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The Demand for Organic Food in the U.S.: An Empirical Assessment

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  • Li, Jinghan
  • Zepeda, Lydia
  • Gould, Brian W.

Abstract

This analysis examines the determinants of organic food purchase behavior of a random sample of U.S. food shoppers. We analyze food expenditures conditional upon whether a household purchases organic foods. The results from our econometric modeling effort identify shopping venue, awareness of the organic label, positive beliefs toward organic foods, a positive attitude toward cooking, and a lack of religious affiliation as being important determinants of organic food purchases. Income was not found to significantly affect the decision to buy organic foods. Our results suggest that the limiting factors of the organic food market are search cost, dietary patterns, and awareness of the organic food label. Given the recent “Wal-Mart” effect on the organic food market, it is anticipated that these search costs will decrease as organic foods become more widely available.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Jinghan & Zepeda, Lydia & Gould, Brian W., 2007. "The Demand for Organic Food in the U.S.: An Empirical Assessment," Journal of Food Distribution Research, Food Distribution Research Society, vol. 38(3), pages 1-16.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:jlofdr:46587
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.46587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Cai, Xiaowei & Schroeter, Christiane, 2015. "What Would Popeye Choose: Trends of the U.S. Western Organic vs. Conventional Spinach Purchases," Western Economics Forum, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10.
    3. Tatiana Drugova & Kynda R. Curtis & Sherzod B. Akhundjanov, 2020. "Are multiple labels on food products beneficial or simply ignored?," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 68(4), pages 411-427, December.
    4. Abraben, Lane A. & Grogan, Kelly A. & Gao, Zhifeng, 2017. "Organic price premium or penalty? A comparative market analysis of organic wines from Tuscany," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 154-165.
    5. GwanSeon Kim & Jun Ho Seok & Tyler B. Mark, 2018. "New Market Opportunities and Consumer Heterogeneity in the U.S. Organic Food Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Schroeck, Rebecca, 2011. "A Demand System Analysis of Organic and Conventional Fresh Milk in Germany Segmented by Consumer Groups," 2011 International Congress, August 30-September 2, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland 115995, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Chad M. Baum, 2013. "The Missing Link between Research and Reality: the significance of the relationship between retail format and organic food consumption," Jena Economics Research Papers 2013-049, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    8. Wirth, Ferdinand F. & Stanton, John L. & Wiley, James B., 2011. "The Relative Importance of Search versus Credence Product Attributes: Organic and Locally Grown," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 40(1), pages 1-15, April.

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