Tag Archives: organic marketing

706-711 E. Peetsmann, A. Luik, K. Kall, A. Vetemaa, M. Mikk and A. Peepson
Organic marketing in Estonia
Abstract |

Organic marketing in Estonia

E. Peetsmann¹, A. Luik¹, K. Kall², A. Vetemaa², M. Mikk³ and A. Peepson³

¹Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia; tel: +372 7425 010; e-mail: elen.peetsmann@emu.ee
²Institute of Economics and Social Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 1, 51014 Tartu
³Centre of Ecological Engineering, Fr. Tuglase 1-6, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; tel: +372 7422 051

Abstract:

In order to foster organic marketing in Estonia, a farmer survey was conducted among organic farmers to determine where organic food is sold and how many farmers use organic labelling. A postal questionnaire was sent to 880 organic farmers, who had passed conversion periods. 313 farmers answered and 202 marketed at least one product. Estonian farmers use many different selling channels – from farm, delivery to customers, industry, processors, local markets, small shops and supermarkets, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, producers cooperative. The most common marketing channels are direct sale from the farm (88%) and delivery to customers (57%). 35% of farmers sell their products to the conventional food industry and/or processor, because there are only a few organic food processors. The reasons why organic food is sold as conventional are the absence of organic retailers and processors, especially in animal husbandry. The most common way to refer to organic farming is oral information. Only 15% of farmers use the Estonian organic logo on their products.

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