Prethodno priopćenje

https://doi.org/10.22598/mt/2023.35.2.205

Revitalization of the Slovenian Herbal Market? A Mixed Study Approach

Sabina Krsnik orcid.org/0000-0002-9897-7623 ; University of Novo mesto Faculty of Health Sciences
Karmen Erjavec ; University of Novo mesto Faculty of Health Sciences

Sažetak

Purpose – The study aims to identify the needs, barriers, and measures relevant for the revitalization of the herbal market in Slovenia.
Design/Methodology/Approach – A mixed-methods approach was used in the study, with a quantitative online survey of Slovenian herbalists (N = 217) and in-depth interviews conducted with key Slovenian stakeholders in the field of herbalism (N = 18).
Findings and Implications – Most Slovenian herbalists grow herbs as a hobby or as a supplementary farm activity; they have little land for growing herbs and thus also generate a low income. Most of them sell their products directly to consumers, with only one tenth selling herbs to retailers. As many as three quarters of the respondents are not a part of any organization which, along
with lower prices, is the main barrier to a market revitalization. The in-depth interviews revealed a lack of interest in collaboration among herbalists because they find the existing situation to be sufficient to a certain extent, as demand is greater than their supply. The results show no evidence of an herbal market as it existed before Slovenia’s independence.
Limitations – Since there is no census of Slovenian herbalists, the sample is not representative.
Originality – There is a lack of understanding of the barriers to and measures for revitalizing the herbal market, especially in developed countries whose market was well developed decades ago, such as Slovenia.

Ključne riječi

herbs; market; Slovenia; in-depth interviews; online survey; barriers;

Hrčak ID:

313009

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/313009

Datum izdavanja:

31.12.2023.

Posjeta: 272 *