Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin presents the key findings of the 2025 edition of the Baromètre de la confiance dans les aliments at the BÉNÉFIQ Conference.

As part of the Government of Quebec’s Politique bioalimentaire, consumer confidence levels are measured through the Baromètre de la confiance des consommateurs québécois à l’égard des aliments, a tool developed at CIRANO by Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, President and CEO, Researcher and Fellow CIRANO, Full Professor at Polytechnique Montréal, and Ingrid Peignier, Senior Director of Partnerships and Research Valorization and Project Director at CIRANO.

Since 2019, the Baromètre has monitored the evolution of Quebecers’ perceptions, knowledge, and behaviours regarding food, while identifying the key determinants of their confidence. It serves as a valuable decision-making tool for the government and stakeholders throughout the biofood sector.

The 4th edition, published on November 4, 2025, was conducted in a post-pandemic context marked by persistently high food prices and growing global instability, where geopolitical and environmental tensions increasingly shape consumer perceptions and behaviours.

Based on a representative sample of 1,003 Quebecers, this edition reveals that public confidence in food is regaining some strength but remains fragile, resting on three key pillars: proximity, transparency, and credibility of stakeholders.
This nuanced portrait highlights a dual challenge: meeting citizens’ expectations for proximity and transparency while strengthening their ability to understand and act within an increasingly complex food system.

The results of the CIRANO Barometer informed the discussions of a session at the 7th edition of the BÉNÉFIQ 2025 event, organized by INAF and Université Laval, entitled “Geopolitical Instability and Environmental Changes: Opportunities or Threats for the Agri-Food Sector?” The session, co-chaired by Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin and Yan Cimon, explored the challenges and opportunities facing the agri-food sector—particularly the food processing industry—in a context of significant uncertainty, including issues related to climate and adaptation dynamics. The findings of the CIRANO Barometer on consumer confidence enriched the discussion by illustrating how public perception has become a key lever in strengthening the sector’s resilience.

Discover the results of this 4th edition through several resources:

→ Highlights video of the 4th edition
→ Article in the CIRANO PERSPECTIVES Review
→ Full CIRANO Report