Consumers and consumption of organic food in Central and Eastern European new member states of the European Union

Despite the significant growth of organic farms and organically managed land in Central and Eastern European new member states of the European Union (CEE NMS) the consumption of organic food in these countries remains at the very low level. The main barriers to organic food consumption growth are low availability of organic food in the sale channels where contemporary CEE NMS consumers prefer to buy food, high prices for organic products, related, inter alia, to high distribution costs and high gross margins that reflect the undeveloped nature of organic markets in CEE NMS. Further development of the organic sector in CEE NMS will contribute to the growth of organic food consumption by overcoming the supply-related barriers. Nevertheless, to increase the consumption of organic food, many efforts needed to communicate the benefits of organic food and farming to target potential consumers

Improving organic market data collection by using the supply balance sheet approach

Analyses of national markets for organic agricultural products are constrained by the lack of official statistics on production, consumption or international trade in any European country. As a result there are several, often very contradictory and inconsistent estimations on the amount of the organic production or consumption in the EU or even in individual EU countries. The main sources for market data estima-tions are surveys with market actors and sometimes extrapolations of household or retailer panel studies. One possibility to reduce the problem of inconsistent market data for a geographical region is to use the method of supply balance sheets (SBS). By using SBS which compare the resources and uses of a product, it is easier to detect inconsistencies between produc-tion, consumption or foreign trade data. Additional quality checks can support the identification of inconsistencies between organic and conventional market data

Report on the evaluation of the pilot case studies (= Deliverable D4 of the Project European Information System for Organic Markets, QLK5-2002-02400), including Annex 1: National working papers on pilot applications (DCPS) in eight European countries and Annex 2 Guidelines on evaluating pilot applications (DCPS) in eight European Countries

The current situation of market information systems on organic farming in Europe shows a substantial lack of information. Although previous EU-research projects such as OFCAP (FAIR3-CT96-1794) and OMIaRD (QLK5-2000-01124) have shown that regional or national data gathering takes place in many countries, the availability of detailed and current data on various levels, such as production, consumption, prices as well as trade, on the national as well as at the European level, is not satisfactory. The main problem areas identified in regard to market information systems for organic farming can be summarised as i) the lack of market information at the national level and ii) where data are available, the lack of data harmonisation at the European level. Within the EU-funded concerted action EISfOM (European Information System for Organic Markets, QLK5-2002-02400), the aim is to build a framework for reporting valid and reliable production and market data for the European organic sector in order to meet the needs of policymakers, farmers, processors, wholesalers and other actors involved in organic markets. Based on the previous research done in Workpackages 2, 3 and 4, this report focuses on the evaluation of pilot case studies in eight European countries, showing proposals for new and/or enlarged data collection and processing systems for organic markets in Europe. This report is based mainly on the pilot application studies conducted in WP5. Following the description of objectives and the general approach of WP5 in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 focuses on the national pilot case studies, including a description of the relevant institutions and DCPS as well as an assessment of data quality. Chapter 3 provides an analysis of the DCPS investigated with regard to the problems and barriers involved with their practical implementation. Chapter 4 then analyses the critical points identified with regard to potential solutions for harmonisation of various DCPS at the national and international level. Chapter 5 deals with the analysis of the recommendations made in WP4, while Chapter 6 summarizing and concluding the results. As well as the national working papers on the results of the pilot application studies, this deliverable is also strongly linked to previous project deliverables, namely D2 “WP2: Data collection and processing systems for conventional markets and WP3: Data collection and processing systems for organic markets” (Wolfert, S. et al., 2004), deliverable D3 “Report on proposals for the development, harmonisation and quality assurance of organic data collection and processing systems. systems (Recke, G. et al., 2004) and the proceedings of the first European Seminar “Development of a European Information System for organic markets – improving the scope and quality of statistical data” (Recke, G. et al., 2004)

Impact of Innovation on Consumers Liking and Willingness to Pay for Traditional Sausages

International audienceThe main objective of the study was to evaluate Polish consumers' liking and willingness to pay for innovations in traditional sausages "Kabanos". The study also attempted to determine whether regional differences may influence acceptance of innovations and the willingness to pay for such products. As both sensory factors and prices are important in food choice decisions, the methodological approach combined hedonic liking and experimental auctions. The study involved 221 consumers of traditional pork sausages who evaluated intrinsic and extrinsic product attributes in blind (tasting only), expectancy (product information only) and fully informed (tasting and product information) experimental conditions. The results show that acceptance of innovation in traditional sausages is determined by the type of innovation proposed. Innovation related to extrinsic attributes like packaging i.e. biodegradable packaging seem to be the most welcome regardless experimental conditions while innovations improving healthiness of traditional sausages but violating their sensory properties i.e. lower salt level tend to be disapproved. There are regional differences observed in acceptance and willingness to pay for innovative variants of Kabanos. In general, consumers in Warsaw are more inclined to pay more for innovative variants of Kabanos than consumers in Cracow. Participants from the two regions had also different hedonic reactions towards organic and spicy variant of Kabanos. Prior research concerning acceptance of innovation in traditional food products in Poland is scarce. Therefore, such information is particularly pertinent to SMEs and distributors operating in traditional food sector to support innovation and development of adequate communication strategies

Sensory marketing for the organic market : key insights from the EU funded project ECROPOLIS

none13The organic food sector in Europe is growing since several years. However the development of the organic food market varies across European countries. High developed markets (e.g. Germany and Switzerland) coexist with markets in the introduction stage (e.g. Poland). Sensory marketing strategies are not well implemented in the organic sector although this market segment is built on consumers with clear preferences for differentiated sensory properties. Sensory attributes are an important element of organic marketing and a possible tool to create a unique value proposition. The EC funded project Ecropolis investigated the organic market in six European countries (Germany, Poland, The Netherlands, Italy, France and Switzerland). Based on its results the OSIS database was developed and made available on the website. The main results of Ecropolis are summarized for different target groups on different levels: On level 1 a short summary addressed to consumers, retailers and SMEs in English, German, Italian, French, Dutch and Polish is available for different product groups. A concise overview about specific sensory characteristics for the chosen product groups in the six countries is provided, together with information about consumer habits and sensory marketing for those product groups. OSIS offers a sensory journey through the participating countries to learn about country specific preferences. On level 2 more specific guidance for the practical implementation of sensory marketing and sensory analyses in the companies is worked out in form of fact sheets addressed to retailers, SME and SME associations also available in 6 languages. On level 3 all public research reports are available for the interested audience. OSIS is a unique tool that provides support with ready to use information for various questions that occur in organic food production, marketing and communication. Next to OSIS all the Ecropolis project results and dissemination activities are available on the website www.ecropolis.org.mixedM.-L. Cezanne; L. Baumgart; A. Bongartz; K. Buchecker; M. Canavari; T. Gallina Toschi; A. Kole; E. Kostyra; S. Kremer; P. Reichl; A. Spiller; S. Zakowska-Biemans; U. Kretzschmar-Rüger et al.M.-L. Cezanne; L. Baumgart; A. Bongartz; K. Buchecker; M. Canavari; T. Gallina Toschi; A. Kole; E. Kostyra; S. Kremer; P. Reichl; A. Spiller; S. Zakowska-Biemans; U. Kretzschmar-Rüger et al

Exploratory Survey on European Consumer and Stakeholder Attitudes towards Alternatives for Surgical Castration of Piglets

Simple SummaryIn many countries, surgical castration of piglets without pain relief or anaesthesia is still common practice. Castration is performed to minimise the incidence of boar taint, a bad taste (urine/fecal like), typically present in the meat of 5 to 10% of uncastrated male pigs. It also helps to avoid aggressive and sexual behaviour. For animal welfare reasons, alternatives are being considered, and in some countries, an alternative is already practiced. One option is to perform surgical castration with anaesthesia and relieve pain. A second option is to produce male pigs without castration, which requires detection of tainted carcasses in the slaughter house. A third option is to apply immunocastration: by a two-fold injection of a vaccine, the testes function is inhibited, which reduces boar-like behaviour and avoids boar taint. In this study, we evaluated the acceptability of each of these methods in 16 countries in Europe. Of the 4 presented options, the practice of surgical castration was least accepted (32%), whilst there was a high acceptance of castration with anaesthesia (85%), followed by immunocastration (71%) and production of boars (49%). The developed questionnaire and infographic can be used in future studies to further gain insights in consumer and stakeholder attitudes on this topic.Surgical castration of piglets without pain relief is still common practice in many countries. Possible alternatives for surgical castration are application of pain relief or anaesthesia or production of boars (entire males) and immunocastrates. Each of these alternatives faces advantages and disadvantages which may result in different citizen attitudes and consumers acceptability. Understanding which practice is acceptable to whom and why may further stimulate implementation. Consumer (n = 3251) and stakeholder (n = 1027) attitudes towards surgical castration without pain relief, surgical castration with anaesthesia, immunocastration, and production of boars were surveyed from April to June 2020 via an online questionnaire in 16 countries (>175 respondents per country). Surgical castration without pain relief was separated from each of the alternatives due to animal welfare and showed the lowest acceptability (32%). Within the alternatives, a further partitioning between the alternatives was based on perceived quality and food safety, with an acceptance of 85% for applying anaesthesia, 71% for immunocastration, and 49% for boar production. Differences depending on professional involvement and familiarity with agriculture could be observed, mainly for the acceptance of surgical castration without anaesthesia, immunocastration, and boars. Castration with anaesthesia was highly accepted by all types of respondents

Consumers Values and Motives regarding Organic Food Products in Poland

Poland, like all new European Union member states has experienced significant growth in organically managed land and the number of organic farms in the last few years. However, there are still many barriers to overcome to stimulate the consumption of organic foods. There is a need to learn more about the emotions, cognition and behaviour of Polish organic consumers in order to develop effective marketing strategies. Polish consumers are motivated to buy organic food because of its perceived health and safety attributes. The highest interest in organic food is observed among consumers who value animal welfare, environment protection and self-fulfilment

Organic food production in the context of innovativeness on the food market

Innowacyjność traktowana jest jako imperatyw rozwoju współczesnej gospodarki rynkowej i czynnik warunkujący poprawę konkurencyjności. Wprowadzanie innowacji w ekologicznej produkcji żywności jest zagadnieniem złożonym ze względu na regulacje prawne z zakresu ekologicznej produkcji żywności oraz specyficzne oczekiwania konsumentów żywności ekologicznej. Obserwowane trendy w rozwoju rolnictwa ekologicznego i przeobrażenia rynku żywności wskazują, że konieczne poszukiwanie nowych rozwiązań i produktów wpisujących się w oczekiwania współczesnych konsumentów. W pracy podjęto próbę określenia czynników determinujących rozwój innowacji w odniesieniu do ekologicznej produkcji żywności.Innovation and innovativeness in the market for organic food are implied by regulations on organic farming and result from the complex expectations of modern consumers in relation to food. Principles of organic food in European Union legal regulations, including restrictions on use of additives encourage to seek innovative solutions in production processes and for the development of new products. Introduction of innovation, as consumers state, requires development of such solutions and products that will improve health benefits of organic food and will also help to maintain the “naturalness" of organic food. This does not mean that one should ignore the trends observed in the food market, especially the growing interest in consumption of pre-prepared to eat food, ready meals, which aim to facilitate and shorten the time spent on preparation of meals

Development of organic farming in Central and Eastern European new EU member states

The total organic area in the new European Union member states from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE NMS) reached more than 670 000 ha in 2004. In the organic production structure grassland and production of fodder have become the main organic crop areas. There are still many barriers to overcome to diversify organic production and to reach consumers with products that meet their expectations