Consumer perception of organic animal-based foods in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Due to concerns about non communicable diseases, animal welfare, and the organic animal product sector have become emerging trends in the world as well as in Sri Lanka. As very little is known about consumer perception about organic animal products, a survey was conducted in Colombo district, Sri Lanka together with 178 respondents. Five supermarkets and one organic selling place (Good market) were used for the survey. By using the chi square method, the effect of each demographic character on awareness and purchasing behaviour about organic animal products was evaluated. Out of total respondents, 51% of respondents reported that they did not hear about organic animal products. Only 49% of respondents had heard about organic animal products. Among 49% of respondents, only 61% of respondents were buyers and 37% were non buyers. The majority of the organic animal products buyers were in middle age (31-45 years old), well-educated, and had higher family income over 100,000 LKR. The higher price was reported as a barrier to purchase organic animal products. The majority of the respondents believed that organic animal products do not contain residues of pesticides, antibiotics, and medications, as well as majority of respondents, believed that there was no difference in taste between organically and conventionally produced animal products. At present in Sri Lanka, certified organic animal products are not available. Therefore, out of total buyers, 98% of respondents had been misled the term organic and they purchased free-range animal products.