Attitudes and behaviour towards organic products: an exploratory study

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to identify consumers' attitudes and behaviour towards organic products in Greece. Design/methodology/approach - This paper draws on a non-probability quota sample of 660 respondents to explore the attitudes and behaviour of Greek consumers towards organic food products. Findings - Greek consumers seem to be informed about environmental and health issues. They seek information about the nutritional value of food and demand more products free from chemical residues. The results show that most consumers associate organic consumption mainly with fruit and vegetables. Although demographics seem to affect attitudes towards organics, their value in explaining actual behaviour is minimal. Research limitations/implications - It is recognized that the data gathered in this study focus on the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The specific area though, is considered to be representative of the total Greek population. The results confirm that health, concern for the environment, animal welfare and support of the local economy are drivers of organic consumption. However, there is an indication that the importance of motives and barriers may vary for different product categories and perhaps future research should focus on product segmentation. Practical implications - Although certain similarities in consumers' attitudes towards organic food products have been identified, this paper records the variation in behaviour towards organics among the various consumer groups examined in Greece, and highlights the gap between attitudes and actual behaviour. Given the complexity of consumer decision making, future research should explore the other value trade-offs that consumers make. Originality/value - This paper attempts to provide evidence on the relatively under researched area of organics attitudes and behaviour in Greece.