Factor determinants of fruits consumption level in a peri-urban area of Bangladesh

The study was designed to relate fruit consumption with income and determine the influencing factors of fruit consumption at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and its surroundings. Data were collected through direct interviews from 155 respondents (90 fruit buyers and 65 non-buyers) who were selected through random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics, Logit and Tobit model were applied to get meaningful results according to the stated objectives. The findings presented that, except banana, apple, grapes and orange had positive correlation with income and fruit consumption. Banana consumption has found negatively correlated with income. Regression results revealed that per head income and nutritional knowledge has positive and significant influence which leads to the increase in fruit consumption of buyers. On the other hand, gender inequality and higher price of fruits decrease the amount of fruit consumption. From the result of the Tobit model, we found that gender, education level, per head income, nutritional knowledge increases the fruit consumption of consumers. On the other hand, higher prices of fruits decrease the amount of fruit consumption.