Consumser Appreciation of the Mango
Attributes in the Moment of Purchase
The dominant opinion among the trade operators
interviewed in regard to consumer appreciation of the
mango fruit in the moment of purchase is that European
consumers, in general, prioritize color – for them, it is
the attribute that best translates ripeness. It is important
to add that respondents find the European consumers
have difficulty to assess ripeness and thus frequently
reject the orange-reddish skin mangos thinking they
are over-ripe. Appearance also deserves considerable
importance once the absence of external damage and
fruit uniformity – easily perceived by consumers – are
determinant to these traders’ choice of the fruit in order
to meet consumers’ demands. Pulp firmness, size and
shape are also taken into consideration.
According the majority of these respondents, internal
attributes such as pulp fibrousness, sweetness, and aroma
are fundamental for a full perception of this product’s
quality. However, these are characteristics the consumer
can only assess after the product has been bought; thus,
they influence traders’ decision only in future purchases.
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from
Developing Countries (2009b), in its study on the EU
mango market, further indicates color and appearance
as the most important factors in the decision to
purchase the product. The study also confirms the
difficulty to assess mango ripeness as one of the major
barriers for consumers in the moment of purchase.
Elhadi (2005), who has also investigated the mango
international trade, holds that the major reason for the
reduced number of varieties traded in the international
market (approximately ten species) results from the fact
that most Asian and African varieties are of green skin even
when ripe, what poses significant obstacles to buyers.
With respect to the weight of mangos’ organoleptic
qualities on buyers’ decisions, as identified in our study,
it can be said they are in agreement with the findings
of various studies on consumers’ assessment of fruit
products, as the one carried out by Echeverria; López e
Lara (2008). These authors argue that the predominant
concept of quality at market level is determined
by the consumer, and as the act of consuming a
fruit is a pleasure-generating activity, flavor is the
determinant factor in consumers’ definite acceptance
of the fruit, even when price and visual and nutritional
characteristics are considered.