ДЕТЕРМІНАНТИ ПОПИТУ СВІДОМОГО СПОЖИВАЧА НА ЕКОЛОГІЧНІ ПРОДУКТИ ХАРЧУВАННЯ

Abstract

The consumer behavior study area mixes elements from economics, psychology, and social anthropology to understand the buyer decision-making process. The interest for environmental friendly behavior and its impacts on consumer patterns, including the issue of buying eco-food. The buying eco-products have become a focus of attention for government, business and community activists. Conscious consumption is defined by consumer choice based on knowledge about social, environmental, and political implications. It is a study about products, services, business activities, production processes, disposal options, and socially and environmentally responsible decisions. Conscious consumer behavior reduces environmental pollution, leads to a healthy lifestyle, increasing demand for environmentally friendly products. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the determinants of organic food demand. Also, in the paper, we identify market development perspectives in the context of conscious consumption. The study identifies consumers’ motives to buy organic food. There are some reasons why people buy this food. First, this food has better quality. Second, this food cares about the health and the environment’s state. The most of the respondents increase the consumption of organic food because of its availability. It is a positive trend to purchase vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, meat products, and eggs. Some obstacles keep people from buying organic food: high prices, lack of confidence in getting raw materials, availability of cheap products, consumer income. Economic factors define the lifestyle of buyers, their preferences, frequency of purchases, and market choices. We should take into account such factors. When the business supplies raw materials and products, the market of organic food products will perform and develop. The production of ecological products will have greater labor intensity and lower efficiency compared to other agriculture products. That leads to higher prices for manufactured products. Conscious consumers understand this and purchase organic products to support the green market. The choice to buy eco-products develops the environmental consciousness of the consumer.