Recent analysis of food consumption in the Balearic Islands
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, through its General Directorate of Food Quality and Local Product, has carried out an exhaustive study on the preferences of Mallorcan consumers regarding the traditional foods of the Balearic Islands. This report, which covers the period from 2016 to 2023, provides a clear view of how the consumption of these products has evolved over the years.
Methodology of the study
The study is based on a survey conducted in 2023, which collected the opinions of 1,019 food consumers, achieving an accuracy of ± 3% and a confidence level of 95%. The variables analyzed include sex, age, place of birth, residence and food purchase points.
Classification of traditional foods
The traditional foods of the Balearic Islands have been grouped into three main categories: bakery and pastry products, vegetable foods and meat products. The former include farmer’s bread, oil biscuits and robiols. In the second group, the Ramellet tomatoes and Sóller oranges stand out, while the meat products include sobrassada and botifarró.
Trends in the consumption of baked goods
According to the report, a remarkable 91.3% of respondents claim to buy peasant bread at least once a year, followed by panadas (84.8%) and oil biscuits (84.5%). However, a decrease in the frequency of purchase of these products has been detected compared to 2018.
Vegetable products: growing popularity
Vegetable foods have experienced an increase in demand, with Sóller oranges increasing from 53% to 62.6% in purchases. The vine tomato remains the favorite with 93.8% of consumers buying it regularly.
Consumption of meat products: a deep-rooted tradition
In the case of meat products, sobrassada is bought by 85.6% of consumers, while pork reaches 73.5%. These data reflect a strong connection with local traditions, especially among those born in the Islands.
Reflections on the future of food consumption
Joan Llabrés, director general of Agri-Food Quality and Local Product, has highlighted the importance of this trend, stressing that ‘the study reveals a growing interest of consumers in purchasing traditional foods’. This opens the door to greater collaboration between the agri-food industry and the retail sector to ensure that local products are properly valued and recognized.