Abstract
This study was conducted to survey the attitudes of oyster consumers and to analyze their purchase behaviors based on demographic variables. To accomplish this, a questionnaire that was developed based on content analysis and panel discussion was distributed to 467 general consumers. The majority of the respondents ate oysters (90.6%), although the proportion of oyster consumers increased with age. The primary reasons for not-eating oysters were odor (33.3%), flavor (16.7%) and concern for safety (11.9%). Most respondents consumed raw oysters (96.1%) during winter (70.0%) at discount stores (51.3%). Fishery wholesale markets were the most common places to purchase oysters for respondents in their 60 s, while the other groups reported that discount stores were the most common place to purchase oysters. Most respondents ate oysters the day of purchased (53.2%). Furthermore, most respondents (39.2%) reported that they consumed the oysters only after evaluating the appearance and odor and that they avoided oysters during summer for safety. Women were more likely to check the expiration date than men, while housewives were the most likely to check the expiration and usually kept the oysters at refrigerator. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the various types of oyster products must be targeted toward different demographic markets. Moreover, this study will be useful for promoting the safer and more effective consumption of oysters.
