Are Consumers’ Egg Preferences Influenced by Animal-Welfare Conditions and Environmental Impacts?

Djamal Rahmani, Zein Kallas, Maria Pappa and José Maria Gil
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Zein Kallas: The Center for Agro-food Economy and Development (CREDA-UPC-IRTA), 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
Maria Pappa: Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
José Maria Gil: The Center for Agro-food Economy and Development (CREDA-UPC-IRTA), 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: We conducted a labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) to assess consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for fresh hens’ eggs produced via different production systems (caged, barn, free range, or organic). We estimated purchase intentions and WTP for different possible reductions (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use in the egg production systems. Data were collected using an online open-ended questionnaire completed by a representative sample of 1045 Spanish egg consumers. The results of a random parameter logit (RPL) model showed heterogeneous preferences for different types of eggs with higher marginal utility and WTP for a production system ensuring higher animal welfare level, such as free-range eggs. However, consumers showed a lower preference for organic eggs at the actual market prices since they were unwilling to pay for this category of eggs. Moreover, there were positive marginal WTPs for reductions in GHG emissions and water use, but only for significant reductions (20% or 30%) with respect to the current situation. Potential buyers for free-range eggs were identified to be persons under 40 years old, persons with a monthly income of more than €1500, and persons who were pro-environment. Our findings provide producers, sellers and policy makers with useful information that may guide them in the development of successful communication and pricing strategies.

Keywords: free range; organic; greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; water use; willingness to pay; animal welfare; discrete choice experiment; eggs; production system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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