The growing demand for livestock products is associated with an increase in environmental, economic, and ethical issues. New alternative sources of protein such as edible insects have recently been developed to tackle these issues with fewer drawbacks. However, several challenges are associated with insect-based food, mainly regarding consumer acceptance and commercialization. In this systematic review, we explored these challenges by reviewing 85 papers from 2010 to 2020, which were selected following the PRISMA methodology. Additionally, we applied the SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type) tool for developing the inclusion criteria. Our analysis adds new knowledge to previous systematic reviews on this topic. It reveals both a comprehensive framework of factors influencing consumers’ acceptance of insects as food and aspects of the marketing mix of these products. Disgust, food neophobia, familiarity, visibility of insects, and taste appear to be the most significant factors that can prevent consumers from consuming insects as food. The motivations for acceptance are found to be familiarity and exposure. The results of this review provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders who wish to develop marketing strategies that can increase consumer acceptance of insects as food.

Globally, crop loss is a serious problem that affects economic resources. Thus, the study aimed mainly to assess the consequences of date production losses in Saudi Arabia. Also, the study pointed out to assess the connection between dates quantities loss, harvested area, and production. In addition, it aimed to disclose the performance of dates losses present and future. Time-series data from 1992 to 2023 were compiled from FAO statistics to evaluate the variables using Johansen cointegration, Error Correction modeling, Granger causality, and predictive regression analysis. The cointegration test results establish that the series are integrated in the long run, validating the presence of a steady-state equilibrium. The F-Statistic of the Granger causality test indicate the presence of unidirectional causality from harvested area towards date losses and production. The outcomes of the regression model indicate that an increase of 10 tons of date losses will result in an increase in area losses by 0.046 ha. Reference to forecast analysis, the growth rates of dates are equal to 2.18% and 0.0099% for the period 1992 to 2023 and the forecast for the period 2023 to 2030, respectively, signifying that there is a decrease in quantities of date losses during the prediction period. From the results, some recommendations were drawn: date loss should be reduced through strengthening and increasing the targeted programs and policies of government’s efforts. Decreasing dates losses can decrease the burden on agricultural land resources and contribute to sustainable agriculture goals.

Climate change influences crop prices through its impacts on agricultural production, costs, consumer and producer behavior, and the market equilibrium. Therefore, this study aims to examine the dynamic relationship between climate variability and date palm producer prices in Saudi Arabia utilizing annual time-series data from 1991 to 2024 and applying a Vector Autoregression (VAR) method to investigate dynamic responses over shorter and longer horizons. The analysis incorporates impulse response functions (IRFs), forecast error variance decomposition (FEVD), and historical decomposition (HD). The empirical findings indicate that date palm producer prices exhibit strong persistence and are predominantly explained by their own innovations in the short run. At horizon 10, date-palm producer-price innovations account for 94.82% of the forecast-error variance, while climatic variables jointly account for approximately 5.18%. Although climate factors’ shocks exert measurable short-run effects on producer prices, these responses diminish over time, indicating that the market effectively absorbs climate-related changes while maintaining persistence. However, FEVD and HD results reveal that the contribution of temperature and relative humidity to producer price fluctuations increases steadily over time, highlighting the growing importance of climate variability in shaping long-term market dynamics. The findings highlight the relevance of considering climate-smart agricultural practices, drought-tolerant date-palm varieties, and climate adaptation and risk-management strategies in the date-palm sector. While these measures were not directly evaluated in the present model, they may contribute to strengthening the sector’s resilience to climatic variability, supporting price stability, and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Their specific effects on price volatility and food security, however, require further empirical investigation.

Climate change influences crop prices through its impacts on agricultural production, costs, consumer and producer behavior, and the market equilibrium. Therefore, this study aims to examine the dynamic relationship between climate change and date palm producer prices in Saudi Arabia utilizing a Vector Autoregression (VAR) method to investigate short-run and long-run dynamics. The analysis incorporates impulse response functions (IRFs), forecast error variance decomposition (FEVD), and historical decomposition (HD). The empirical findings indicate that date palm producer prices exhibit strong persistence and are predominantly explained by their own innovations in the short run. Although climate factors’ shocks exert measurable short-run effects on producer prices, these responses diminish over time, indicating that the market effectively absorbs climate-related changes while maintaining long-run equilibrium. However, FEVD and HD results reveal that the contribution of temperature and relative humidity to producer price fluctuations increases steadily over time, highlighting the growing importance of climate change in shaping long-term market dynamics. The findings emphasize the need for policies that boost climate-smart agriculture and drought-tolerant date palm varieties. Increasing climate adaptation and risk management strategies will improve the resilience of the date palm sector, reduce long-term price volatility, promote sustainable agricultural development, and enhance food security in Saudi Arabia.