Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches

Kuan-Ju Chen; Thomas L. Marsh; Peter R. Tozer; Suzette P. Galinato

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2018.08.013

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Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches

Kuan-Ju Chen, Thomas L. Marsh, Peter R. Tozer and Suzette P. Galinato

Food research international, Vol.116, pp.200-210

02/2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.08.013

PMID: 30716938

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Abstract

Biodegradable mulches

Consumer preference

Contingent valuation

Strawberry

Sustainability policy

Willingness to pay

This study evaluates consumer preferences for an agricultural product grown on biodegradable mulch film, which is an environmentally friendly soil cover that sustains plant growth, but that avoids the environmental harm of plastic pollution from non-biodegradable mulches in the field or upon disposal. Using a dichotomous-choice contingent valuation method, we assessed the willingness to pay for strawberries grown on biodegradable mulch with a randomized information treatment on 1510 consumers across different regions of the United States. On average, consumers are willing to pay 10.3% more for food –strawberries in our case– grown on biodegradable mulches. Consumers who are female, earn a higher income, have stronger environment-friendly attitudes, or received the information treatment on the benefits of biodegradable mulches, also expressed more willingness to pay a premium price for strawberries grown on biodegradable mulches. Our findings support that consumers are willing to internalize a price premium for food products on biodegradable mulches, suggesting that agricultural producers could realize private benefits from price premiums that could, in turn, generate social benefits by increasing biodegradable mulch use, leading to a reduction of plastic pollution. By providing empirical evidence on the potential adoption of biotechnology in the food production system, our results allow agricultural crop producers to make more informed decisions on growing and pricing strategies. Our research will also facilitate agricultural scientists and policymakers to articulate industry-supporting policies for sustainable development. [Display omitted]

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Title: Biotechnology to sustainability: Consumer preferences for food products grown on biodegradable mulches
Creators: Kuan-Ju Chen - Washington State University
Thomas L. Marsh - Washington State University
Peter R. Tozer - Massey University
Suzette P. Galinato - Washington State University
Publication Details: Food research international, Vol.116, pp.200-210
Academic Unit: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Number of pages: 11
Identifiers: 99901180184301842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article