Lithuanian consumers believe local foods are healthier

Experts say that such a view is not always rational, although it is prevalent in many countries.

A new study, carried out in Lithuania, Switzerland and Austria, suggests that consumers are more suspicious of imported food products and assume them to be less healthy than locally produced ones. However, if they learn that Lithuanian-made goods are harmful, they would readily go for imported products.

Dr. Justina Gineikienė, one of the authors of the study, says that the second important criterion for Lithuanian consumers is price.

Producers have long noticed these perceptions of consumers and therefore readily underscore the made-in-Lithuania aspect of their products in marketing.