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    EL/2004/B/F/PP-148258

    ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF OCCUPATION

    CONTINUOUS TRAINING IN RURAL AREAS

    Marketing Advertisement of organic products

    Athens

    2006

    EL/2004/B/F/PP-148258

    Index

    . INTRODUCTION BASIC TERMS .............................................................. 3

    1. Organic Farming ....................................................................................... 3

    2. Organic Livestock Production ................................................................... 4

    3. Specification of organic Products production.......................................... 4

    B. MARKETING ADVERTISING OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS .......................... 9

    1. Means of trading organic products ........................................................... 9

    (a) Wholesale of organic products to distribution companies ................................9(b) Wholesale of organic products to supermarkets ...........................................10

    (c) Wholesale of organic products to organic products markets .........................11

    (d) Retail sale of organic products in open markets conventional or organic

    products markets ...........................................................................................12

    (e) Retail sale of organic products by the producer ...........................................12

    (f) Retail sale of organic products by agencies, such as Associations, through local

    markets ..........................................................................................................13

    2. Advertising Promoting Organic Products ............................................ 14

    3. Pricing Policy (cost, profit) of the Organic Products .............................. 20

    4. Competition level and market share ...................................................... 21

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    . Introduction Basic terms

    1. Organic Farming

    Organic farming, in the frame of the Regulation E.C. N 1257/99, is the conversion of

    the conventional farms to organic, by the use of methods friendly to the

    environment, as those are defined by the Regulation EEC N 2092/91 and its past

    and future amendments. Organic may be any unprocessed agricultural crop

    product, or human foodstuff, which is made up of one or more ingredients of plant

    origin. These products bear the indication organic, as they have been produced or

    compounded according to the principles of the Regulation EEC N 2092/91 (Index I,

    II & IV) and inspected according to specific measures of control, as they are

    described in Index III of the same Regulation.

    Organic Farming is a system of integrated production, where the freedom to use

    chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides is limited, compared to conventional

    systems of integrated production. Organic farming is not confined to a simple

    substitution of the synthetic and chemical substances of the conventional agriculture

    by the those permitted by the Regulation EEC N 2092/91. Organic farming demands

    an integrated and sustainable use of the natural resources and of the agricultural

    ecosystems.

    Thus, organic farming is a productive method which sustains the fertility and the

    morphology of the soil, promotes the welfare of the animals and at the same time-

    avoids the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, such as hormones and

    antibiotics, as well as Genetically Modified Organisms. The farmers are using

    techniques, which aid the sustainability of the ecosystems and the reduction of

    pollution.

    Organic farming and livestock production ar e mainly based on:

    The use of renewable resources, on a local level, the biological

    diversity of the ecosystem and the self-sufficiency of the soil.

    The use of indigenous plants and breeds of animals, which are

    adapted to the local environment and on the appropriate choice of

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    cultivation techniques and rotations, showing a preference to the

    mixed cultivation systems (coexistence of cr ops and livestock).

    The recycling of plant and animal origin wastes, so as to return

    nutrients to the land.

    2. Organic Livestock Production

    Organic Livestock production is a system of rearing based on the natural living

    conditions of the animals, using mainly organically produced feedingstuffs, giving

    priority to natural treatments rather than to allopathic medicines when diseases

    occur, is against genetic modification, protects the environment and is distinguished

    both for taking care of the welfare of the animal and for the quality of the products

    that are finally produced. It demands an integrated treatment of the animals, one

    that can guarantee their health and their natural development, as well as the

    sustainable development of the natural resources of the ecosystem.

    It has to be noted that organic pr oduction demands a greater effort and a higher

    labour input than the conventional one. On the other hand, the producer is

    compensated for this effort, as organic products have greater demand and higher

    prices than the conventional.

    In conclusion, organic farming is more than a new activity. It is a different

    philosophy of production, which is addressed to all those who feel nature,

    understand its needs and are sensitive enough to produce, without destroying.

    3. Specification of organic Products production

    On March 2000, the European Commission created a logo with the words Organic

    Farming EC Control System (Regulation EEC No 2092/91), as an optional basis for

    the producers, whose systems and products comply with the provisions of the

    Regulation. The consumers who buy these products may be certain that:

    At least 95% of the products ingredients are produced by organic methods

    The product complies with the rules of the official control system

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    The product is coming straight from the producer or the preparer in sealed

    packaging

    The products show, on the label, the name or the business name of the

    producer, the preparer or vendor, as well as the name or code number of the

    inspection authority or body

    a) As far as the fresh organic products are concerned, the specifications that

    rule the market are mainly laid down by the super markets, which are

    very strict about the macroscopic characteristics of the products.

    According to these specifications, fresh organic products should be totally

    developed, mature, clean and dry, grown according to their age, healthy,

    with no diseases, without cracks openings, with invariable colour on their

    surface. In addition, they must be divided according to their size, which

    determines their selling potential, as well as their price.

    Thus, what the producers need to do first, is to ameliorate the quality

    characteristics of their fresh products, so as to increase the percentage of

    the marketable products (first selection products), which render better

    prices and at the same time- improve the image and the credibility of

    their products. At a second phase, they must find new ways to dispose

    the products that do not comply with the above strict specifications

    (second selection products). These can be also traded as organic, and will

    end up either to processing (jams, sweets, pickles etc), or to the

    consumers, in open markets, at a lower price.

    On the other hand, the organic producers maintain that the price and the

    trading conditions should not be determined by the macroscopic

    characteristics of the products.

    b) For the processed organic products, the specifications required are stricter

    than that of the conventional products. Their main differentiations are

    related to the application of various control systems (ISO, HACCP etc), to

    the use of natural substances as preservatives and to the notification of

    the processing procedure, so as to make the control possible in every

    stage of the processing.

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    The minimum requirements for the organic livestock production, according to the

    Regulation (EC) No 1804/99, are the following:

    1. Conversion

    If livestock products are to be sold as organic, a period of conversion is required.

    Suggestively, we mention that the conversion period in the case of the animals for

    milk production is 6 month, and in the case of the animals for meat production:

    a. 12 months, and in any case the of their life for the bovine

    b. 6 months for sheep and goats

    These periods are valid only for the conversion of the livestock. The conversion of

    the land associated with the livestock production must precede. If the conversion is

    simultaneous of the complete production unit (livestock, pasturage, land etc) the

    conversion periods are different.

    2. Origin of the animals

    When a pr oduction unit is converted, all the animals of the same species must be

    converted. The same producer can rear different animals in the conventional way, in

    a different unit. For the organic livestock production, it is advised to select breeds or

    strains that are easily adapted to the environment (preferably indigenous).

    3. Free range areas

    All mammals must have access to pasturage, or an open-air exercise area, or an

    open-air run, while poultry must be reared in open-air range conditions. The land

    associated with the production must comply with the Regulations must undergo a

    conversion period and is, therefore, part of the inspection system. In an organic

    pastureland, it is permitted to feed animals that are not of organic origin, but the

    total number of animals should not exceed the potential of the area and in any

    case- the animals should be distinguished.

    4. Feed

    Livestock must be fed on organically produced feedingstuffs. Feed should be mainly

    natural, while any supplementary feedingstuff must also be organic. It is prohibited

    to use feedingstuffs that have been produced with the use of Genetically Modified

    Organisms or products derived therefrom. In general, natural vitamins, trace

    elements and minerals are allowed, while amino acids are not.

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    5. Manure management

    The total amount of manure applied on the holding must not exceed 170kg of

    Nitrogen per hectare/year. Until the spreading of the manure is possible, it should be

    kept in an appropriate storage installations of the holding, so as to avoid the

    contamination of crops, soil or water.

    6. Housing

    The housing conditions must be such, in which the animals can satisfy their biological

    and behavioural needs. The stocking density must be controlled, as there is a

    minimum surface net area permitted per head i.e. 1,5m indoors and 2,5m outdoors

    for sheep and goats. The animals should have freedom of movement. The products

    used for the cleaning and the disinfection of the livestock buildings and installations

    should be the ones permitted by the Regulation.

    7. Veterinary treatment

    In organic livestock production, the prevention of the diseases is considered to be

    very important. Prevention is ensured by the careful selection of the breeds of the

    animals, husbandry practices, use of high quality feed etc. If, despite that, disease or

    accidents occur, the animal must be treated immediately. Priority is given to

    homeopathic treatment. Antibiotics, or other allopathic medicines may be used only if

    the above products do not pr ove to be effective, while they can never be used for

    prevention. In case they are used, the withdrawal period must be twice the

    recommended. In any case, the same animal receives three or more treatments or

    one for animals whose productive lifecycle is less than a year, it cannot be sold as

    organic, unless it undergoes the conversion period.

    The parasite control must occur mainly through the right management of the land. It

    is possible to use antiparasitics, but only occasionally. Vaccination is permitted, as a

    mean to avoid disease.

    8. Other practices

    The reproduction is based mainly on natural methods. The cutting of teeth, tail-

    docking, trimming of beaks and dehorning are permissible only if they are necessary

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    to ensure the health, hygiene, safety or welfare of the animals. Physical castration is

    allowed only under special circumstances of production.

    The transport of livestock must be carried out with consideration, in such a way to

    limit stress. The livestock and the other products must be identified in all the stages

    of production, preparation, transport and trading.

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    B. Marketing Advertising of organic products

    1. Means of trading organic products

    The difficulty in the access of the organic products is one of the restrains of the

    respective market. A variety of organic products can be found only in few specialized

    shops. Moreover, even in case the consumers have actual access to organic

    products, a second constraint appears: their high price compared to the

    conventional products. For the greatest part of the consumers, the level of the prices

    is much higher than what they are willing to or even capable of- paying. Many

    surveys have indicated that consumers would be indeed willing to pay a higher price

    for organic products, which should not though exceed that of the conventional by

    more than 20-25%.

    A more effective management of the organic products market in Greece, requires a

    more effective and organized network of trading, combined with a reliable system of

    inspection and control. The consumption of organic products is limited due to the

    lack of information about their quality, to the low level of ecological awareness of the

    Greek consumer compared to the disposable income- as well as to the high prices

    and to the lack of constant offer.

    Facing the above constraints is bound to contribute to the improvement of the

    market of organic products in Greece. It is estimated that in the short term, the

    insufficient offer, and not the insufficient demand will be the main problem of the

    domain.

    The means of trading organic products can be categorized as following:

    (a) Wholesale of organic products to distribution companies

    It is the most widespr ead mean of trading organic products in our country, due to its

    strong advantages, combined with the exporting potential of many of the Greek

    products.

    The advantages are:

    It offers the possibility to program the production

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    It does not require selection, standardization and packaging

    It absorbs all the production

    It does not require: storage areas, post-selection procedures,

    means and network of distribution

    It contains only small danger as far as the kind of cultivation is

    concerned

    The disadvantages of this mean of trade are the following:

    The respectively low prices of the products

    The respectively high percentage of products that remain

    out of trade

    The lack of control over the final prices of the products

    The inability of processing the products

    The possible loss of the power to identify the products,

    when the products are mixed

    The long period of paying off

    (b) Wholesale of organic products to supermarkets

    This way of trading is increasingly used in our country, due to the amelioration of the

    organization of many of the small production units (i.e. greenhouses, small family

    businesses of processing).

    The advantages of selling the organic products straight to the markets are the

    following:

    The possibility to offer the products to a relatively higher number of

    customers

    The consumers facility in identifying the product and the possibility to

    gain a higher added price

    The possibility to expand to other products

    The possibility to partially process the products

    A relatively low risk, as far as the distribution of clients is concerned

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    The respective disadvantages are:

    It demands standardization and packaging

    It demands means and network of distribution

    The high competition between same products

    There is a medium/long period of paying off

    It demands a big variety of products, in order to enter the market

    The inability to further inform the consumer about the product

    (c) Wholesale of organic products to organic products markets

    It is a growing domain in our country, mainly due to the development of many small

    and medium specialised stores in many areas of the country (not only in the urban

    areas).

    The wholesale of organic products to organic products markets has the following

    advantages:

    The sales are personal and the consumers can be better informed

    The potential to sell the products in bulk, if the store is controlled and

    certified

    The potential to ameliorate the products, based on the comments of the

    consumers

    The potential to exchange views with the consumer

    It is easier to ameliorate and amend the products (i.e. the package)

    On the other hand, the disadvantages are the following:

    It demands a network of distribution

    It requires a big variety of products

    It involves a relatively high risk, as far as the distribution of the clients is

    concerned

    The promotion and distribution of the products requires a long period of

    time

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    The high competition between same products

    The long period of paying off

    (d) Retail sale of organic products in open markets conventional or organic productsmarkets

    This is one of the traditional ways of distributing organic products, since the

    beginning of organic farming in our country. Its main advantages are:

    The potential to offer products of lower quality

    It does not require standardization and packaging

    The price is paid in cash

    High prices can be achieved even for low quality products

    It does not require a network of distribution

    There is a daily and direct contact with the consumer

    Nevertheless, the disadvantages are:

    The loss of time -that would be spent in the farm

    It demands the respective infrastructure (i.e. refrigerators, storage areas)

    The long distance between most of the farms and the urban areas

    The lack of the respective supportive infrastructure by the Municipality

    It demands appropriate means of transport

    (e) Retail sale of organic products by the producer

    This way of distribution is not widely used in Greece. On the contrary, it is maybe the

    most widely used in the other European countries.

    Nevertheless, the development of organic farming and agricultural tourism,

    combined with the appropriate organization and infrastructure of the farms, could

    result to its wider use.

    The advantages are:

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    The opportunity to offer other services (i.e. eco-tourism, agricultural

    tourism

    The price is paid in cash

    The opportunity to offer (partially) processed products

    The direct contact with the customer

    While the disadvantages are:

    It requires a suitable room for the reception of guests customers

    It requires safe and smooth road connection

    It requires refrigerators and other facilities

    The achievement of sales requires an additional know-how

    The long distance between most of the farms and the urban areas

    (f) Retail sale of organic products by agencies, such as Associations, through local markets

    Associations of this kind function in many Greek cities (i.e. Chania, Corfu, Iraklio),

    and their renderings are high. Thus, a wider expansion is expected.

    This way of trading presents all the advantages described above, while it demands a

    far better organization of all the parameters (organization of production, processing,

    sales). In addition, it has the advantage of offering direct contact with the

    customers, who can be directly informed by the farmer himself, the possibility to

    record their needs and the possibility to regulate the offer of goods according to the

    demand.

    On the other hand, the fact that organisations of this kind are mainly functioning in

    relatively big urban areas, excludes the inhabitants of the remote areas.

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    2. Advertising Promoting Organic Products

    In order to schedule the promotion of organic products, it is important to know the

    characteristics of the audience, which these products address. The parameters that

    determine the consumers behaviour towards organic products can be classified as

    following:

    Economic

    Random, i.e. advertising

    Psychological & sociological, i.e. their wish to belong to a specific social

    group, or to demonstrate an attitude concerning their nutrition

    Demographical, i.e. the interest of the consumer is influenced by an

    increase in the members of the family (birth of children)

    In addition, it is very important to know the market s dynamic to absorb organic

    products, in order to balance the offer and the demand. This means that directions

    must be given, so as to avoid the increased offer of some products resulting to low

    prices for the producer - and the increased demand for others leading to high

    prices for the consumer.

    Some suggestive parameters that lead to increased demand and consumption of

    organic products are mentioned:

    The recent scandals concerning poultry and bovines, which have alarmed

    the consumers

    The consumers effort to have access to safe foodstuffs, such as organic

    products

    The consumers wish to avoid foodstuffs that contain Genetically Modified

    Organisms

    The consumers wish to support organic farmers, taking into account the

    positive effects of organic farming on the environment

    The expansion and increase of the variety of organic products

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    In the near future, an increase in the consumption of organic products is expected,

    due mainly to the following reasons:

    The intensification and improvement of the information flow about

    organic products

    The fact that organic products can be found in more markets (super

    markets, small and open markets etc.)

    The expected reduction of the prices, due to the improvement of the

    means and methods of production, standardization and trading.

    The future increase of the demand will largely depend on the coordination of an

    effective marketing strategy, in order to attract the consumers who either do not buy

    organic products, or buy them only occasionally.

    During the last years, there is a strong debate, in order to forecast the increase of

    the offer in the European market of organic products, which holds today a 10% of

    the total foodstuff market.

    The market of organic products appeared in Europe during the 1980s and in Greece

    a decade later. It was initially supported by a group of consumers who believed in an

    alternative lifestyle and had environmental awareness. Today, this dynamic is already

    exploited, and there is no obvious way to expand it.

    In Greece nowadays, most of the consumers buy organic products. This group of

    consumers can be approached in the small markets, if a modern marketing strategy

    is applied. For this type of consumers, the acceptance of the organic products higher

    prices is related to the belief that they are produced in an environmental friendly way

    and they are safer than the other products. Important criteria are the taste and the

    freshness. Nonetheless, some products, such as milk and other dairy products have

    no real difference in taste. Finally, another convincing parameter is the subjective

    difference in taste of some fruits and vegetables, possibly due to the greater variety

    of organic products and to the different climates, in which they are produced.

    The optimistic reports about the future increase in the demand are based mainly on

    the overestimation of the occasional consumers. According to that, the extension of

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    the market will be achieved through these invisible buyers, and not through the

    regular consumers.

    In order to promote conventional products, the advertisers and the producers mainly

    emphasize their quality characteristics, their nutrition value and their particularities.

    On the contrary, while promoting organic products, there is no particular reference

    to of the above characteristics; the emphasis is given to the lack of chemical

    fertilizers during their production and processing.

    In addition, in the future, Greek organic products will compete not only with the

    conventional Greek products, but with the imported organic products as well. The

    marketing s target should therefore be the promotion of characteristics such as

    localisation and safe origin.

    The marketing strategy that has the above targets must act at two levels: for the

    regular consumers, the political references which express the awareness, the values

    and the lifestyle should continue to be in force. In this way, a small part of the

    market is already covered. For the invisible and occasional buyers, the markets

    conditions (production cost, localisation, variety, increasing demand for new products

    etc.) should be taken into account. At this level, no particular ideology needs to be

    enforced.

    In the given framework of the internal organic market, a stable development can be

    achieved, through the maintenance of a small difference in prices between the

    organic and the conventional products. This presupposes a stable balance of cost

    and income and a professional marketing design.

    It also has to be noted that the need to maintain a stable difference in prices

    between the organic and the conventional products, combined with the increased

    production cost of the organic products renders the taking of measures by the

    respective agencies a need. Political measures are needed in order to control and

    organise the trade.

    It is also understood that the lack of information is one of the main burdens to their

    wider consumption.

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    In the frame of the efforts towards the development of the organic products market,

    emphasis should be given on the information and education of a wider audience. The

    consumers are interested in the safety of foodstuffs; they have, thus, to understand

    that organic products are healthy and of a higher quality, as well as to learn to trust

    the inspection systems and their indications. In addition, the consumers should be

    notionbetter informed about the of organic farming and products, as some of them

    cannot tell the difference between organic and a product friendly to the

    environment.

    Greek consumers seem to have no regard for the advertisements, whose messages

    do not seem to trust. Therefore, informing the public is a complicated procedure, for

    which the State, the producers, the companies, the traders and the specialists are

    equally responsible.

    Greek consumers are mainly informed about organic products by:

    Books about nutrition

    Specialised magazines

    Informational leaflets

    Organic producers

    Social environment

    Nevertheless, they seem to prefer information by the State in the following forms:

    Organised informational campaigns in the mass media (television, radio,

    newspapers)

    Through the development of public institutions (Informative Institute about

    Nutrition and Domestic Economy)

    Through the School (special modules on nutrition, environment etc.)

    By the Consumers Associations and Unions (seminars, lectures etc.)

    Today, special emphasis is given to personal sales, which are considered to be an

    effective way to transfer specialised knowledge. This kind of sale is indispensable,

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    especially for the organic products stores, as the consumer usually expects that the

    salesmen in such stores have the respective specialised knowledge.

    If special attention is given to the packaging and presentation, organic products can

    be differentiated from the conventional. It is important that the package is

    environmental friendly and not bigger than the product. Green packages are the

    ideal, meaning recycled paper bags, or other materials, designed in a way that

    ameliorates the image of the product. It is equally important to place organic

    products in a different shelf at the supermarkets; this way, the prices or the

    appearance of the products are not directly compared to the conventional ones.

    Moreover, it is essential to apply some of the marketing mixes, so that organic

    products can be equally attractive to the conventional, as far as packaging,

    advertising and promoting are concerned. The marketing mix should be based on a

    plan promoting high quality and taste. In addition, the package should at the same

    time be eco-friendly and modern, effective and healthy. The label should be a

    guarantee for the consumer about its organic character, being directly recognised.

    Education, training and information of all the agencies that are part of the chain that

    brings the products from the producer to the consumer are also indispensable, and

    there current condition is considered to be insufficient to cover the needs of the

    market.

    There is a need for a better-organised informational network, using all the available

    means. Below, we present some useful and effective strategies for the promotion of

    the organic products.

    I. Creation of a Website, containing information such as:

    b. A database, containing all the organic producers, the inspection

    organisations, the products produced, since when, the extent of their

    holdings etc.

    c. All the information concerning the inspection and labelling system, as

    well as the respective activities

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    d. All the surveys that have been conducted about organic farming, by

    Research Centres, Universities and other agencies in Greece or in

    other countries as well

    e. A database, containing the fertilizers that can be used, and where are

    they to be found

    f. Information concerning education and training, addressed to the

    producers

    g. A list of all the enterprises that are active in the domains of offer,

    transport, packaging, standardising and process of organic products

    h. Special references to successful practices

    i. Specialised knowledge and information concerning diseases and other

    problems

    j. A bibliography on issues of organic farming and livestock production

    k. Press releases concerning the latest trends in the domain

    l. Information on the educational programmes that are running

    m. Forum for the exchange of information and opinions

    n. Links to relative websites

    II. Organising Conferences, aiming to promoting organic products and to

    informing the public on issues such as:

    The advantages of organic products both for the consumers s health and for

    the environment

    The accreditation systems (how to recognize them)

    III. Circulation of an informational magazine

    Lastly, we present the reasons for which the producers of organic products should

    use the Internet in the promotion of their activities.

    The market, which they are addressing is constantly augmenting

    Their audience has both the will and the means to look for information in the

    Internet

    Many of the products can be described and sold in the Internet

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    Approaching costumers in many parts of Greece, where there are no

    specialized stores, can diminish the cost.

    3. Pricing Policy (cost, profit) of the Organic Products

    The parameters that determine the prices of organic products are the following:

    The offer and the demand: when the offer is sufficient, the prices ar e

    relatively low, while when there are not enough products in the market

    (especially during the first stages of the harvest) the prices are relatively

    high. Thus, what is valid for the prices of the conventional products is

    valid for the organic products as well. For the processed organic products

    on the other hand, there is an increased demand, which usually not

    covered by the domestic production, leading to high prices throughout the

    year. This is mainly valid for the dairy products.

    The competition with the conventional products: each organic producer

    should take into account the price of the respective fresh conventional

    products, any given moment, so as to try and keep the difference in

    prices low. The surveys conducted and the producers experience,

    indicate that the consumers are willing to pay a price up to 20-30%

    higher for organic products (depending on the product, its quality, the

    season, any special characteristics etc). An indicative example is feta

    cheese, whose price twice the price of the conventional- makes its

    purchase impossible for most of the consumers.

    The cost of inspection and accreditation, which is fixed, depending on the

    size and the number of the products produced. The producer should also

    have in mind the extra cost of the laboratory control.

    The cost of promotion and marketing, which are usually indispensable for

    the selling of the products. The cost for informational leaflets, labels etc,

    should be also taken into account.

    The cost of production, which is usually higher for organic products due

    various reasons. The production cost should be calculated taking into

    account the produced quantity, so as to find the production cost per

    product unit.

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    In organic farming, the know-how which is needed, combined with the higher

    intensity of the labour, the mechanical and manual essential tasks, the high prices of

    the inflow and the decrease of the renderings, render the production cost very high,

    especially during the first stages of the conversion of conventional holdings to

    organic. During these first years, the lack of know-how, information and equipment,

    combined with the prohibition to sell the products produced at this stage as organic,

    render the final production cost per unit very high.

    As time passes, though, the gr ound finds a dynamic balance and can be sufficiently

    productive without demanding an increased inflow. The application of an adequate

    method can decrease the production cost and change the financial situation of the

    organic producer.

    Finally, before determining the final price of a product, the targets that one wants to

    achieve must be examined as well: the maximising of profit, the augmentation of the

    market, the promotion of a new product etc.

    4. Competition level and market share

    Organic products may be initially considered as not having any specific competitors.

    Nevertheless, the insufficient production, their low quantity compared to the

    conventional, the few selling points and, mainly, the lack of information, render the

    organic products less competitive than the conventional ones.

    As far as the market share is concerned, it seems that organic products are

    addressed to a specific type of consumers who are consciously oriented towards

    foodstuffs of high quality (i.e. delicatessen), or of special reputation, exotic food and

    in general, towards the best they can find on the foodstuffs-markets shelves.

    Organic products are after better chances of competition and need to be compared

    with other products (i.e. delicatessen, products with protected designation of origin)

    so as to be distinguished for being healthy and eco-friendly.

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    Nevertheless, if we try to classify the main competitors of the organic products, we

    see that these are mostly the conventional products and their low prices -combined

    with the low wages and the limited purchasing capacity of the Greek consumers- and

    not the other products of high quality and with respectively high prices.

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