of the responsible food sector, a figure up 9 points.
A majority of French people also expect companies to take up the subject: "
90% want them to do more to offer more responsible products
," said the study.
For his part, Blaise Desbordes wonders why politicians do not take hold of the subject more clearly.
“
Consumers, producers and brands are changing,” he says.
The latter pleads for
"a collective pact of commitment with a roadmap set by the politician
".
The government's response is awaited.
