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Consumer attitudes towards organic food in the Western Balkans - the case of Albania

Author

Listed:
  • Drini Imami
  • Engjell Skreli
  • Edvin Zhllima
  • Catherine Chanb

Abstract

Despite the organic food sector production and market potential organic farming is weakly developed in Albania. The sector faces several constraints related to legislation, institutional and private sector capacities. A major challenge for the development of the organic food demand for organic food in Albania is the limited awareness of Albanian consumers regarding organic products. This paper provides insights into consumer awareness and preferences concerning organic food, applying descriptive and segmentation analysis based on a structured survey conducted in Tirana, Albania. According to the study results, there is an overall strong preference for organic food, as organic food is perceived to be safer and healthier compared to conventionally produced food, while environmental considerations of how organic food is grown are not as important in consumers? view. Despite this overall preference for organic food, most consumers have limited understanding about organic food which should be addressed with awareness campaigns by the private sector and policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Drini Imami & Engjell Skreli & Edvin Zhllima & Catherine Chanb, 2017. "Consumer attitudes towards organic food in the Western Balkans - the case of Albania," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 19(2), pages 245-260.
  • Handle: RePEc:fan:ecaqec:v:html10.3280/ecag2017-002004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Magdalena Śmiglak-Krajewska & Julia Wojciechowska-Solis, 2021. "Consumer versus Organic Products in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities and Barriers to Market Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Merlino, Valentina Maria & Massaglia, Stefano & Blanc, Simone & Brun, Filippo & Borra, Danielle, 2022. "Differences between Italian specialty milk in large-scale retailing distribution," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 24(2), September.
    4. Edvin Zhllima & Gentjan Mehmeti & Drini Imami, 2021. "Consumer Preferences for Cheese with Focus on Food Safety—A Segmentation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-12, November.
    5. Iliriana Miftari & Rainer Haas & Oliver Meixner & Drini Imami & Ekrem Gjokaj, 2022. "Factors Influencing Consumer Attitudes towards Organic Food Products in a Transition Economy—Insights from Kosovo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Christine Mauracher & Isabella Procidano & Marco Valentini, 2019. "How Product Attributes and Consumer Characteristics Influence the WTP, Resulting in a Higher Price Premium for Organic Wine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, March.
    7. Kokthi, Elena & Canco, Irina & Topulli, Eneida, 2021. "Whose salad is organic? An attribute segmentation perspective-evidence from Albania," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 23(2), July.

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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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