A grocery-hoarding frenzy amid the coronavirus outbreak is slowing down as more Russians begin to make sensible plans for grocery shopping.
MOSCOW, March 26, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey on Russians’ food strategies amidst unfavorable epidemiological situation.
Photos of empty shelves spread on the Internet have not influenced Russian shopping plans. An absolute majority of Russians do not think it is really important to stock up on foods due to the coronavirus outbreak (87%). Only one out of ten Russians opposes this opinion (11%). This share is higher among respondents aged 18-24 (17%) and 35-44 (17%), as well as metropolitan residents (15%).
Of 11% of Russians who support stockpiling, less than half (43%) have made it come true over the last two or three months.
The grocery basket of a hoarder includes whole grains (49%), canned foods (31%), sugar (27%), pasta (25%) and flour (22%). Respondents also stock up on salt (16%), oil (15%) and meat (15%).
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 21, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey
Let us talk about the situation in Russia. In your opinion, is it important to stock up on foods at the moment due to the coronavirus outbreak? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | 60 and older |
Yes, it is important | 11 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 8 | 8 |
No, it is not important | 87 | 83 | 86 | 81 | 90 | 90 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Let us talk about the situation in Russia. In your opinion, is it important to stock up on foods at the moment due to the coronavirus outbreak? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St Petersburg | Million cities | 500-950 thsd inabitants | 100–500 thsd inabitants | Less than 100 thsd inabitants | Rural area |
Yes, it is important | 11 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
No, it is not important | 87 | 84 | 88 | 86 | 89 | 88 | 85 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Over the last two or three months have you stocked up on foods due to the coronavirus outbreak? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who consider it is better to stock up on foods) | |
| % of those who say it is better to stock up on foods |
Yes | 43 |
No | 57 |
In your opinion, what foods should be stocked up on at the moment? Up to 5 answers | |
| % of those who say it is better to stock up on foods |
Grains | 49 |
Canned goods | 31 |
Sugar | 27 |
Pasta | 25 |
Flour | 22 |
Salt | 16 |
Oil | 15 |
Meat | 15 |
Buckwheat | 11 |
Other | 48 |
Don’t know | 20 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.