Change and the Factor of Mushroom Consumption in Household Economy

Abstract

We investigated the factors of the changes in mushroom consumption behavior based on household budgets. Since 1999, the mushroom consumption behavior of households has shown a consumption trend towards a more various range of mushrooms, although keeping the constant consumption quantity of mushrooms every year. Among the items of mushrooms, the consumption of existing items including fresh shiitake and enokitake has decreased, and conversely, the frequency of purchase of new items including bunashimeji and maitake has increased. However, the factors of these changes are different for age groups like young people from the 20s to the 30s, and elderly people in their 50s to over the 60 years of age. The diversification of the consumption behavior of the young generation has spread mainly caused by the price decline and the prevalence of cooking methods. Conversely, the diversification of the consumption behavior of elderly people is considered to be mainly caused by the factors of health consideration and the novelty of tastes and shapes instead of the price decline and the prevalence of cooking methods.