What effect has Covid-19 had on changing household food consumption? A case study of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

Four waves of the Covid-19 epidemic have drastically affected consumer behaviors in Vietnam, particularly during the period of social distancing in the second half of 2021. This study was done to investigate changes in household food acquisition and consumption patterns in Ho Chi Minh City. During the most severe wave of Covid-19 in Vietnam, an online poll was used to collect data from 130 customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Before Covid-19 (before January 2021), food was primarily purchased from traditional markets and other direct methods. After Covid-19 occurred (since January 2021), changes in food acquisition methods were found as 52% of respondents went to the grocery stores, traditional markets, and supermarkets less often. Moreover, consumers have changed their online shopping behaviors as 48% bought more food online compared to pre-Covid-19 periods. Since Covid-19, surveyed households consumed less food, specifically fresh produce (44.6%), fast food (60.8%), canned food (37.7%), prepped meals (60.8%), grains (43.1%), and snacks (43.8%). In opposition, more frozen foods (46%) and more meat (47%) were consumed since the pandemic. From the estimated ordinal probit regression, the study found that the determinants that most explain changes in food consumption are age, household size, education, income, affected income, workplace status, and the afraid of food shortage.