DEMAND FOR DATES FREE OF PESTICIDE RESIDUE IN SAUDI ARABIA

The study estimates the premium price consumers in Saudi Arabia are willing to pay for free pesticide residues (FPR) dates and investigates the factors affecting their willingness to pay. We collected preliminary data and used a double-bounded model. The average premium consumers are willing to pay for FPR dates is SAR 12.96 (3.45 USD) per Kg, representing 86% above the market price of traditional dates. The results pose that education, marital status, shopping contribution, and income influence WTP. So are food safety attitudes, agreeing with the pesticide ban, and preferring buying branded fruits and vegetables. The results will provide insights into designing market strategies and more effective policies to improve the welfare of producers and consumers.