Demand for organic vegetables in the Philippines: A study of food establishments and consumers in Metro Manila
2006
Nocon, N.(Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture (Japan)) | Fujimoto, A.
Vegetable is considered a cheap nutritional source by most Filipinos, and an important component for the healthy lifestyle of the wealthy few, who represent the niche market for the organic vegetable industry. Because there is a need for updated research for a demand-driven industry, we conducted a series of survey of the demand for organic vegetables in Metro Manila from 2002 to 2003. We collected information from 11 hotels and restaurants, 118 general consumers, seven supermarkets and four organic markets. The main findings of this study were as follows : (1) the majority of the hotels and restaurants showed no intention of purchasing organic vegetables due to their high regard for low price, good quality and stable supply of produce, while general consumers still seemed to be the potential buyers especially if a variety of organic vegetables are regularly available and at an affordable price ; (2) carrots accounted for 30% of the total volume of the 75 vegetables sold in the organic markets ; and (3) demand for carrot medium, tomato ordinary, onion and potato ordinary were highly elastic to price changes, meaning that if there would be stable supply for these vegetables, prices are expected to be lower, resulting in a higher demand. (4) Carrot combined with celery was popularly consumed as juice to naturally cure or prevent cancer. Through the cross-price elasticity analysis, carrots and celery appeared to be complementary goods.
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