Spanish Wine Consumer Behaviour: A Stated and Revealed Preferences Analysis

Overall wine consumption in Spain is decreasing while, at the same time, Designation of Origin (DO) wine consumption is increasing gradually. This study examines Spanish DO wine consumer behaviour through stated preferences (SP) and revealed preferences (RP) data. Part-worth utilities are calculated and results from both analyses are compared to look for similarities and differences between what respondents say on surveys and what they really do on real purchases. Consumer segmentation is undertaken based on purchase frequencies. In a second step, we try to pool the two data sources in order to get more meaningful and robust results. Results indicate similarities in the consumer choice process when comparing the two data sources, especially for the preference of the DO and wine aging attributes. The only difference detected is the price variable, where a concave price-utility function is obtained with the SP analysis and a negative linear price coefficient is obtained with the RP analysis. Likelihood ratio statistic indicates that equal parameters hypothesis is rejected, meaning that it is not possible to merge the two data sources. This is mainly due to the difference on consumers price perception which could be explained by the different purchase occasion selected in each case.wine, consumer behaviour, Spain, stated preference, revealed preference, DO, Consumer/Household Economics,

The Impact of Price Intervention Policies to Improve Dietary Quality in Spain

Many commentators have claimed that farm subsidies have contributed significantly to the “obesity epidemic” by making fattening foods relatively cheap and abundant and, symmetrically, that taxing “unhealthy” commodities or subsidizing “healthy” commodities would contribute to reducing obesity rates. This paper makes three contributions. First, we review evidence from the literature on the impacts on food consumption and obesity resulting from subsidies applied in the past to production or consumption of farm commodities. Second, we develop and present new arguments and preliminary evidence on the impacts of past government investments in agricultural R&D on food consumption and obesity—through research-induced increases in agricultural productivity and the consequences for prices, production, and consumption of farm commodities. Third, we consider and compare the economic efficiency of hypothetical agricultural research policies (changing the orientation of agricultural research investments) versus hypothetical agricultural commodity subsidies and taxes as alternative mechanisms for encouraging consumption of healthy food or discouraging consumption of unhealthy food, or both.Spain, taxes, Food demand, Dietary quality, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Health Economics and Policy,

Technical efficiency of olive oil manufacturing and efficacy of modernization programme in Tunisia

This study investigates firm level technical efficiency of production and its determinants in a sample of 137 olive oil manufacturing firms in Tunisia using a stochastic frontier production model applied to cross-section data. Results indicate that technical efficiency of production in the sample of olive oil manufacturing firms investigated ranges from a minimum of 47.1% to a maximum 99.5% with an average technical efficiency estimate of 86.5%. This implies olive oil manufacturing firms in Tunisia can increase their production on average by 13.5% through more efficient use of technology and production inputs. The fact that 93 firms represented more than 64.4% of the sample hit more than 80% of technical efficiency score implies the efficacy of modernization programme implemented in Tunisia. The estimated coefficients in the technical inefficiency effects model indicate that level of technology, frequent use of computer and internet, the owner’s age, the share of skilled labour, the employment of management staff, and the input sourcing by the own production have a significant and positive effect on technical efficiency. On the other hand, negative relationships are found between technical efficiency and entrepreneur dummy variable, continuous relationship with the suppliers in the same district, and with the private sector and trader as customers. These results imply that the adoption of new technology, accumulation of skill and knowledge as well as stable input sourcing contribute to improve the technical efficiency of olive oil manufacturing.olive oil manufacturing, stochastic frontier production function, technical efficiency, modernization programme, Tunisia, Crop Production/Industries,

Exploring Japanese olive oil consumer behavior

During the last two decades, olive oil consumption in Japan is showing an increasing trend due to dietary and health concerns. Traditional olive oil producer and exporter countries such as Italy, Spain and Tunisia have interest to reinforce and to increase their penetration in the Japanese market. This study examines Japanese olive oil consumer behaviour by the use of the conjoint analysis technique. Five attributes have been chosen to design the experiment: region of origin, price, olive oil type, taste and colour. Two models have been estimated where the price variable was introduced in its discrete form in the first model and in its linear and quadratic from in the second model. In a second step, consumer segmentation was undertaken based on consumption frequencies. Two groups have been identified: “heavy consumers” and “light or potential consumers”. The main results indicate the importance of the selected variables in Japanese olive oil consumer' choice. Olive oil with Mediterranean or Tunisian origin has higher probabilities to be chosen than Italian or Spanish one. Japanese consumers prefer a green with bland taste olive oil. Concerning olive oil type, results indicate that refined olive oil has more probability to be chosen than virgin or extra-virgin one, indicating low awareness of Japanese consumers about olive oil. The price variable estimates have shown a convex utility curve indicating a decrease of consumers’ utility when price increases till a maximum price. Above that price, consumers’ utility increase indicating in that case that olive oil is considered as a luxurious product. Differences as well as similarities have been detected among consumer segments.Olive oil, Japan, consumer behavior, Consumer/Household Economics,

The effects of Information and Country of Origin on Japanese Olive Oil Consumer Selection

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,