Dutch poll finds dairy leads organic breakfast choices

More than 1.5 million people in the Netherlands mainly choose organic products for breakfast, with dairy the most popular choice, according to a poll commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).

Among those who choose an organic breakfast product, 43% opt for dairy such as yoghurt or quark, followed by eggs at 28% and fresh fruit at 23%. The poll was conducted by research firm Ipsos I&O for the ministry.

The figures underpin a government campaign promoting organic food, which will focus on breakfast in the coming period. The ministry says the campaign aims to make people more aware of organic food and encourage them to buy it more often.

Price remains a major barrier: 73% of respondents said it was the main reason they would not buy organic food more often. A third said discounts or special offers would make that choice easier. The ministry’s announcement does not give the poll’s sample size or fieldwork dates.

Among people who buy organic food at least occasionally, 62% regularly choose organic vegetables, while nearly half buy organic eggs (48%) and fruit (46%). One in five said they choose organic specifically to support Dutch organic farmers.

The poll also found differences by age and region. People aged 65 and over showed greater stated intention to buy organic breakfast products than those aged 18 to 39 (44% compared with 36%). A quarter of respondents named breakfast as the easiest place to start making organic choices, although 56% said dinner was the easiest meal for doing so.