MERCADO E O CONSUMO DA CARNE OVINA NO MUNICIPIO DE ITAPIPOCA-CE

The objective of this study was to describe consumers preferences to acquire sheep meat at Itapipoca city, Ceará State, Brazil. Interviews with consumers (n=70) were carried out. The applied questionnaires, asked to consumers the main characteristics that stimulates to buy sheep meat. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of the total interviewees, 80% reported that they consume sheep meat, of which 83% buy meat from butchers. This behavior indicates some caution with place of origin of meat and their quality to acquire this product by the butcher. The meat sheep market of Itapipoca city demonstrate favorable perspectives to sheep breeding, since its demand is high. Consumers are worried about food safety.