Abstract

This study was conducted to suggest some alternatives to facilitate consumers' purchase of EAP (Environment-friendly Agricultural Products) by comparing purchasers and nonpurchasers in terms of their socio-economic characteristics, EAP purchasing behaviors and perceptions, and overall evaluation on EAP. Data were collected by 562 Gwangju citizens selected through snowball and convenient sampling procedures in 2007. Purchasers were more likely to be female, older, and in a higher income level than nonpurchasers. Purchasers, who were more knowledgeable about EAP, had a higher tendency to obtain EAP information through more diverse sources, and more relied on EAP certification mark to distinguish EAP. Purchasers were also more concerned about the safety from pesticides and had more confidence in the safety of EAP than nonpurchasers. Purchasers were more likely to perceive the importance of 'facilitation of EAP' and 'providing education and information about EAP' than nonpurchasers. Generally purchasers tended to be more satisfied with EAP and higher intention to increase their EAP purchase in the future. Implications of the results were discussed.

Keywords

• consumers' purchase;
• purchasers;
• nonpurchasers;
• environment-friendly agricultural products;
• socio-economic characteristics;
• purchasing behavior;
• perception Gwangju citizens