Alimentos orgânicos. Oportunidades de mercado e desafios

Abstract

In the last years, organic food experienced an increase of its importance in different countries. Studies conducted in different Brazilian capitals demonstrate an increase of consumer’s interest on organic food. The present paper aims to identify the main factors that inhibit the organic food consumption in the metropolitan area of Goiânia and to point out elements related to formulation of strategies to include organic products in the food market. 346 people, selected of random form had been interviewed, using a standardized questionnaire. Of this sample, about 20% consume organic foods regularly since more than one year. The factors that stimulate the acquisition of organic foods are the concern with the personal and familiar health (36.5%), the flavor, the color, the size or the consistency of the products (25.4%) and the guarantee of origin of the products (18.8%). On the other hand, the consumers pointed out some factors that would be limiting the organic food consumption: a) the high price (38.4%); b) the difficulty to find the products in the market (28.3%); e c) the lack of information on the products (18.8%).Thus, the actions toward the promotion of organic food should take these aspects into account.