Consumers’ willingness to pay for organic vegetables in Ivory Coast

Organic foods are currently receiving increased attention from researchers and policy makers due to the negative impacts of chemicals. In Ivory Coast, the supply of organic vegetables remains low, while consumers' behavior toward organic vegetables is still little documented in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a choice experiment method, this study analyzed the willingness to pay (WTP) for organic vegetables, focusing on urban and peri-urban consumers in Ivory Coast. The results of our survey of 2,189 heads of households indicate that consumers were only prepared to pay a little more for organic vegetables, even if they know it is better for their health. WTP was further reduced in the main city by the lack of certification. Our results will help institutional actors find ways to promote the consumption of organic vegetables as part of a larger strategy to improve the nutritional security of populations in Ivory Coast and neighboring countries.