Consumers’ Attitude towards Organic Foods:
Evidence from Major Cities in Bangladesh
ANM Moinul Islam1
and Mohammad Nur Nobi2*
Abstract
The demand for organic foods is increasing globally as it is healthier, less emitting and
environment-friendly. People buy organic food as responsible consumers in developed
countries but what about developing countries like Bangladesh? With this view point,
this study aims to find the consumers attitude towards the organic foods as voluntary
contribution in mitigating emission and encouraging environment-friendly production.
Collecting primary survey data from major cities in Bangladesh, this study estimates the
logistic regression of consumers’ attitude (purchase) of organic foods as a function of
Consumer’s Income, Age, and Education level, Knowledge about Climate Change or
Environment, and having Elderly persons in their families. The findings show that the
level of education of the consumers and their responsibility towards environment and
climate change are highly significant in building awareness towards organic foods. It also
reveals that consumers’ level of income puts no significant importance in creating a
positive attitude towards the organic foods. This study suggests that increasing
awareness through education and other qualitative measures may change the
consumers’ attitude towards the organic foods in Bangladesh.
Key words: Consumers attitude, Organic foods, Major cities, Bangladesh
1. Introduction
The demand for organic foods is increasing due to the growing concern for environment,
climate and health hazards. The processes of the production are responsible for emission
which cause the climate change. It is estimated that almost one third of the Green House
Gases (GHGs) emission is contributed by agricultural products (Vermeulen et al, 2012).
Hence, to reduce GHG emission from agriculture, production of organic foods is encouraged
by the experts that emit very little or no GHGs. Although the reduction of GHG emission is
mostly voluntary for the developing countries, still by labeling a product as ‘organic product’,
producers can promote it to the consumers. The consumers may also voluntarily agree to
purchase the organic foods or the eco-products as a responsible consumer; to go green, to
contribute in emission reduction. Since organic foods are produced in natural process, their
prices are also higher than those of the conventionally produced food items. So, the
production of the organic foods significantly depends on the consumers’ preference;
whether they agree to purchase the organic foods with higher prices. On the other hand, the
quest of meeting higher demand for foods in the densely populated countries depends on
genetically modified (GM) foods. However, the GM food uses huge fertilizers, insecticides
1
Associate Professor, Asian University for Women, Chittagong, Bangladesh;
Email: moinul.islam@auw.edu.bd
2
Professor, Department of Economics, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh;
Email: nurnobi@cu.ac.bd * Corresponding author
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