Consumer attitudes towards organic food in the Western Balkans - the case of Albania

Abstract

Despite the organic food sector production and market potential organic farming is weakly developed in Albania. The sector faces several constraints related to legislation, institutional and private sector capacities. A major challenge for the development of the organic food demand for organic food in Albania is the limited awareness of Albanian consumers regarding organic products. This paper provides insights into consumer awareness and preferences concerning organic food, applying descriptive and segmentation analysis based on a structured survey conducted in Tirana, Albania. According to the study results, there is an overall strong preference for organic food, as organic food is perceived to be safer and healthier compared to conventionally produced food, while environmental considerations of how organic food is grown are not as important in consumers? view. Despite this overall preference for organic food, most consumers have limited understanding about organic food which should be addressed with awareness campaigns by the private sector and policy makers.