Abstract

LACAZE, Victoria. Consumos alimentarios sustentables en argentina: Una estimación de la disposición a pagar por alimentos orgánicos frescos y procesados por consumidores de la ciudad de Buenos Aires . Agroalim [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.29, pp.87-100. ISSN 1316-0354.

Throughout these last years, organic agriculture has undergone an important expansion due, among other things, to a higher interest of consumers that involves food quality concerns and has been influenced by mass media diffusion. The objective of this paper is to calculate consumers´ willingness-to-pay for different organic food products. The estimations were made for consumers of medium-high or high socioeconomic level who live in Buenos Aires City. It is predictable that those Argentinean consumers would be willing to pay higher prices to purchase organic products instead of conventional ones, because the first are perceived as free of harmful substances, healthier and of exclusive quality. Data derive from a food consumer survey conducted in Buenos Aires City, Argentina, in April 2005. Binomial Logit models were estimated for four selected products: Leafy vegetables, whole wheat flour, fresh chicken and aromatics. The intention to buy each of the selected organic products is mainly explained by the habitual consumption of organic products; respondents´ desires of organics regular availability in the domestic market and respondents´ assessment of food labels information. Also health risks perceptions linked to pesticide and hormone content in conventional leafy vegetables and fresh chicken, respectively, are mentioned as well.

Keywords : organic food; willingness-to-pay; contingent valuation; Buenos Aires; Argentine.