The global market of organic products is rapidly increasing. However, the geographical distribution of producers and consumers of these products is rather different. Pursuing a sustainable development of agriculture, organic farming is among the most favourable production methods, which is greatly encouraged by the increasing consumption of organic products. The Lithuanian Institute of Agrarian Economics in 2007-2008 implemented the project of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) on improving information, communication and knowledge systems for sustainable and organic agriculture. Within the framework of this project, a survey of consumers’ awareness about organic products was carried out. The sample of permanent residents of Lithuania (age 15-75 years) represents the distribution of population by age, sex, place of residence, education and purchasing power. The aim of this survey was to define the level of popularity of organic food products among the Lithuanian population and to analyse the frequency of consumption, needs for additional information that form the population’s opinion about the advantages and benefits of organic foods. The article presents findings of the survey. The majority of respondents (90%), mostly women (54%), responded that they consumed organic products on a more or less frequent basis. Most of such products were consumed by families with the income per one member amounting to over LTL 900. Respondents would be more encouraged to consume organic food products through the variety of supply (42%), a larger network of shops (31%), more information on organic products in places of trade (30%). Some 65% of respondents received information mainly from a close circle of friends, acquaintances, and family members. Second ranks the information provided on the labels of products (58% of respondents received information in this way), and the third comes the national and commercial television: 57% and 56% of respondents, respectively, received information through these channels. Consumers need much more information about the production or growing conditions of products (49%), places of sale (47%), composition (ingredients) of products (43%). The analysis helped to gather information regarding consumer opinions, awareness and interest in organic food products (including the level of information and preferred information sources).
Key words: environmental protection, organic farms, organic food products, information sources, respondent, certified production, consumption.
Skulskis V., Girgždienė V. Ekologiškų maisto produktų vartojimas ir jį skatinantys informacijos šaltiniai Lietuvoje // Žemės ūkio mokslai, 2009. T. 16. Nr. 3-4. p. 154-161, ISSN 1392-0200 (EBSCO, Central & Eastern European Academic Source, CAB Abstracts).
