Assessing Consumer Preferences for Organic, Eco-Labeled, and Regular Apples

• Main Authors: Maria L. Loureiro, Jill J. McCluskey, Ronald C. Mittelhammer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Western Agricultural Economics Association 2001-12-01
• Series: Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Subjects: apples; contingent valuation; eco-labels; organic foods
• Online Access: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/31039

We assess consumer choice of eco-labeled, organic, and regular apples, and identify sociodemographic characteristics affecting the choice among those three alternatives. Eco-labeled apples are less desirable than organic when food safety, the environment, and children's needs are considered. Characteristics that may be expected to positively affect the decision to buy eco-labeled apples relative to regular apples actually have the opposite effect with the inclusion of the organic alternative. When considering all three choices, the eco-labeled product is found to be an intermediate choice among consumers.