An investigation into Italian consumers’ awareness, perception, knowledge of European Union quality certifications, and consumption of agri-food products carrying those certifications

The present study investigated Italian consumers’ awareness, perception, knowledge of European Union (EU) quality certifications: Protected Designation Origin (PDO), Geographical Indication (PGI), Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG), and organic as well the consumption agri-food products carrying those certifications. A total 212 consumers responsible for food purchases took part in a web-based survey between June December 2019, inclusive. Descriptive statistics were calculated relation to data collected, followed by factor analysis reduce dimensionality, cluster on latent variables generated, identify similarities differences among respondents. Awareness, EU labels has increased recent years. results related consumer’s quality-certified showed that more than half respondents able spontaneously quote examples PDO (76%), PGI (56%) (73%) while only 33% participants could name at least one TSG product. general awareness guarantees offered certifications was also assessed production processes, natural human factors particular environment reputation region. Cluster with highest education most likely value support their local economies. information obtained have practical implications marketing communication certified national international level.