U.S. consumers are among the least likely shoppers from around the world to regularly purchase organic food and beverage products, according to a new online global survey from ACNielsen, the world's leading provider of consumer and marketplace information. Asked about their purchasing of organic alternatives from 11 food and beverage categories, just 6 to 15 percent of U.S. consumers said they purchase such products regularly - well short of the average among consumers from all 38 markets included in the study.
Regularly Buy Organic Alternative
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Product Category Global Average U.S. Consumers
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Eggs 32% 15%
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Vegetables 29% 15%
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Fruit 28% 15%
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Dairy (milk, cheese) 23% 14%
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Fresh Meat 21% 12%
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Fruit Juice 20% 11%
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Poultry 18% 12%
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Tea 18% 12%
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Packaged Food 11% 9%
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Deli Meats 11% 6%
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Carbonated Beverages 9% 7%
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Across all regions, the main reason for purchasing organic food and beverages is that consumers believe such products are healthier for them. The secondary reason cited by consumers in all regions except Europe is the perceived health benefits for the shoppers' children. In Europe, more people cited benefits for the environment as their secondary reason to purchase organics.
Top Reasons for Buying Organic Products
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Product Category Global Average U.S. Consumers
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Healthier for me 51% 56%
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Healthier for my children 17% 18%
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Better for environment 15% 12%
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Kinder to animals 7% 2%
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