Bioactive compounds of edible and medicinal mushrooms

Iva Mračić Raič*, Romana Popović*, Mara Marić, Sanda Desnica

University of Dubrovnik, Department for Mediterranean Plants, Marka Marojice 4, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia

ARTICLE INFO	ABSTRACT
TYPE: Original scientific paper https://doi.org/10.17508/CJFST.2026.18.1.08 PDF	The global market is experiencing growing demand for low- and non-alcoholic wines, driven by lifestyle changes, increasing health awareness, and rising interest in sustainable dietary habits. Although this trend is well developed internationally, in Croatia, and particularly in Dubrovnik–Neretva County, the perception and acceptance of dealcoholized wines are still at an early stage. This study investigates the determinants of consumer attitudes, knowledge, and consumption habits related to dealcoholized wines in Dubrovnik–Neretva County, as well as the extent to which local consumers differ from visitors, who often come from more developed markets. To this end, a consumer survey was conducted in Dubrovnik–Neretva County in 2025 to determine levels of awareness, consumption motivations, and barriers influencing acceptance of these products. This paper addresses a topic that has so far been rarely researched in Croatia, placing particular emphasis on the specific characteristics of Dubrovnik–Neretva County as a wine-growing region in the context of dealcoholized wines. The results indicate that local consumers approach dealcoholized wines cautiously and within a more traditional framework, with limited awareness and moderate willingness to purchase them. Differences observed among visitors suggest higher levels of awareness and openness, providing additional context for interpreting local consumer behaviour. The research confirms that a positive perception alone is insufficient to change consumption habits; key factors include product availability, opportunities for tasting, clear communication regarding the dealcoholization process and sensory quality, and the integration of such wines into the wider eno-gastronomic offer. From the perspective of Dubrovnik–Neretva County, the market potential of dealcoholized wines lies primarily in increasing awareness and acceptance among the local population, while insights from visitor behaviour may support the development of targeted strategies.
*CORRESPONDENCE Iva Mračić Raič iva.mracic@unidu.hr Romana Popović romana.popovic@unidu.hr
ARTICLE HISTORY Received: February 13, 2026 Accepted: April 20, 2026
CITATION Mračić Raič I, Popović R, Marić M, Desnica S. Analysis of consumer habits related to dealcoholized wines in Dubrovnik–Neretva County. Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology (2026) 18 (1) 99―112
COPYRIGHT: © 2026 by the author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND).
	KEYWORDS dealcoholized wines; consumer perception; consumption habits; Dubrovnik–Neretva County; market trends
	KEY CONTRIBUTION The study provides the first systematic insight into the knowledge, attitudes, and consumer habits related to dealcoholized wines in Dubrovnik–Neretva County. It compared the attitudes and behaviours of residents and tourists, with primary emphasis on the local population, while differences observed among visitors were used for comparative purposes. Key motivations among participants from Dubrovnik–Neretva County include health concerns, avoiding alcohol, and driving, while major barriers are limited information, low availability, and concerns regarding sensory quality. The findings indicate that, although awareness and interest exist among the local population, acceptance remains moderate and requires further development, highlighting the importance of education, improved availability, and maintenance of sensory quality. Differences observed among tourists suggest higher levels of awareness and openness, providing additional context for understanding local consumer behaviour rather than representing the primary focus of the study.