92% of Austrians require tax relief for regionality!

92% of Austrians require tax relief for regionality!

As part of the 7th "Austrian consumer dialogues", surveys to cease consumers were carried out between June 23 and July 4 of this year. Over 33,000 citizens took part in these dialogues, but they are not representative. According to the results of the surveys, which took place in cooperation with Salzburg24, 92% of the approximately 3,000 surveyed are supported for tax benefits from regional food. This is a clear signal for politics to strengthen local agriculture.

Another remarkable result of the surveys shows that 91% of the approximately 2,800 respondents believe that food companies have too much power. These concerns are also reflected in the general consumer perception, with 86% of 3,700 respondents demanding a reduction in the sugar content in food and 92% are against the promotion of artificial meat. Sebastian Bohrn Mena, the organizer of the consumer dialogue, commented on the results as crucial for future political measures.

Consumer trend to regionality

Additional insights came from a nationwide survey that surveyed over 6,000 consumers. It is particularly striking that 80% of the participants pay attention to regional origin in fresh fruit and vegetables. In contrast, only 12% of processed foods from canned goods or frozen products believe that they should be regional. In the case of meat and sausages, 58% of those surveyed also show an increased interest in regional products. Historically, however, the definition of "region" has changed; Almost half of the participants consider the production and processing of regional products to be a process that should only take place in the respective region, while only 6% of all of Germany as a "region" ( food practice.de ).

The voice of consumers

The surveys also show that 72% of the consuming belief that the purchase of regional products is strengthened by the purchase of regional products and 72% are convinced of protecting the environment. These beliefs promote trust in regional manufacturers and reveal the increasing need for more transparency and responsibility in food production. Over a third of the respondents also see their preference for regional products as a contribution to the preservation of the variety and biodiversity.

The increasing interest in regional food and awareness of their importance is therefore evident in various surveys and studies. It remains to be seen how politics will react to these clear consumer requests and what measures are taken to sustainably promote domestic agriculture and regional products.