Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi

Öz

Sellers in street markets play an essential role in the supply of agricultural products to consumers. This study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sellers in street markets. In the study, first the socioeconomic characteristics of sellers in street markets were analyzed and then the impact of the pandemic and measures taken on sellers in street markets was demonstrated. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on 56 sellers who accepted to interview out of 60 sellers registered to the largest street market established every Tuesday in Kartepe district of Kocaeli province. In the research, a chi-square test and a variance analysis were carried out to test and analyze the relationship between the impacts of pandemic on street market sellers and their demographic characteristics. 5-point Likert scale was employed to demonstrate sellers’ thoughts about the COVID-19 pandemic and their attitudes towards and opinions on the measures they took. According to the research results, 89.3% of the sellers stated the COVID-19 pandemic had caused a decrease in the income earned from the street market and 96.4% of them indicated the number of consumers in the street market had decreased. Besides, the measures taken most by the sellers were found to be offering the products in plastic bags and using gloves and masks. In the study, street market sellers’ solution suggestions for their problems during the pandemic were presented as well.