Attitudes towards organic foods among Swedish consumers

TLDR

The study examines demographic differences in Swedish consumers’ attitudes toward organic foods, purchase frequency, criteria, availability, and beliefs. The authors surveyed a random nationwide sample of 2,000 Swedish adults (18–65), achieving a 58 % response rate. Most respondents, especially women and young adults, held positive attitudes but bought organic foods infrequently—only 13 % regularly purchased organic milk, 13 % meat, 16 % potatoes, and 8 % bread—while taste was the top purchase criterion, availability satisfaction was about half, and high prices were the main barrier, suggesting consumption will not rise unless price and perceived benefits align.

Abstract

The present study reports demographic differences with respect to Swedish consumers’ attitudes towards organic foods (milk, meat, potatoes, bread), purchase frequency, purchase criteria, perceived availability, and beliefs about organic foods. A random nation‐wide sample of 2,000 respondents, aged 18‐65 years, were mailed a questionnaire and 1,154 (58 per cent) responded. The majority of consumers, and particularly women and young respondents (18‐25 years) reported positive attitudes, but purchase frequency was low. A total of 13 per cent stated that they regularly bought organic milk. Corresponding figures for organic meat, potatoes, and bread were 13, 16, and 8 per cent respectively. The most important purchase criterion was good taste, and the least important was “organically produced”. Approximately half of the respondents were satisfied with the availability of the organic foods. The organic foods were perceived to be more expensive and healthier than conventionally produced alternatives. A major obstacle to the purchase of organic foods was reported to be premium prices. The results suggest that the consumption will not increase as long as important purchase criteria and perceived beliefs about organic foods do not match.