Sind Low-Input-Lebensmittel für deutsche Öko-Verbraucher attraktiv?

Summary in the original language of the document

An increasing number of conventional products incorporating single aspects of organic
production systems such as lower inputs of pesticides, food additives or concentrated
animal feed (referred to as low-input products hereafter) are found on the food market.
By means of choice experiments, we explore consumers’ buying behaviour regarding
organic, conventional and low-input food in Germany. Our analyses show that lowinput
products mostly substitute conventional products. We identify two main groups of
buyers who are interested in low-input products: Firstly, consumers who buy little
organic and secondly, consumers who buy particular product groups in organic quality
and others in conventional. We suggest that the organic sector should take advantage
of its basic values to attract the low-input buyers. Through better communication of
what organic means, the organic sector could differentiate itself from low-input products
and gain new customers.