Game meat market analysis: from hunter to consumer

V okviru magistrskega dela smo proučevali odnos potrošnikov do divjačinskega mesa (DM) ter njihovo seznanjenost z delovanjem lovskih društev (LD) in z ukrepi prehranske varnosti pri upravljanju z DM. Nadalje nas je zanimala ocena potrošnikov in lovcev o prisotnosti in obsegu krivolova v Sloveniji in trženja nezakonito pridobljenega DM. Podatke za raziskavo smo pridobili s pomočjo dveh ločenih anket, ki smo jih razširili med potrošnike (n=402) in lovce (n=216). Za nadaljnje analize smo potrošnike razdelili glede na to, ali so DM že uživali ali ne (DM-DA in DM-NE). Med potrošniki omenjenih skupin smo ugotovili precej razlik glede sprejemljivosti in varnosti DM. Več kot 90 % potrošnikov je sicer DM že poskusilo. Ti potrošniki so tudi nekoliko bolje seznanjeni z delovanjem LD in vzpostavljeno prehransko varnostjo DM. Prav tako smatrajo DM za bolj ali vsaj enako okusno kot meso domačih živali in so zanj pripravljeni odšteti več. Potrošniki DM najpogosteje dobavljajo pri lovcih, kar se sklada s trditvami lovcev, katerih polovica je potrdila, da DM oziroma izdelke iz DM, podarjajo/prodajajo tretji osebi. Večina lovcev DM tudi predeluje. Presenetljivo je, da skoraj 20 % lovcev izdelkom, z vidika prehranske varnosti, ne zaupa popolnoma. Potrošniki in lovci menijo, da je krivolov stalno prisotna praksaocena deleža krivolova je s strani potrošnikov sicer višja kot s strani lovcev. Meso, pridobljeno na nezakonit način, ki ni veterinarsko pregledano in tako predstavlja določeno zdravstveno tveganje, se po mnenju lovcev le v manjšem deležu nameni za prodajo, saj se večina porabi za lastne potrebe. Raziskava posredno kaže na vlogo DM kot alternativnega vira hrane, posledično pa je tudi področje pridobivanja, predelave in trgovanja z DM še relativno slabo razvito in poznano, zato bo v prihodnje potrebna še dodatna ureditev področja.Consumers’ attitudes towards venison (VM) and their familiarity with activities of hunting associations (HA), and food safety measures in VM management were studied. We were also interested in the consumers’ and hunters’ assessment of the presence and extent of poaching in Slovenia and the marketing of illegally obtained VM. Data were acquired using separate surveys for consumers (n=402) and hunters (n=216). Consumers were divided into VM-YES (eat VM) or VM-NO (do not eat VM) group. Considerable differences in the acceptability and safety of VM were found among these two groups. Over 90% of consumers have already consumed VM. These consumers are slightly better acquainted with the functioning of HA and the established food safety of VM. They also consider VM as more or as tasty as domestic meat and are willing to pay more for it. Consumers and hunters confirmed that VM or VM products are often given/purchased to third parties. Most hunters also deal with VM processing. Almost 20% of them, surprisingly, do not trust the products completely from the food safety point of view. Consumers and hunters believe that poaching is a constant practicethe percentage of poaching was assessed higher by consumers compared to hunters. According to hunters, only a small proportion of meat that is obtained illegally i.e. has not been vet-checked and poses thus a certain health risk, is intended for sale (the rest is for self-sufficiency). The research indirectly points to the role of VM as an alternative food source. As VM production, processing, and trade is still relatively poorly developed and known, additional regulation of the field is needed in the future