Consumption of sustainable products doubles in Latin America, says Mercado Libre

Online consumption of products with a positive impact on the environment, such as energy savings, for example, has doubled in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, according to a study conducted by Mercado Libre.

The survey was conducted based on data from the platform, collected between April 2021 and March this year. About 4.3 million people acquired more than 7.3 million sustainable products last year. Brazil corresponds to 40% of this market and has more than half of the buyers in the category.

Products with positive impact are those that, for example, generate socio-environmental benefits.

The category of home and furniture products was the leader in sales in Brazil and the region, especially compost bins and LED-based lighting, as well as the household appliances section. There is a search for high-energy-efficiency products, such as air conditioners or microwave ovens.

In addition, rechargeable coffee capsules, reusable bottles, menstrual containers, and bicycles are among the most popular products sold on the platform.

By analyzing the behavior of more than 380,000 consumers in the region, Mercado Libre also sees a trend that the first purchase is of a sustainable product.

The number of Brazilian consumers opting for these items grew by 32% compared to 2021, above the 29% advance in the other Latin American countries.

An additional survey of more than 3,800 users of the platform pointed out that the majority (32%) of Brazilian consumers who buy sustainable products are between 35 and 44 years old.

Consumers over 55 represent 32% of buyers. And 91% agreed that “the current environmental situation is very worrying” due to global warming, contamination, and water scarcity.

It is a trend that Yahoo Brazil perceived in the report “Connect Creative Commerce 2022”, which analyzes the major retail transformations and innovations.

According to the document, guided by the ESG pillars (social, environmental, and governance), retailers invest in projects and efforts to reuse materials and minimize production impacts.

The circular economy is also gaining space in trade strategies since it is perceived that more and more people are willing to buy from brands that have their products linked to social causes or sustainable practices.

With information from Valor Econômico