The global organic food industry is a continuously expanding sector. Consumer preferences drive market development. Consumers who are concerned about issues such as healthy nutrition and reliable food supply have a positive attitude towards organic products. In this study, for 2135 consumers, the relationship between education and different demographic factors in organic product purchase preference was evaluated with the help of multinomial logistic regression analysis. It was determined that being a female consumer, being between the ages of 31-40, being a university and postgraduate graduate, being married, and having a household income above 30,001 TL were effective in the preference of organic product criteria. Regarding education, the likelihood of choosing the organic product standard over promotion was 1.02 times greater in the university graduate category and 2.23 times higher in the post-graduate category, compared to those who only completed primary school.
TopIntroduction
Sustainable agriculture involves establishing an agricultural system that utilizes eco-friendly agricultural technologies, as well as safeguarding natural resources for the future (Baldwin and Wilberforce, 2009). Presently, the focus on these practices is comparable to that of industrial or urban pollution, owing to their disruption of the natural equilibrium and their potential to endanger all living beings, including humans, through the food chain (Gierszewska and Seretny, 2019). While sustainable agriculture encompasses a range of practices like safeguarding water and soil resources and implementing integrated pesticide management, organic farming methods, which adhere to quality, health, and environmental standards by eschewing artificial inputs such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, play a critical role (Grunert, 2011).
For environmental and ethical reasons, political interest in increasing the share of organic food production has increased. This interest is reinforced by the increasing number of crises in the agricultural system (Campbell et al., 2018). The main barrier to increasing production is consumer willingness to buy organic food, which is more expensive than other food products. The focus is therefore on how to promote the consumption of organic food (Reganold and Wachter, 2016). The significance lies in comprehending the factors that influence consumers' organic food consumption habits, including the reasons behind their choices and what drives them to alter their patterns of consumption. Additionally, it is crucial to explore strategies for boosting organic food consumption (Ghali, 2020).
Organic Agriculture is a holistic approach that seeks to preserve the natural equilibrium, maintains soil fertility, manages diseases and pests, promotes vitality, and achieves optimal productivity by utilizing environmental resources and energy in a sustainable manner (Ostapenko et al., 2020). Organic agriculture strives to restore the disrupted natural balance within the ecosystem resulting from unsustainable practices. It employs production methods that are both environmentally and human-friendly, and strives for sustainable soil productivity. Additionally, it prioritizes the use of biological methods for plant protection and prioritizes the quality of the product over its quantity, all within a self-contained system (Kessari et al., 2020).
The prohibition of chemical product usage in organic farming practices during food production is among the most significant distinctions between organic and conventionally produced products. Numerous studies have indicated that pesticides and synthetic fertilizers pose a significant threat to the environment and human health (De Magistris and Gracia, 2008). When conventionally grown products are considered, it has been observed that the use of organic products increases significantly when consumers think that organic products are healthier than conventionally grown products. Conventional food production is responsible for approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide (Śmiglak-Krajewska and Wojciechowska-Solis, 2021).
The adverse effects of such practices have prompted individuals to adopt eco-friendly measures, and consumers have begun to prioritize the adherence of products to green standards when making purchases. From the selection of raw materials to post-consumer recycling, the entire process has garnered significance. As in European countries, the use of green products is also increasing day by day in our country (Bryła, 2015).
The production-marketing-consumption cycle within a society is a framework that inevitably involves people. The advancement of society necessitates the participation of conscious, responsible, and informed producers, marketers, and consumers. Notably, consumer education and awareness can influence both production and marketing practices, leading to transformative shifts within the economy and society (Varshneya et al., 2017).
This study aims to employ multinomial logistic regression analysis to investigate how education and various demographic factors influence the organic product purchase preferences of 2135 consumers in Istanbul.