We Know What You Choose! External Validity of Discrete Choice Models

For over the last thirty years the multinomial logit model has been the standard in choice modeling. Development in econometrics and computational algorithms has led to the increasing tendency to opt for more flexible models able to depict more realistically choice behavior. This study compares three discrete choice models, the standard multinomial logit, the error components logit, and the random parameters logit. Data were obtained from two choice experiments conducted to investigate consumers’ preferences for fresh pears receiving several postharvest treatments. Model comparisons consisted of in-sample and holdout sample evaluations. Results show that product characteristics hence, datasets, influence model performance. We also found that the multinomial logit model outperformed in at least one of three evaluations in both datasets. Overall, findings signal the need for further studies controlling for context and dataset to have more conclusive cues for discrete choice models capabilities.discrete choice models, validation, holdout sample

A Comparison Of Choice Experiments And Actual Grocery Store Behavior: An Empirical Application To Seafood Products

In this paper we compare results from an in-store field experiment and a mail survey choice experiment (CE) to investigate CE’s capacity in predicting grocery store market share. For the comparison, we used three seafood products: freshwater prawns, marine shrimp, and lobster. CE estimates were obtained via four econometric models: the conditional logit, the random parameter logit, the heteroskedastic extreme value, and the multinomial probit. We found that the level of control in the grocery store experiment and the choice of econometric model influenced the capacity of CE to predict grocery store market shares.choice experiment, grocery store, hypothetical bias, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing, C35, Q13,

Comparison of Stated Choice and In-store Experimental Methods in Predicting Actual Market Behavior for Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Consumers

The stated choice (SC) and actual revealed pricing/purchase experimental methods were compared for their ability to predict purchasing behavior and willingness-to-pay for freshwater prawns. SC hypothetical bias may be a consequence of difficulties in controlling factors affecting real world situations, small sample sizes and confusion related to the new product.choice experiment, grocery store experiment, new product, purchasing behavior, Consumer/Household Economics,

Consumer Preferences for Foods with Clean Labels and New Food Technologies

Foods with “clean labels,” that is, foods with few ingredients, may mitigate the stigma from the lack of healthfulness in processed food products. However, with conventional technologies, clean labels are difficult to achieve. We conducted a survey, including choice experiment scenarios, in which half of the respondents were presented scenarios to purchase a shelf‐stable ready meal with a clean label/fewer ingredients, and the other half were presented scenarios including the clean label/fewer ingredients and a new technology that al-lows for processed foods to be produced with fewer ingredients. In general, respondents were willing to pay a price premium for the clean label and the new food technology used. However, such preferences were heterogeneous. In the version of the survey that did not include the type of technology, the classes were “clean label incredulous, moderate believers in clean labels, and “strong believers in clean labels.” In the survey version including the type of technology, the classes were “clean label indifferent and technology takers, moderate believers in clean labels and technology indifferent,” and “strong believers in clean labels and technology indifferent.” Our findings underscore the importance of providing consumers with information about a new technology and the resulting benefits to reduce perceived risks and increase consumer acceptance

Mechanization Efforts in Fruit Harvesting

Labor is an essential and costly input in fruit production since many cultivation practices (e.g., harvesting, pruning, thinning, fertilizing, and chemical spraying) are still mainly performed by hand (Gallardo and Sauer, 2018; Karkee, Silwal, and Davidson, 2018). Labor expenditures comprise about 38.5% of the variable costs in fruit production in the United States (Castillo et al., 2021)

Economic Impact of a Potential Expansion of Pest Infestation: Apple Maggot in Washington State

Apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella) is an insect pest of apple (Malus domestica) that is currently limited in extent in the commercial production areas of Washington State thanks to a quarantine program. We estimate the costs to the Washington economy if this pest were to spread more widely. Apple maggot control costs are related to the pressure of codling moth (Cydia pomonella), the most prevalent insect pest in commercial apple production in Washington State. It was found that the losses for the Washington apple industry's range from $510 million to$557 million, depending on the codling moth pressure. Our findings underscore the importance of an efficient quarantine program that minimized the risk of spreading the pest along with additional costs associated with quarantined areas

Investigating consumer food choice behavior: an application combining sensory evaluation and experimental auctions

In this study, we investigated which piece of information collected with sensory evaluation tools exhibits better predictive capacity on the willingness to pay: information about preferences for a sensory quality attribute using hedonic scales or information about the perceived intensity for the same attribute using intensity scales. We also estimated if extrinsic or intrinsic quality exerts a similar impact on a consumer’s willingness to pay. We conducted a sensory evaluation along with experimental auctions using three different apple varieties with college students in metropolitan Lima, Peru. Findings from this study show that the information collected on preference for apple quality attributes has a better explanatory capability for willingness to pay than does information regarding consumers’ perceived intensity for the same attribute. The explanatory capability was measured using measures of goodness-of-fit. We also prove that willingness to pay was driven both by the apple variety’s induced intrinsic quality attributes and its extrinsic cues. The results add to the existing body of literature intended to improve the understanding of consumer food choice behavior

Perceptions of Precision Agriculture Technologies in the U.S. Fresh Apple Industry

Advances in precision agriculture technologies provide opportunities to improve the efficiency of agricultural production systems, especially for high-value specialty crops such as fresh apples (Malus domestica). We distributed an online survey to apple growers in Washington, New York, and Michigan to elicit stakeholder perceptions of precision agriculture technologies. Findings from this study demonstrated that growers are willing to adopt precision agriculture technologies when they receive results from applied research projects and are engaged with active extension programs. The availability of customized services and purchasing and rental options may minimize the effects of the economies of size that create barriers to adopting increasing access to technologies. Finally, respondents deemed collaborative efforts between industry and academic institutions crucial for adapting the innovation to better address the needs of growers

From planning to execution to the future: An overview of a concerted effort to enhance biological control in apple, pear, and walnut orchards in the western U.S.

We embarked on a large project designed to help enhance biological control in apple, pear and walnut orchards in the western U.S., where management programs were in the midst of a transition from older organo-phosphate insecticides to mating disruption and newer reduced-risk insecticides. A “pesticide replacement therapy” approach resulted in unstable management programs with unpredictable outbreaks of spider mites and aphids. Our project was designed to provide growers and pest managers with information on the effects of newer pesticide chemistries on a suite of representative natural enemies in both the laboratory and field, potential of new monitoring tools using herbivore-induced plant volatiles and floral volatiles, phenology of the key natural enemy species, economic consequences of using an enhanced biological control program, and value of an outreach program to get project outcomes into the hands of decision-makers. We present an overview of both the successes and failures of the project and of new projects that have spun off from this project to further enhance biological control in our systems in the near future

Willingness to Pay for Blueberries: Sensory Attributes, Fruit Quality Traits, and Consumers’ Characteristics

Understanding consumers’ preferences for fruit quality attributes is key to informing breeding efforts, meeting consumer preferences, and promoting increased market demand. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fruit quality traits and hedonic sensory evaluation on consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a selection of fresh northern and southern highbush blueberry cultivars. The WTP was elicited by using a double-bounded contingent valuation conducted in conjunction with a consumer sensory test. Two types of models were estimated using either sensory evaluations (i.e., consumer preference and consumer intensity) or instrumental measurement data (i.e., measures of soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars, acids, and firmness) as explanatory variables to model WTP. Results using sensory evaluations indicated that flavor liking, flavor intensity, and sweetness intensity are key factors that influence consumers’ acceptance and WTP for blueberries. A regression analysis using instrumental measurements indicated that measures related to sweetness and acidity traits are important factors that determine WTP. Higher WTP was associated with higher total sugar content across different levels of total organic acid. The WTP increases with organic acid content, because this is needed for enhanced flavor; however, WTP declines at high concentrations of organic acid. Except for extreme values of firmness, the WTP increased as measures of fruit firmness increased, indicating a consumer preference for firmer blueberries. Overall, the results provided new insights into the relationships between consumer preference and WTP and fruit quality benchmarks to select for improved quality