A Stated Preference Investigation into the Chinese Demand for Farmed vs. Wild Bear Bile
2011

Chinese Preferences for Farmed vs. Wild Bear Bile

Sample size: 1677 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dutton Adam J., Hepburn Cameron, Macdonald David W.

Primary Institution: University of Oxford

Hypothesis

How does the availability of farmed bear bile affect the demand for wild bear bile among the Chinese population?

Conclusion

Many Chinese consumers prefer wild bear bile over farmed bear bile, indicating that farming may not significantly reduce demand for wild bile.

Supporting Evidence

  • Respondents showed a clear preference for wild bear bile over farmed bile.
  • The introduction of farmed bear bile may actually increase demand for wild bear bile at certain price points.
  • Cross price elasticity of wild bear bile with farmed bear bile was found to be inelastic.

Takeaway

People in China like wild bear bile more than farmed bear bile, even though farmed bile is cheaper and more available.

Methodology

The study used stated preference techniques to estimate demand functions for wild bear bile with and without competition from farmed bear bile.

Potential Biases

The study may not accurately represent the preferences of the entire Chinese population due to sampling bias.

Limitations

The sample was biased towards better educated and wealthier respondents than the overall Chinese population.

Participant Demographics

The sample included a higher proportion of educated and wealthier individuals compared to the general population.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021243

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