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Promoting Demand for Organic Food Under Preference and Income Heterogeneity

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  • Eerola, Essi
  • Huhtala, Anni

Abstract

We examine the design of policies for promoting the consumption of green products under preference and income heterogeneity using organic products as an example. Two instruments are considered: a price subsidy for the organic products and a tax on the conventional products. Under income disparity, consumers with high income always prefer a socially optimal subsidy to a socially optimal tax, while low-income consumers prefer a tax on conventional products. When environmental policy is determined by the median voter, the policies implemented tend to be stricter than socially optimal policies if income differences are large.

Suggested Citation

  • Eerola, Essi & Huhtala, Anni, 2005. "Promoting Demand for Organic Food Under Preference and Income Heterogeneity," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24664, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:eaae05:24664
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.24664
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    References listed on IDEAS

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