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The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 60 - 67, 14.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.1232752

Abstract

The decreases in the nutritional value of foods and food safety issues resulting from the methods developed to increase food production have become the most important nutritional problems encountered all over the world. To solve these problems, agricultural and food processing methods are purified from all kinds of chemicals, hormones, and genetically modified organisms. The objectives of this study are i) to determine which of the environmentally friendly and certified organic foods are consumed the most, consumer preferences regarding these foods, the perception of the consumers on the concept/definition of organic food, and the expectations of the consumers after organic food consumption, ii) to compare the perception of organic food concept/definition and post-consumption expectations of organic food consumers and non-consumers. This study was carried out in the Samsun province of Türkiye where 19.6 thousand metric tons/year of organic agricultural products are produced. A total of 480 people participated in the study, of which 240 were consuming organic products and 240 were not consuming organic products. Results and statistical data were evaluated using frequency, descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-test. According to the findings of study, more than half of the organic products consumed are milk, dairy, poultry, fresh fruit, and vegetable products. Most consumers agree that organic products are hormone-free and produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, those who are aware that organic products are certified products are mostly organic food consumers. Some participants still consider organic products to be only natural or farmer products. In terms of expectations after organic product consumption, both groups consider that the prices of organic products are high, sales points and marketplaces should be accessible, purchasing attempt depends on income, and organic products are bought due to the positive effects of organic foods on health, environment, and farmers.

References

  • Aarset, B., Beckmann, S., Bigne, E., Beveridge, M., Bjorndal, T., Bunting, J., Young, J., 2004. The European consumers’ understanding and perceptions of the “organic” food regime: The case of aquaculture. British Food Journal, 106(2): 93-105.
  • Aertsens, J., Mondelaers, K., Verbeke, W., Buysse, J., Van Huylenbroeck, G., 2011. The influence of subjective and objective knowledge on attitude, motivations and consumption of organic food. British Food Journal, 113(11): 1353-1378.
  • Anonymous, 2017. The EU Regulation on Organic Production and Labelling of Organic Products. (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/agri/inag/2017/11-21/AGRI_AG%282017%2961 3578_EN.pdf), (Accessed:14.03.2023).
  • Anonymous, 2018. The European Union’s Organic Food Market: Facts and Rules (Infographic). (www. europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20180404STO00909/the eu s organic food market facts and rules infographic), (Accessed: 14.03.2023).
  • Anonymous, 2021. Organic Agriculture Statistics for 2021. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye, (https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Bitkisel-Uretim/Organik-Tarim/Istatistikler), (Accessed: 22.10.2022). (In Turkish).
  • Apaolaza, V., Hartmann, P., D’Souza, C., López, C. M., 2018. Eat organic-feel good? The relationship between organic food consumption, health concern and subjective wellbeing. Food Quality and Preference, 63: 51-62.
  • Bartlett, J.E., Kotrlik, J.W., Higgins, C.C., 2001. Organizational research: Determining appropriate sample size in survey research appropriate sample size in survey research. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19(1): 43-50.
  • Briz, T., Ward, R.W., 2009. Consumer awareness of organic products in Spain: An application of multinominal logit models. Development of Organic Farming Policy in Europe, 34(3): 295-304.
  • Cechin, A., Medaets, J.P.P., Fornazier, A., Zoghbi, A.C.P., 2021. Exploring the role of transaction costs in the intensity of organic food consumption in Brazil. British Food Journal, 123(11): 3760-3775.
  • Christensen, T., Denver, S., Bøye Olsen, S., 2020. Consumer preferences for organic food and for the shares of meat and vegetables in an everyday meal. Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, 32(3): 234-246.
  • Cicia, G., Del Giudice, T., Scarpa, R., 2002. Consumers’ perception of quality in organic food: A random utility model under preference heterogeneity and choice correlation from rank‐orderings. British Food Journal, 104(3/4/5): 200-213.
  • Çelik, S., 2013. Who and why buy organic food? A field research. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 30: 93-108. (In Turkish).
  • de Almeida, I.L., Junqueira, A.M.R., Dias, C.N., 2017. Caracterizaçao de Consumidores, Atributos de Mercado e Estrategias Para o Crescimento da Cadeia Produtiva de Hortaliças Orgˆanicas no Distrito Federal. Brasília: CODEPLAN, Federal District, Brazil. (In Portuguese).
  • Denver, S., Christensen, T., 2015. Organic food and health concerns: A dietary approach using observed data. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 74-75: 9-15.
  • Doğan, H.G., Kaplan, E., 2016. The determination of attitudes and behaviors in organic product consumption of consumers living of central district of Kırşehir Province. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, 33(2): 147-156. (In Turkish).
  • Durham, C., 2007. The impact of environmental and health motivations on the organic share of produce purchases. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 36(2): 304-320.
  • Durmaz, D.H., 2010. Dimension of organic agriculture in Turkey and the world: Organic agriculture in Adana economy. Master Thesis, Anadolu University, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Eskişehir, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Hansen, T., Sørensen, M.I., Eriksen, M.-L.R., 2018. How the interplay between consumer motivations and values influences organic food identity and behavior. Food Policy, 74: 39-52.
  • Hjelmar, U., 2011. Consumers’ purchase of organic food products. A matter of convenience and reflexive practices. Appetite, 56(2): 336-344.
  • İnci, H., Karakaya, E., Şengül, A.Y., 2017. Factors affecting organic product consumption (Diyarbakır case). Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Journal of Natural Sciences, 20(2): 137-147. (In Turkish).
  • Lassen, J., Korzen, S., 2009. The environment overlooked? The role of environmental concerns in organic food discourses. Anthropology of Food, (Special Issues: From Thematic Workshops-S5).
  • Lea, E., Worsley, A., 2005. Australians` organic food beliefs, demographics and values. British Food Journal, 107(11): 855-869.
  • Lockie, S., Lyons, K., Lawrence, G., Mummery, K., 2002. Eating ‘green’: motivations behind organic food consumption in Australia. Sociologia Ruralis, 42(1): 23-40.
  • Magnusson, M.K., Arvola, A., Hursti, U.-K.K., Åberg, L., Sjödén, P.-O., 2003. Choice of organic foods is related to perceived consequences for human health and to environmentally friendly behaviour. Appetite, 40(2): 109-117.
  • Merdan, K., 2014. The economi̇c analysi̇s of organi̇c agri̇culture i̇n Turkey: Eastern Black Sea appli̇cati̇on. PhD Thesis, Atatürk University Institute of Social Sciences, Erzurum, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Murphy, B., Martini, M., Fedi, A., Loera, B.L., Elliott, C.T., Dean, M., 2022. Consumer trust in organic food and organic certifications in four European countries. Food Control, 133: 108484.
  • Padel, S., Foster, C., 2005. Exploring the gap between attitudes and behaviour. British Food Journal, 107(8): 606-625.
  • Peštek, A., Agic, E., Cinjarevic, M., 2018. Segmentation of organic food buyers: An emergent market perspective. British Food Journal, 120(2): 269-289.
  • Ranjbar Shamsi, H., Omidi Najafabadi, M., Hosseini, S.J.F., 2020. Designing a three-phase pattern of organic product consumption behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 79: 103743.
  • Rizzo, G., Borrello, M., Dara Guccione, G., Schifani, G., Cembalo, L., 2020. Organic food consumption: The relevance of the health attribute. Sustainability, 12: 595.
  • Shafie, F.A., Rennie, D., 2012. Consumer perceptions towards organic food. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 49: 360-367.
  • Testa, F., Sarti, S., Frey, M., 2019. Are green consumers really green? Exploring the factors behind the actual consumption of organic food products. Business Strategy and the Environment, 28(2): 327-338.
  • Trávníček, J., Willer, H., Schaack, D., 2021. Organic farming and market development in Europe and the European Union. In: The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021), Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM-Organics International, pp. 226-229.
  • Tsakiridou, E., Boutsouki, C., Zotos, Y., Mattas, K., 2008. Attitudes and behaviour towards organic products: an exploratory study. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 36(2): 158-175.
  • Turan, B., Demircan, V., 2021. Current situation of organic product consumption and factors affecting the consumption: The case of Isparta province, Turkey. Isparta University of Applied Sciences Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, 16(2): 154-168. (In Turkish).
  • Usal, G., 2006. Possibility of enhancing farmers income by organic farming in villages of mauntain area. PhD Thesis, Çukurova University Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Adana, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Van Loo, E.J., Diem, M.N.H., Pieniak, Z., Verbeke, W., 2013. Consumer attitudes, knowledge, and consumption of organic yogurt. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(4): 2118-2129.
  • Wojciechowska-Solis, J., Barska, A., 2021. Exploring the preferences of consumers’ organic products in aspects of sustainable consumption: The case of the Polish consumer. Agriculture, 11: 138.
  • Yin, S., Chen, M., Chen, Y., Xu, Y., Zou, Z., Wang, Y., 2016. Consumer trust in organic milk of different brands: The role of Chinese organic label. British Food Journal, 118(7): 1769-1782.

The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 60 - 67, 14.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.1232752

Abstract

The decreases in the nutritional value of foods and food safety issues resulting from the methods developed to increase food production have become the most important nutritional problems encountered all over the world. To solve these problems, agricultural and food processing methods are purified from all kinds of chemicals, hormones, and genetically modified organisms. The objectives of this study are i) to determine which of the environmentally friendly and certified organic foods are consumed the most, consumer preferences regarding these foods, the perception of the consumers on the concept/definition of organic food, and the expectations of the consumers after organic food consumption, ii) to compare the perception of organic food concept/definition and post-consumption expectations of organic food consumers and non-consumers. This study was carried out in the Samsun province of Türkiye where 19.6 thousand metric tons/year of organic agricultural products are produced. A total of 480 people participated in the study, of which 240 were consuming organic products and 240 were not consuming organic products. Results and statistical data were evaluated using frequency, descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-test. According to the findings of study, more than half of the organic products consumed are milk, dairy, poultry, fresh fruit, and vegetable products. Most consumers agree that organic products are hormone-free and produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, those who are aware that organic products are certified products are mostly organic food consumers. Some participants still consider organic products to be only natural or farmer products. In terms of expectations after organic product consumption, both groups consider that the prices of organic products are high, sales points and marketplaces should be accessible, purchasing attempt depends on income, and organic products are bought due to the positive effects of organic foods on health, environment, and farmers.

References

  • Aarset, B., Beckmann, S., Bigne, E., Beveridge, M., Bjorndal, T., Bunting, J., Young, J., 2004. The European consumers’ understanding and perceptions of the “organic” food regime: The case of aquaculture. British Food Journal, 106(2): 93-105.
  • Aertsens, J., Mondelaers, K., Verbeke, W., Buysse, J., Van Huylenbroeck, G., 2011. The influence of subjective and objective knowledge on attitude, motivations and consumption of organic food. British Food Journal, 113(11): 1353-1378.
  • Anonymous, 2017. The EU Regulation on Organic Production and Labelling of Organic Products. (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/commissions/agri/inag/2017/11-21/AGRI_AG%282017%2961 3578_EN.pdf), (Accessed:14.03.2023).
  • Anonymous, 2018. The European Union’s Organic Food Market: Facts and Rules (Infographic). (www. europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20180404STO00909/the eu s organic food market facts and rules infographic), (Accessed: 14.03.2023).
  • Anonymous, 2021. Organic Agriculture Statistics for 2021. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye, (https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Bitkisel-Uretim/Organik-Tarim/Istatistikler), (Accessed: 22.10.2022). (In Turkish).
  • Apaolaza, V., Hartmann, P., D’Souza, C., López, C. M., 2018. Eat organic-feel good? The relationship between organic food consumption, health concern and subjective wellbeing. Food Quality and Preference, 63: 51-62.
  • Bartlett, J.E., Kotrlik, J.W., Higgins, C.C., 2001. Organizational research: Determining appropriate sample size in survey research appropriate sample size in survey research. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 19(1): 43-50.
  • Briz, T., Ward, R.W., 2009. Consumer awareness of organic products in Spain: An application of multinominal logit models. Development of Organic Farming Policy in Europe, 34(3): 295-304.
  • Cechin, A., Medaets, J.P.P., Fornazier, A., Zoghbi, A.C.P., 2021. Exploring the role of transaction costs in the intensity of organic food consumption in Brazil. British Food Journal, 123(11): 3760-3775.
  • Christensen, T., Denver, S., Bøye Olsen, S., 2020. Consumer preferences for organic food and for the shares of meat and vegetables in an everyday meal. Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, 32(3): 234-246.
  • Cicia, G., Del Giudice, T., Scarpa, R., 2002. Consumers’ perception of quality in organic food: A random utility model under preference heterogeneity and choice correlation from rank‐orderings. British Food Journal, 104(3/4/5): 200-213.
  • Çelik, S., 2013. Who and why buy organic food? A field research. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 30: 93-108. (In Turkish).
  • de Almeida, I.L., Junqueira, A.M.R., Dias, C.N., 2017. Caracterizaçao de Consumidores, Atributos de Mercado e Estrategias Para o Crescimento da Cadeia Produtiva de Hortaliças Orgˆanicas no Distrito Federal. Brasília: CODEPLAN, Federal District, Brazil. (In Portuguese).
  • Denver, S., Christensen, T., 2015. Organic food and health concerns: A dietary approach using observed data. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 74-75: 9-15.
  • Doğan, H.G., Kaplan, E., 2016. The determination of attitudes and behaviors in organic product consumption of consumers living of central district of Kırşehir Province. Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University, 33(2): 147-156. (In Turkish).
  • Durham, C., 2007. The impact of environmental and health motivations on the organic share of produce purchases. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 36(2): 304-320.
  • Durmaz, D.H., 2010. Dimension of organic agriculture in Turkey and the world: Organic agriculture in Adana economy. Master Thesis, Anadolu University, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Eskişehir, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Hansen, T., Sørensen, M.I., Eriksen, M.-L.R., 2018. How the interplay between consumer motivations and values influences organic food identity and behavior. Food Policy, 74: 39-52.
  • Hjelmar, U., 2011. Consumers’ purchase of organic food products. A matter of convenience and reflexive practices. Appetite, 56(2): 336-344.
  • İnci, H., Karakaya, E., Şengül, A.Y., 2017. Factors affecting organic product consumption (Diyarbakır case). Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Journal of Natural Sciences, 20(2): 137-147. (In Turkish).
  • Lassen, J., Korzen, S., 2009. The environment overlooked? The role of environmental concerns in organic food discourses. Anthropology of Food, (Special Issues: From Thematic Workshops-S5).
  • Lea, E., Worsley, A., 2005. Australians` organic food beliefs, demographics and values. British Food Journal, 107(11): 855-869.
  • Lockie, S., Lyons, K., Lawrence, G., Mummery, K., 2002. Eating ‘green’: motivations behind organic food consumption in Australia. Sociologia Ruralis, 42(1): 23-40.
  • Magnusson, M.K., Arvola, A., Hursti, U.-K.K., Åberg, L., Sjödén, P.-O., 2003. Choice of organic foods is related to perceived consequences for human health and to environmentally friendly behaviour. Appetite, 40(2): 109-117.
  • Merdan, K., 2014. The economi̇c analysi̇s of organi̇c agri̇culture i̇n Turkey: Eastern Black Sea appli̇cati̇on. PhD Thesis, Atatürk University Institute of Social Sciences, Erzurum, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Murphy, B., Martini, M., Fedi, A., Loera, B.L., Elliott, C.T., Dean, M., 2022. Consumer trust in organic food and organic certifications in four European countries. Food Control, 133: 108484.
  • Padel, S., Foster, C., 2005. Exploring the gap between attitudes and behaviour. British Food Journal, 107(8): 606-625.
  • Peštek, A., Agic, E., Cinjarevic, M., 2018. Segmentation of organic food buyers: An emergent market perspective. British Food Journal, 120(2): 269-289.
  • Ranjbar Shamsi, H., Omidi Najafabadi, M., Hosseini, S.J.F., 2020. Designing a three-phase pattern of organic product consumption behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 79: 103743.
  • Rizzo, G., Borrello, M., Dara Guccione, G., Schifani, G., Cembalo, L., 2020. Organic food consumption: The relevance of the health attribute. Sustainability, 12: 595.
  • Shafie, F.A., Rennie, D., 2012. Consumer perceptions towards organic food. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 49: 360-367.
  • Testa, F., Sarti, S., Frey, M., 2019. Are green consumers really green? Exploring the factors behind the actual consumption of organic food products. Business Strategy and the Environment, 28(2): 327-338.
  • Trávníček, J., Willer, H., Schaack, D., 2021. Organic farming and market development in Europe and the European Union. In: The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021), Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM-Organics International, pp. 226-229.
  • Tsakiridou, E., Boutsouki, C., Zotos, Y., Mattas, K., 2008. Attitudes and behaviour towards organic products: an exploratory study. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 36(2): 158-175.
  • Turan, B., Demircan, V., 2021. Current situation of organic product consumption and factors affecting the consumption: The case of Isparta province, Turkey. Isparta University of Applied Sciences Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, 16(2): 154-168. (In Turkish).
  • Usal, G., 2006. Possibility of enhancing farmers income by organic farming in villages of mauntain area. PhD Thesis, Çukurova University Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Adana, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
  • Van Loo, E.J., Diem, M.N.H., Pieniak, Z., Verbeke, W., 2013. Consumer attitudes, knowledge, and consumption of organic yogurt. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(4): 2118-2129.
  • Wojciechowska-Solis, J., Barska, A., 2021. Exploring the preferences of consumers’ organic products in aspects of sustainable consumption: The case of the Polish consumer. Agriculture, 11: 138.
  • Yin, S., Chen, M., Chen, Y., Xu, Y., Zou, Z., Wang, Y., 2016. Consumer trust in organic milk of different brands: The role of Chinese organic label. British Food Journal, 118(7): 1769-1782.
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Duygu Başkaya Sezer 0000-0003-2724-1923

Osman Kılıç 0000-0002-0129-4034

Uğur Başer 0000-0003-4961-2764

Publication Date April 14, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Başkaya Sezer, D., Kılıç, O., & Başer, U. (2023). The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 10(1), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.1232752
AMA Başkaya Sezer D, Kılıç O, Başer U. The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye. TÜTAD. April 2023;10(1):60-67. doi:10.19159/tutad.1232752
Chicago Başkaya Sezer, Duygu, Osman Kılıç, and Uğur Başer. “The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye”. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi 10, no. 1 (April 2023): 60-67. https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.1232752.
EndNote Başkaya Sezer D, Kılıç O, Başer U (April 1, 2023) The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi 10 1 60–67.
IEEE D. Başkaya Sezer, O. Kılıç, and U. Başer, “The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye”, TÜTAD, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 60–67, 2023, doi: 10.19159/tutad.1232752.
ISNAD Başkaya Sezer, Duygu et al. “The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye”. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi 10/1 (April 2023), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.19159/tutad.1232752.
JAMA Başkaya Sezer D, Kılıç O, Başer U. The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye. TÜTAD. 2023;10:60–67.
MLA Başkaya Sezer, Duygu et al. “The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye”. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 10, no. 1, 2023, pp. 60-67, doi:10.19159/tutad.1232752.
Vancouver Başkaya Sezer D, Kılıç O, Başer U. The Preferences of Consumers for Organic Food Products: The Case of Samsun Province in Türkiye. TÜTAD. 2023;10(1):60-7.

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