This paper assesses the economic feasibility of a novel market-based instrument for wetland conservation-a certification scheme for agricultural products. Using a stated preference survey involving wheat flour purchase decisions, we estimate that consumers are willing to pay 25%-29% more for wheat flour produced on fields with restored wetlands. These consumer price premiums translate to a 11%-12% increase in the prices received by producers after accounting for supply chain costs. Producer benefits of adopting the wetland certification scheme generally outweigh the wetland restoration costs for a typical Saskatchewan field, but the change in profits is minimal. The results suggest that this voluntary wetland certification scheme may be a useful addition to the wetland conservation policy toolbox, but will face barriers to producer adoption.
Keywords: Certification program; Choice experiment; Consumer demand; Producer costs; Wetlands.
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