Resumen

ALBORNOZ, Arlenis et al. Purchase attributes of fresh fruits at domestic level. Bioagro [online]. 2009, vol.21, n.1, pp.57-62. ISSN 1316-3361.

Due to the fruit importance within Venezuelan diet, and the changes in the consumption habit, an study was carried out in Maracaibo municipality, Zulia State, Venezuela, to evaluate the association among behavior variables in the purchase of fruits. An interchange analysis was used to define the attributes considered by the consumer at the time of buying fresh fruit. The attributes were color, damage, shape, ripeness, size and smell, and the selected fruits were banana, citrics, pineapple, guava, cantaloupe, papaw, sapodilla, watermelon, and strawberry. The surveyed population was represented by family homes distributed in 18 parish, for a sample of 384 families randomly and stratified selected. The survey was applied as data gathering instrument, which were codified later analyzed by SAS statistical package. The results obtained in the perceptual map suggest that consumers take into account damage and ripeness when buying guava and papaw. In bananas, besides the former attributes, size and color were considered. Size and color are also considered for citrics and watermelon were size and color. Smell was the highest attribute associated with sapodilla and pineapple. Strawberry and cantaloupe did not show any special attribute although might be associated to damage and size of the fruit.

Palabras clave : Fruit consumption; correspondence analysis; purchase attributes.