Does Generation Z Consume Artificial Meat? Türkiye Examination

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of young people between the ages of 18-22 in Türkiye, studying at universities and representing generation Z regarding the consumption of artificial meat and to determine whether there will be a consumer base for artificial meat in Türkiye in the coming years. For this purpose, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a total of 227 individuals, 95 (41.85%) female and 132 (58.15%) male participants. Both quantitative descriptive and qualitative descriptive analysis were used in the research. Qualitative analyses were evaluated using Maxqda 20 Package Program. 77 respondents (33.92%) stated that they could consume artificial meat. 29 (30.52%) female and 45 (34.09%) male participants stated that they could consume artificial meat. Participants stated that they would not consume artificial meat because they were concerned about artificial meat being unhealthy, unnatural, insufficient in terms of nutritional value, unsafe, negatively affecting animal husbandry, and posing a problem in terms of belief. As a result, contrary to expectations, generation Z living in Türkiye has a high potential to consume artificial meat. As long as the concerns of the participants are clarified, we foresee that there will be a more serious increase in the artificial meat consumption potential of the generation Z, which will represent the Turkish population in the future.