Abstract
In our research, we delve into the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on consumers’ food purchase habits. The research involved 3,000 consumers during the first wave of coronavirus. The sample represents the Hungarian population by gender and age. One of our objectives is to examine the motivations of the Hungarian population for food purchases during the restrictions generated by the first wave of COVID-19. The findings suggest that the pandemic could not change consumer attitude significantly, but the order of factors influencing purchases changed. Taste and consistent quality are basic expectations of consumers, a crisis or pandemic cannot change that. Compared to the period before restrictions, the shelf life and packaged nature of the products took precedence in the order of priority. Consumer motivation factors were organized into four well-distinguished factors: Healthy, domestic, and environmentally friendly choice; Usual taste and quality; Reasonable price; Shelf life.
