Organic Food Chain Research Articles

Organic Product Labels: The Credence towards Customers Choice of Buying Behaviour

Purpose: The organic food sales are not gaining more potential, due to limited buyers, because the customers have a paucity of product labels. This distrust has highly affected the company's profits. The purpose of the study is to ease these sceptics nature which is crucial for the organic food chain and also the government, emphasizing the necessity to enhance trust and openness in compliance. In order to ensure the credibility of the certified labels, companies have to adopt a set of rules and standards which result in a long-term effect on eco-favoured customers, and trust in the organic label creates a positive impact on customer choice of buying behaviour. Besides, companies also focus on conveying the right messages, so that customers can differentiate organic products from conventional ones. Design: This literature highlights various issues pertaining to the organic product label and customers’ choice of buying behaviour, and data is obtained from multiple reviews of literature, journals, and case studies. Findings: Labelling strategy may reduce information asymmetry between customers and the company because labelling strategy may influence product differentiation. Originality/Value: Studies encompass the certification scheme which is necessary for labelling organic products. Studies identify reading the labels customers easily identify product attributes that serve as a medium between company and end-users. Moreover, green labels, eco-labels, energy labels, and organic labels serve as certificates of organic products. Paper Type: Case study

Fruit Waste Management through Vermicomposting: the Case of PRAN, Bangladesh

PRAN, situated in Natore, Bangladesh, operates a sizable fruit processing facility. This facility processes approximately two hundred seasonal foods and fruit varieties, generating substantial organic waste. The overarching goal is to establish an organic food chain for both the national and international markets, thereby contributing to the mitigation of Bangladesh's emerging energy and fertilizer crisis. The vermicomposting method was employed, and the experiment was conducted on a miniature scale over 90 days. A dedicated setup was constructed to yield three metric tons of monthly fertilizer. Upon completion of the experiment, the output fertilizer underwent rigorous testing in the laboratory. The results indicated that the component ratios were well-suited for application in agricultural lands. This research marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management and the development of a valuable resource for the agricultural sector in the region.

Organic Food Chain through Social Media Marketing

Organic Food Chain through Social Media Marketing

The Level of Buying Behaviour Towards Organic Food Among Malays Consumers

Globally, the demand for organic food rapidly rises and exceeds domestic supplies. Many are aware of the benefits of organic food, and it may guarantee a good lifestyle among the world’s populations. However, in most developing countries, including Malaysia, the supply growth of organic food cannot keep up with demand growth due to the slow transition from conventional to organic farming. To date, consumers are more preferred to choose food products that are naturally grown, good for health and may not harm the environment. This study examines the level of buying behaviour towards organic food among Malay consumers. Two hundred respondents were selected in this study by using the purposive sampling technique. The data were then analysed using descriptive analysis and measured using the mean score. The results showed high mean scores for all dependent and independent variables: consumer buying behaviour, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. Hence, this study can be concluded that Malay consumers would also like to consume organic food, but their socio-economic background may not permit them to have it frequently. The price of organic food is also known as pricey compared to non-organic. Hence, this study is significant for all stakeholders, including the farmer, policymaker, retailer and supplier, to ensure a good and sound organic food chain in Malaysia.

Sustainable Organic Farming, Food Safety and Pest Management: An Evolutionary Game Analysis

There is an increasing realization that industrial, large-scale agriculture can negatively impact both food quality and the environment, and that alternatives should be thoroughly considered. Consisting of various participants with distinct and often competing interests, organic food chains have a dynamic structure. We consider an evolutionary game theory model for the dynamics of an organic supply chain with farmers, their customers and the government as the main stakeholders. After describing stakeholder strategies and constructing appropriate payoff matrices for the interactions between farmers and customers and between farmers and the government, respectively, sufficient conditions for the stability of the equilibria for the associated replicator equations were found. Those conditions were then interpreted in practical terms, the corresponding possible outcomes being determined and numerically illustrated. It was seen that a sustainable shift from a conventional strategy to an organic one requires the efforts of all involved stakeholders. As far as the evolutionary interaction between farmers and customers is concerned, it was seen that the purchasing power and the organic awareness of customers are of the utmost importance for the establishment and diffusion of organic strategies in the supply chain. Furthermore, a situation in which the preferences of farmers and consumers for an organic (or conventional) strategy change periodically may occur. Regarding the evolutionary interaction between farmers and the government, strong support for organic farmers is needed at first, and then the consumption habits and environmental awareness of the consumers can be cultivated. This promotes the establishment, development and enrichment of an organic supply chain which, at a certain point, can persist even without governmental subsidies.

Collaboration, trust and performance in agri-food supply chains: a bibliometric analysis

PurposeThis paper identifies, evaluates and structures research that focuses on “collaboration” (C), “trust” (T) and “performance” (P) in the agri-food supply chain (AFSC) and reveals its intellectual foundation. It aims to synthesize research published over a period of 18 years (from 2003 to the beginning of 2020) and provide a platform for practitioners and researchers in their efforts to identify the existing state of work, gaps in current research and future directions in the area of collaboration–trust–performance (CTP) in the AFSC.Design/methodology/approachPrior to carrying out a bibliometric analysis (BA), literature search was performed, identifying 69 related papers focused on CTP in the AFSC. The content of the papers was further analysed in a systematic literature review (SLR) with regard to the subject area, theoretical lenses, research methodology, supply chain (SC) category and other relevant categories.FindingsCTP in the AFSC are based on a relationship marketing and operations management fundament but show specific particularities. AFSCM is a multi-dimensional design task, and collaboration is considered a necessity, whereas trust significantly affects the AFSC effectiveness. The paper also develops a conceptual CTP model, which shows the interrelations between all identified construct variables, where the authors were able to see also bi-directional relations. Furthermore, the paper presents viable future research opportunities, e.g. focus on organic food chains or multi-actor analysis.Research limitations/implicationsResults of the conducted BA refer to the CTP discussion within a preselected number of peer-reviewed academic articles, which are provided by the WoS CC (Web of Science Core Collection) database.Practical implicationsCTP measurements within the AFSC context are a relevant subject with increasing academic interest in the area of agricultural economics as well as operations and supply chain management (SCM). Therefore, further studies are necessary to develop the related theory and ascertain the practical implications of collaboration, trust and performance among members in the consistently complex AFSC.Originality/valueCTP have been recognized as important factors for designing a sustainable SCM strategy, particularly in the case of the AFSC. However, although previous studies have addressed the AFSC, there is insufficient knowledge regarding all three pillars (CTP) and how they enable successful AFSCM. The originality of this paper lies in systematically mapping the intellectual base of CTP research and providing path forward for research in AFSCM.

Análise de redes sociais aplicadas à cadeia de alimentos orgânicos: uma revisão sistemática

Social network analysis applied to the organic food chain: a systematic review. Organic food is a practice in many countries for decades. In recent years, the organic food has grown in a global context. Organic production method is considered a production system that tends to encourage the construction of relationships between individuals, companies and public and private institutions. On this way, this study, through a systematic literature review, sought to investigate the application of Social Network Analysis in studies of the organic food chains in the last years (2010 to 2019). In the analyzed studies, it was possible to verify that the focus of the use of Social Network Analysis is directed to questions related to the network size, number and importance of the actors and the effects of the relationship among its members, trying to understand the contacts and relations between a certain group of individuals/organizations, the types of bonds established, the importance of the roles that individuals have in relationships, their intensity, durability and frequency.

Consumer trust in organic food and organic certifications in four European countries

As the European organic market accelerates its growth, consumers are increasingly looking for produce that can be trusted, sustainably produced and environmentally friendly. Over the last decade, organic research has shifted to faster growing markets in Asia, despite fraudulent organic food still being an issue in Europe. This study addresses this gap by investigating the differences in consumers trust in organic meat and vegetables across 4 European Countries (Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK). In this study an online cross-sectional survey utilising validated tools was designed and data collected from 2071 respondents, approximately representative in terms of gender, age and region per country. Results identified between country differences in trust and beliefs in the ‘organicness’ of the produce. Overall, consumers had a high levels of trust in certified organic food chain and produce, and strong beliefs in the benefits of certification bodies; however this differed between countries. Italy and Poland respondents reported higher overall trust and preferred EU certification; whilst the UK and Germany reported lower trust and preferred their national certification bodies. Similarly, there were interesting differences between the products and national preferences. The findings highlight opportunities especially in Germany and the UK, for private industry, national and world-level bodies to improve the sustainability and growth of the organic food market.

The role of trust in the relationship between consumers, producers and retailers of organic food: A sector-based approach

Given current environmental concerns, the organic food market is an important issue in terms of sustainability. The consolidation of this market is based on trust. Many consumers rely on partial information to assess the quality of organic food and cannot determine its authenticity with certainty. They are led to trust the actors of the organic food chain and the government. In addition, numerous industrial and sanitary scandals have highlighted the need for the actors of the sector to establish relationships based on trust and transparency in order to guarantee the traceability of products and to protect the health of consumers. This research examines the impact of trust and confidence in producers and retailers on the intention to purchase organic food. To address this research issue, we conducted an online questionnaire survey of 316 organic food consumers in France. The results show the central role of quality as a strategy for building and maintaining trust with producers and retailers. They show for the first time the positive impact of trust in producers on trust in retailers. The results of this research allow us to provide advice to growers and retailers to maintain trust and promote purchase intent.

The characteristic and issues of collaborative product development of the cooperative society in constructing organic and natural food chain in Taiwan

The characteristic and issues of collaborative product development of the cooperative society in constructing organic and natural food chain in Taiwan

Sustaining supply chain relationships for co-operative success: the case of South Devon Organic Producers Co-operative (UK)

Co-operatives play a vital role in supplying various goods and services in the UK, as well as in other parts of the world. In the past twenty years co-operatives have become important players in modern organic food supply chains, providing small-scale farmers with access to knowledge and markets, alongside opportunities to scale up their production. This teaching case is developed from qualitative interviews with current and former members and employees from the South Devon Organic Producers (SDOP) Co-operative, an award-winning organic vegetable grower co-operative based in South Devon (UK). The case is supplemented with interviews with key managerial personnel at the SDOP’s main stakeholder Riverford Organic Farms Limited. The case explores how the relationship between SDOP and Riverford is the key to understanding SDOP’s participation in the organic food chain.

Blockchain for Organic Food Traceability: Case Studies on Drivers and Challenges

Purpose: This article evaluates the application of blockchain technology to improve organic or fair-trade food traceability from “Farm to Fork” in light of European regulations. This study aims to shed light on the challenges in the organic food chain to overcome, the drivers for blockchain technology, and the challenges in current projects. Design/Methodology/Approach: For this research, a case study approach was taken in which four blockchain projects were evaluated on their success. Findings: Organic food supply chain companies aiming to improve food traceability with blockchain face two key decisions, depending on the characteristics of the organic value chain, regarding (1) optimizing chain partner collaboration and (2) the selection of which data to capture in the blockchain. Other challenges were data confidentiality, validation of data inputs, and interoperability. Easy verification of certification data, accountability, improved risk management, insight into trade transactions, simplified data collection and exchange, and improved communication account for the benefits. Regardless of what drives companies toward whole-chain traceability, for example, customer satisfaction, it does not necessarily require blockchain technology. Blockchain does enable faster food traceability, which is expected to be more applicable to a complex food supply chain. Research limitations/Implications: The limitations of this study are represented mainly by the scarcity of organic blockchain projects aiming to minimize pesticide inputs and limited availability of information of commercial projects. Practical Implications: This study shows that blockchain is currently successfully being implemented on a small scale to create whole-chain traceability of organic and fair-trade food. Originality/Value: This research addresses the intersection of food supply chain and organic food quality and certification. The focus on origin information and importance of organic data elements may underpin other research on European Union regulations in relation to food traceability, adding value to the body of knowledge on the current status of blockchain technology.

Why do consumers buy organic food? Results from an S–O–R model

PurposeOrganic food consumption is a complex process that makes it difficult for organic food businesses to develop appropriate marketing strategies. This study thus adopted the stimuli–organism–response (S–O–R) model to create a comprehensive framework to understand consumers' organic food purchase decisions.Design/methodology/approachThis study collected 592 valid samples in organic food chain stores and markets by random sampling method. Meanwhile, structural equation modelling was adopted to test hypotheses.FindingsThe research findings indicate that consumer preference for natural food was the most important factor for enhancing purchase intention, followed by health consciousness, health risk, attitude towards organic food and trust in labelling. Perceptions of nutritional value positively influenced attitudes towards organic food and trust in labelling, followed by perceptions of environmental effects; conversely, attitudes towards organic food labelling had the least effect on increasing trust in labelling. Attitudes towards organic food labelling was the most important factor influencing positive attitudes towards organic food, followed by consumer perception of environmental protection effects.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the relative influence of different variables on organic food purchase intention. Compared with consumer attitude towards organic food and trust in labelling, consumers' individual health was the most important factor influencing their purchase intention. As health and naturalness are attractive factors for consumers, the organic food industry can emphasize health protection in their marketing strategies.

Food safety considerations in integrated organic crop–livestock systems: prevalence of Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 in organically raised cattle and organic feed

AbstractAvailability of organic foods has been increasing in the United States due to consumer demand for food produced with a lower environmental footprint. Surveys show that organic consumers view organic food as safer and of higher quality, but a number of food-borne outbreaks have been linked to organic produce in recent years. This outcome suggests that improved food safety protocols are needed to ensure food safety along organic food chains. In this study, model integrated crop–livestock organic systems were established in three states (Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania) to evaluate biological performance and food safety aspects. Organically raised cattle and their feed/forage, feces, hide and meat were examined for the presence of two pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. Results confirmed that E. coli O157:H7 was not isolated on any hide or meat samples. Across all sites, the prevalence rate for E. coli O157:H7 on feed/forage and fecal matter was 9.43 and 7.26%, respectively. Salmonella spp. was isolated from 1.89, 3.33 and 18.6% of feed, fecal and hide samples, respectively. Salmonella spp. was not detected on any meat samples. While Salmonella spp. rates on hides were greater than those in feed and fecal samples, the prevalence rate of both pathogens on cattle hides was lower than in previous studies. The use of an organic fly repellent containing essential oils in this study would need to be investigated further to determine any correlation between its use and lower pathogen rates on hides. Feed/forage was more likely to test positive for E. coli O157:H7 from June through August, indicating the importance of strict sanitary measures to prevent feed contamination during summer months. These results suggest that careful adherence to food safety management strategies can help reduce the risk of bacterial contamination in integrated crop–livestock systems.

Competitive advantages of organic product features from the marketing perspective

The research problem for this study is to provide an overview of competitive advantages of organic agricultural products over conventional agricultural products, and to demonstrate how constant and variable indicators of these advantages work. It is shown that distinguishing features of organic products are essential tools of competition, which are used to identify the difference between organic and conventional products. From the marketing perspective, organic products have been described in three dimensions: design intent of a product; real-life product; product with amplification. The author systematizes internal and external factors which influence how organic agro-food products have an impact on the target market. It is proved that in the process of organic farming, the main factors affecting the products’ properties are the agricultural production environment, soil quality, animal housing conditions, selection of species and varieties of agricultural crops, the level of organization of organic farming, expertise and skills of the agricultural producer.It has been established that in recent years organic production has been balancing on the verge of a rather unstable equilibrium, which, along with purely economic factors (first of all, market conditions), can be destabilized by any serious cataclysm, such as drought, severe frosts, abundant and prolonged precipitation. Adaptation to the climate change requires introducing new management methods and systemic changes in marketing strategies from all agricultural producers as well as organic food chains. Achieving these objectives is possible provided that producers of organic agricultural products use the existing practices and expertise efficiently and invest to innovations to ensure sustainable productivity of agricultural plants and animals for the production of organic products with high qualitative properties.

Organics in Finland—a country report

The Finnish organic food system has had the same development phases as many other countries producing or consuming organic food, but the current volume of production and the market share is lagging severely behind the best-performing European Union countries. Finnish authorities set several development programmes with quantitative goals for the growth of the organic sector. The current “2020” goals aspire to reach, e.g. a 20% share of organic from total agricultural land and to triple the share of organic markets (compared to 2014). Despite scholars predicting these current goals unreachable, the food chain stakeholders trust in the positive organic developments in all areas and food sectors. The major share of the organic land is under grass production for milking cows, other bovines and sheep. Oats are the most commonly organically cultivated grain. Organic food processing, as well as its retail, is very biased: large-scale companies represent the largest shares, while SMEs (small- and medium-size enterprise) offer an alternative marketing channel for producers and consumers. Public procurement provides an important channel for the organic food chain in Finland, since its education system offers a warm school meal for all students up to the vocational school level. The foreign organic trade balance is negative and that challenges the food industry in product innovations and branding the general attributes of Finnish food, purity and its Arctic origin together with organic food production. Organic development needs research that currently focuses mainly on agricultural and environmental issues. More cross-disciplinary and holistic research is needed to understand the slow development of organic sector in Finland.

Pulsed flows, tributary inputs and food‐web structure in a highly regulated river

Abstract Dams disrupt the river continuum, altering hydrology, biodiversity and energy flow. Although research indicates that tributary inputs have the potential to dilute these effects, knowledge at the food‐web level is still scarce. Here, we examined the riverine food‐web structure of the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam, focusing on organic matter sources, trophic diversity and food chain length. We asked how these components respond to pulsed flows from tributaries following monsoon thunderstorms that seasonally increase streamflow in the American Southwest. Tributaries increased the relative importance of terrestrial organic matter, particularly during the wet season below junctures of key tributaries. This contrasted with the algal‐based food‐web present immediately below Glen Canyon Dam. Tributary inputs during the monsoon also increased trophic diversity and food chain length: food chain length peaked below the confluence with the largest tributary (by discharge) in Grand Canyon, increasing by >1 trophic level over a 4–5 km reach possibly due to aquatic prey being flushed into the mainstem during heavy rain events. Our results illustrate that large tributaries can create seasonal discontinuities, influencing riverine food‐web structure in terms of allochthony, food‐web diversity and food chain length. Synthesis and applications. Pulsed flows from unregulated tributaries following seasonal monsoon rains increase the importance of terrestrially derived organic matter in large, regulated river food webs, increasing food chain length and trophic diversity downstream of tributary inputs. Protecting unregulated tributaries within hydropower cascades may be important if we are to mitigate food‐web structure alteration due to flow regulation by large dams. This is critical in the light of global hydropower development, especially in megadiverse, developing countries where dam placement (including completed and planned structures) is in tributaries.

Good Taste Tastes Good. Cultural Capital as a Determinant of Organic Food Purchase by Italian Consumers: Evidence and Policy Implications

Policy actions in support of organic food chain productions have so far focused on the supply side, whereas poor attention has been paid to the demand side, despite the growing interest in consumers' attitudes toward organic food. With the prospect of a future slowing down of the demand for organic products, specific demand-side policy measures are called for. Building on interdisciplinary research on the determinants of organic food purchases, we argue that cultural capital is a relevant, so far overlooked driver of organic food purchase. We apply a Heckman two-step selection strategy approach to microdata from the latest sample annual survey by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. We find that participation in cultural activities has a positive impact on the inclination to purchase organic products, to an extent that depends on the social orientation of each cultural activity. Some policy implications are derived.

Two main challenges that prevent the development of an organic food chain at local and national level—an exploratory study in Finland

This study presents two hypothetical challenges: (1) the actors in the Finnish food chain do not have a common community that would cover the entire food chain from primary producers to the consumers of organic food and that would, by communal effort, enhance the development of the organic food chain, and (2) a fairer share of power among the food chain actors would enable the development of the organic food chain. The literature supports these arguments; the collaboration occurs mainly on a horizontal level and leaves actual consumers outside the direct collaboration. The division of power, according to the results of other studies, is uneven, biased, and twisted among the food chain actors. In this study, the two arguments were presented to two focus groups: one in the local food chain and other at national food chain level. The focus group discussions confirm the arguments that the activity of the food chain happens mainly on a horizontal level, and that the power is unevenly distributed among the food chain actors. The understanding of the influences of the lack of a common food chain-based community on the development of the organic food chain, and the proposed means for tackling the challenges, were heterogeneous. The understanding of the profitability and potential of such a food chain-based community was to a large extent missing in the agricultural and industrial part of the food chain, especially. The oversized strength of retail companies, the underdeveloped capability of other food chain stakeholders to take control of food marketing and the oversized bureaucracy were seen as the main reasons for the unfair share of power, which situation was even partially accepted. According to the vision of the focus group members, the Finnish organic food chain will be a multifaceted combination of small- and medium-sized local enterprises and large national level enterprises acting at the food chain level, but also accepting alternative marketing channels such as food processing and sales at a farm level. The food chain is dynamic and diverse. The enterprises are in a process of constant development as regards the volume and level of their activity. This development trend and the challenges discussed are typical in many western countries, and therefore, this article with its results provides a useful opening for food chain level discussions in many other countries.

Vertical Coordination in Organic Food Chains: A Survey Based Analysis in France, Italy and Spain

The paper analyses characteristics of vertical relationships of organic supply chains with a specific focus on the processing and retailing sectors. The analysis takes into account different regions of the EU Mediterranean area. Data were collected through interviews using an ad hoc questionnaire. The survey was based on a sample of 306 firms, including processors and retailers. The analysis revealed that a relevant aspect for the processing firms of organic products concerns the guaranteeing of safety and quality levels for the products. The main tools to implement the quality management are based on the adoption of specific production regulations and quality controls. The premium price most frequently applied by processors ranges from 10% to 40% and similar values are revealed for retailers. The diffusion of supply contracts allows the vertical coordination between agriculture and processing firms in the organic supply chains. The main distribution channels for the processing firms are represented by specialised shops in organic products, direct sales and supermarkets.