Consumer Behavior and Preferences in Food Systems Under Socioeconomic and Environmental Challenges

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 87

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: consumer preferences; food choice; preference valuation methods; discrete choice modeling; preference heterogeneity; hybrid choice modeling

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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Institute of Sustainable Development, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: food quality schemes; geographical indications; short food supply chains; farmers’ markets; agri-food trade
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Guest Editor
Department of Agribusiness, Institute for the Development of Enterprises, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: sustainable food systems; consumer behavior; consumer preferences; food waste; food choice

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, food systems have been facing increasing pressure due to various socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as climate change, resource shortages, rising food prices, demographic changes, and growing consumer demands for sustainability and health. These factors significantly influence consumer behavior and preferences, shaping what, how, and why we choose the foods we consume.

A deeper understanding of consumer decision-making processes and behavioral patterns is therefore key to developing resilient and sustainable food systems. Exploring consumer preferences and perceptions can help all actors in the food supply chain—from producers to retailers to policymakers—respond effectively to these evolving challenges.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together the latest research and perspectives on consumer behavior and preferences in the context of evolving food systems. We welcome contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Impacts of socio-economic and environmental factors on food choices;
  • Consumer perceptions of food quality, safety, sustainability, and labeling;
  • Cross-cultural and demographic differences in consumer preferences;
  • Strategies for fostering sustainable and healthy eating behaviors.

All types of articles, including original research, reviews, and opinion papers, are welcome. We look forward to your valuable contributions, which will deepen our understanding of consumer behavior and its role in shaping the future of food systems.

Dr. Péter Czine
Dr. Áron Török
Dr. Zalán Márk Maró
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • consumer behavior
  • food preferences
  • cross-cultural differences
  • socio-economic factors
  • environmental challenges
  • sustainable food systems
  • food choice drivers
  • healthy eating behaviors
  • food labeling

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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