Abstract

UZCANGA PEREZ, Nelda Guadalupe; CAMARENA GOMEZ, Dena María Jesús; CORTAZAR RIOS, Matilde  and  GONGORA PEREZ, Rubén Darío. Consumption preferences for products derived from coconut in Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.1, pp.45-57. ISSN 2007-0934.

The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is native from Asia and is one of the most iconic tropical crops. Its importance has driven the development of various industries such as fiber substrates, bottling, oil, machines, candy and wood, among others. In Mexico the commercial cultivation of coconut is over a hundred years and for decades was the engine of the economy in coastal regions of both the Pacific (Guerrero, Colima, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Jalisco and Chiapas) as the Gulf and Caribbean (Tabasco, Veracruz, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo). However, from 1999 it planted area was reduced, a situation that led the activity to a point of instability and decline. In this context, the search for new options that add value to products and derivatives from coconut is a need to increase the competitiveness of producers. Hence, the objective of this research is to analyze consumer preferences towards three alternatives derived from coconut: tuba, oil and coconut water. To do so, a study of organoleptic tests was supplemented by structured interviews during 2010 and 2011 in three towns in southeastern Mexico. For tuba coconut was identified that flavor is the attribute that scored highest with 5.97, ranking in the taste of 93.9% of respondents in the three towns. Other attributes such as appearance and color, both qualified with 5.95. In the case of food made with coconut oil, was rated as tasty and identified as a potential consumption of three bottles of coconut oil per month of 500 ml, being plastic container the top choice. Coconut water is mainly seen as seasonal, although most consumers would be willing to consume bottled coconut water in 500 ml presentation if the packaging process ensures preservation of flavor and nutritional properties.

Keywords : Cocos nucifera L.; marketing; product attributes.