7 27.3 0 DEVELOP THE MARKET FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTS

72.7 27.3 0 develop the market for organic products? import of organic products as a factor for the development of Bulgarian organic market Interviewed experts have different opinions in import’s influence on the Bulgarian organic products’ market. Nearly 70 % of them considered that import supported the development of the organic products’ market (Figure 3). Some of them expressed the opinion that imported organic products will have a higher prices. As a result, there is a danger consumers to associate organic product with high prices. Other respondents shared the view that imports of organic products won’t affect the market for these products. Organic products are purchased by a limited numbers of high incomes consumers, regardless of their high price.

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Figure 3. Do the imports have a influence to development of organic product’s market? Some of them expressed a view that import of organic products would have positive influence to the variety of organic products, which will satisfy the needs of consumers. Import helps the appearance of products that are missing on Bulgarian market. This would make much easier recognition of these products and would increase the interest of consumers. Imports would stimulate supplying associated with more additional information and education for consumers about organic products. This would assist and facilitate the recognition of organic products by consumers. Positive impact of imports is seen also in the increased competition on the market. Imports will give a signal to the consumers that such a product exist and consumers awareness in turn will help the producers to understand that consumers are looking for high quality products and a diverse assortment. On stage of distribution and retail experts suggested several measures that would stimulate development of organic production and marketing: Stimulating consumption of organic products in public institutions - hospitals, schools, nursery schools, army The majority of experts (81%,) were in the opinion that the supply of organic products in the state and municipal institutions will support the development, not only of the supply chain but also the production of such products.

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