As part of the government's Politique bioalimentaire, the level of consumer confidence is monitored periodically using the « Baromètre de la confiance des consommateurs québécois à l'égard des aliments ». This measurement tool was developed by a team of researchers from CIRANO following a review of the literature on the concepts of trust applied to the food sector and a consultation of many food sector stakeholders. A first edition was conducted in 2019.

This report presents the descriptive results of the 2nd edition of the “Baromètre de la confiance des consommateurs québécois à l'égard des aliments” which data collection took place in February 2021.

Some highlights of this 2nd edition:

While Quebec, like all countries, is going through an unprecedented health crisis, Quebecers have complete confidence in the province's food sector, and this confidence is on the rise compared to 2019, whether it involves food, places of purchase, companies in the food sector, regulations or even labeling.

The results show that Quebecers' food skills have improved over the 2019-2021 period and that Quebecers have changed or intend to change their purchasing behaviours by favoring healthier foods and by prioritizing the purchase of foods from Quebec. 54% plan to increase their consumption of Quebec foods in the coming year (48% in 2019).

Food prices and food inputs are still a concern, but Quebecers are less concerned overall in 2021 than in 2019.

Finally, when asked to rate the level of importance to be given to the societal choices that Quebec should prioritize for the future, Quebecers put increasing Quebec's food autonomy in first place. Next, with an average tie, come societal choices related to access to food, not only in terms of price but also in terms of healthy food, the development of environmentally friendly agriculture and finally the economic development of the sector.

All of the actions voted for by Quebecers, totally in line with the actions proposed in the Politique bioalimentaire, coupled with the great confidence shown by the population towards the sector, confirm that the food sector can and must be part of the solutions for the post-pandemic economic recovery of Quebec.