An Assessment of Regional Sustainability through Quality Labels for Small Farmers’ Products: A Slovak Case Study

Jana Jaďuďová,Emília Hroncová,Iveta Marková,Jana Vicianová

doi:10.3390/su10041273

Abstract

Regional product labelling can help develop regional business activities, especially with traditional regional products. Their general popularity is a significant source of income for less-developed regions. The Gemer-Malohont region is an economically underdeveloped area with a high unemployment rate. The subject of the survey was focused on regional food products that are made by small farmers. The analysis was carried out using data from a questionnaire survey on the period April–July 2017 in each of the region’s districts. The results obtained by the questionnaire survey were processed with the use of statistical methods (two-step cluster analysis, radar chart, box-plots, regression analysis) using Microsoft Excel and the IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software. We divided consumers into two groups—knowledgeable regional food purchasers and priced-oriented consumers—based on their preference for regional food and through cluster analysis. We show that the more developed regions (Rimavská Sobota and Rožňava) show a higher rate of purchase of regional foods. Less-developed regions (Poltár, Revúca) are represented by lower-income consumers for whom the food price is the decisive criterion. Local residents of backward regions should pay attention to domestic food and local small farmers who are tools for the creation of local capital and local development.

Highlights

An integral part of the European Union’s cohesion policy is an effort to improve the quality and safety of domestic products
The subject of the survey was regional food products that are made by small farmers
Product labelling serves to set standards of product quality, it has a direct influence on consumers and their buying behaviour, especially by informing them about whether a product reaches a certain level of product quality

Summary

Introduction

An integral part of the European Union’s cohesion policy is an effort to improve the quality and safety of domestic products. A large number of domestic products shows specific characteristics related to their geographical origin, traditional production, use of traditional raw materials or other qualitative benefits [1]. These characteristics have an impact on consumer perception of products and purchasing decisions and support for the development of the regional economy. Over the last few decades, the consumption of goods and services has increased dramatically across the world This has led to diminished natural resources and severe harm to the environment, such as global warming, expanded environmental pollution and a decline of flora and fauna [3]

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