Consumption pattern of milk and dairy products among different income levels in rural, town, and city areas of Sabah, Malaysia during COVID-19 outbreaks

Increasing consumer standards of living, which are regarded to be elements influencing changing lifestyles and global patterns in consumption, are driving the growing transformation of the food industry. Milk and dairy products are meals that are well-known for their pleasant taste as well as their high nutritional content. During the Covid-19 outbreak, there were numerous shortages of dairy goods on the shelves of grocery stores. This study investigated the patterns of milk and dairy product consumption among different socioeconomic levels in a number of chosen areas in Sabah. The consumption and expenditure behavioural of milk and dairy products during Covid-19 outbreaks also identified. The samples of household income were classified into 5 groups (<RM2000, RM2001- RM3000, RM3001-RM4000, RM4001-RM5000, and >RM5000). The data were collected in three different areas in Sabah, Malaysia, comprising 16 from the rural areas, 25 from town area, and 23 from city area aged 16 to 60 years. The complete data were analysed using the IBM, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Among milk and dairy products, this study showed that there was a significant relationship between consumption of fresh milk with household income levels. The major allocation of expenditure was devoted to powder/formula milk, followed by ice cream, and fresh milk and other dairy products. Most of the respondents had reduced their consumption and expenditure behavioural during Covid-19 outbreaks. Additionally, this study indicates that individuals of the city areas consumed more milk and dairy products, and when the income of family members rises, the consumption of milk and dairy products will rise as well.