Are Consumers Willing to Pay More for Sustainable Products? A Study of Eco-Labeled Tuna Steak

Guzhen Zhou, Wuyang Hu and Wenchao Huang
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Guzhen Zhou: School of Economics, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, North Office Tower Rm. 824, No. 169 Shuanggang East Rd., Nanchang 330013, China
Wenchao Huang: Research Associate, Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, No. 63 Chifeng Avenue, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: A high demand for seafood leads to overfishing, harms the long-term health of seafood stocks, and threatens environmental sustainability in oceans. Sustainability certification is one of the major sustainability movements and is known as eco-labeling. For instance, in the tuna industry, leading tuna brands have committed to protecting sea turtles by allowing the tracing of the source of their tuna “from catch to can.” This paper relies on an Internet survey on consumers from Kentucky conducted in July 2010. The survey investigates household-level tuna steak (sashimi grade) consumption and examines consumer preferences for eco-labeling (“Certified Turtle Safe” (CTS) in this study) while mimicking individuals’ seafood procurement processes. A random parameter logit model is utilized, and willingness-to-pay measures are calculated based on model estimation results. It was found that respondents on average preferred turtle-safe-labeled tuna steak and were likely to pay more for it; however, they were less likely to purchase wild-caught species, and insignificant results were found for pre-frozen. Moreover, significant heterogeneities were found across individuals regarding tuna steak purchases. The findings indicate evidence of public support for environmental friendliness, particularly with regard to eco-labeling.

Keywords: eco-friendly labeling; willingness-to-pay; mixed logit model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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