Comparison of consumer preferences for organic product demand: romania and Turkey

Background: By the second half of 1980s, health sensitivity had started to rise in food and agricultural product consumption. In addition to health consciousness, rising environmental awareness and emphasis over achieving sustainability of agriculture, the definition of organic product was set forward and markets for both production and consumption of these products had started to emerge. Development of any sort of market can be achieved with evaluation of consumer expectations in developing countries. Objectives: Consumer valuation provides insights to producer markets and marketing organisations in terms of determination of marketing policy mix. Accordingly a brief survey was undertaken in selected provinces of Turkey and Romania to understand the acceptance of organic products and forecast the tendency to increase market share for those products in these two developing countries. Methods: The relationship between preferential factors and gender, education level, age, income level and occupational status of participants were assessed in the scope of the study. Results and Conclusion: The specialities and value of organic products were appeared as marketing mix components to be emphasized for the sample selected in two countries. It was understood that female consumers are more open to advertising efforts. Yet, alternative promotion tools should be developed for consumers with higher income and education levels. This situation is valid for both of these two developing countries.