Final answer:
Buyers select fruits and products based on taste, appearance, price, and nutritional value. Ripening affects fruit characteristics important to buyers. Personality, income, and market prices also influence preference and demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Buyers often select fruits and products based on a combination of factors including taste and flavor, size, shape, and appearance, price and quantity, and nutritional value. The mental process known as ripening leads to changes in aroma, color, taste, and texture, which are pivotal for both consumers and producers. Additionally, other personal factors such as basic aspects of personality and attitudes towards certain types of foods can also influence an individual's taste preferences. For instance, thrill-seekers may prefer intense sour flavors while those with positive attitudes toward reduced-fat foods may find such foods tastier.
Furthermore, demand for fruit can be influenced by income, which affects the ability to purchase, as well as the relative prices of related goods. Size and composition of the population also play roles in determining overall demand for fruits and vegetables, as different demographics have varying needs and preferences.