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Consumer Preferences, Ecolabels, and the Effects of Negative Environmental Information

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  • Chen, Xianwen
  • Alfnes, Frode
  • Rickertsen, Kyrre

Abstract

Consumers prefer ecolabeled products. However, little is known about the effects of ecolabels when consumers are simultaneously exposed to negative environmental information. We conducted a stated choice experiment in France with eight fish products that were either ecolabeled or unlabeled. Four types of negative information concerning the potential negative environmental consequences of catching wild fish or producing farmed fish were randomly administered to the participants. The data were analyzed by a mixed logit model. Several results emerged. First, there are positive ecolabeling effects on the willingness to pay (WTP) for fish. Second, ecolabeling cannot fully mitigate the negative effects on WTP of negative environmental information. Third, there is a positive effect on the WTP for substitute fish produced with the same production technology as the type of fish that receives negative environmental information.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Xianwen & Alfnes, Frode & Rickertsen, Kyrre, 2014. "Consumer Preferences, Ecolabels, and the Effects of Negative Environmental Information," 2014 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2014, Minneapolis, Minnesota 168094, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea14:168094
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.168094
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    1. Yokessa, Maïmouna & Marette, Stéphan, 2019. "A Review of Eco-labels and their Economic Impact," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 13(1-2), pages 119-163, April.
    2. Chen, Xianwen & Alfnes , Frode & Rickertsen , Kyrre, 2015. "Labeling Farmed Seafood," Working Paper Series 10-2015, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, School of Economics and Business.

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    Keywords

    Agribusiness; Consumer/Household Economics; Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety;
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