Credence quality coordination and consumers' willingness-to-pay for certified halal labelled meat

• Published in: Meat science Vol. 95; no. 4; pp. 790 - 797
• Main Authors: Verbeke, Wim, Rutsaert, Pieter, Bonne, Karijn, Vermeir, Iris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Belgium; Certification - economics; Commerce; Consumer; Consumer Behavior - economics; Contingent valuation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Food Handling - methods; Food Labeling; Food Quality; Halal; Humans; Islam - psychology; Label; Male; Meat - economics; Middle Aged; Supermarket; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taste; Willingness-to-pay; Belgium; Label; Halal; Consumer; Willingness-to-pay; Supermarket; Contingent valuation
• ISSN: 0309-1740; 1873-4138
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2013.04.042

This paper reports on halal credence quality coordination and Muslim consumers' willingness to buy and pay for certified halal labelled meat at the supermarket and the Islamic butcher. Cross-sectional data were collected through a survey with 202 Muslim consumers in Belgium. Findings indicate that more acculturated and female consumers are more in favour of purchasing certified halal labelled meat in a supermarket. Important conditions are that supermarkets can provide a guarantee of separating halal from non-halal meat and of the organisation of adequate verification and control. Results further show that more Muslim consumers are willing to pay a price premium (of 13% on average) for halal labelled meat at the Islamic butcher shop than at the supermarket. The higher the importance attached to a certified halal label and the more distrust in the actual halal meat status, the higher the likelihood that a Muslim consumer is willing to pay a higher price for certified halal labelled meat at the Islamic butcher shop. Gender and generation determine the actual premium Muslim consumers are willing to pay. •Halal quality coordination is domestic or civic based on trust or common values.•Hygiene, freshness and taste are perceived the most important halal meat attributes.•Half of the study participants claim to be willing to buy halal meat at supermarkets.•The average premium for halal certified and labelled meat is 0.90 €/kg or 13%.