A Comparison between Hungarian and Romanian Honey Consumption

Abstract

Honey consumption behaviour varies from one country to another, from one population toanother. Although Romania and Hungary are in the top of the European honey producers, the domesticconsumption is low. Starting in these circumstances, the study aims to conduct a comparative analysisof honey consumption behaviour in the two countries, and to identify the factors determining it. Theresearch method used was the sociologic survey. Studies were conducted in 2008 and 2010 in Hungaryand in 2007 and 2012 in Romania, as part of the authors’ doctoral and postdoctoral research. Thus, theassumptions made were as it follows: H1. Honey consumption behaviour is determined by certainsocio-demographic characteristics; H2. There is a link between the adoption of a healthy lifestyle andthe honey consumption. Following the conducted investigations, the conclusion may be that, forRomania, the two hypotheses can be fully accepted. This can be explained by the fact that Romanianswere always open to the alternative medicine. In the case of Hungary, the first hypothesis is totallyaccepted and the second only partially. Hungarian consumers associate the honey consumption with itshealth benefits but in a lessened proportion. The originality of the study derives from its innovativecharacter at a European level.