Contribution of different food outlets to the purchase of unprocessed or minimally processed foods in Brazil

Abstract There is still little evidence in the literature about the the outlets where unprocessed or minimally processed foods are purchased in world’s low- and middle-income countries. This study describes the purchase of such foods (including fruits and vegetables) for household consumption in Brazil according to food outlet type and geographic location. This study uses data from the Household Budget Surveys 2017–2018 on household purchases of unprocessed or minimally processed foods according to the NOVA classification and of the subgroup of fruits and vegetables. Assessments were made of the relative and absolute share of number of items and fresh weight of unprocessed or minimally processed foods and fruits and vegetables purchased according to food outlets and geographic location of households. Supermarkets were the main outlets for purchase of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, especially in the Central-West, Southeast, and South regions (more developed) and urban areas of Brazil. The second main outlet for purchase of unprocessed or minimally processed in all evaluated strata were mini-markets, with a share similar to that of supermarkets in the North, Northeast regions of Brazil (less developed), or the rural areas. Supermarkets were the main food outlets for fruits and vegetables in all regions, with the exception of the Northeast, where street markets dominated. In conclusion, although supermarkets are the main source of purchase of unprocessed or minimally processed foods in Brazil, purchase in traditional retail stores (such as mini-markets and street markets) remains important, especially for fruits and vegetables.