The Potential Role of Short Food Supply Chains in Strengthening Periurban Agriculture in Spain: The Cases of Madrid and Barcelona

Carolina Yacamán Ochoa, Alberto Matarán, Rafael Mata Olmo, Jose María López and Rafael Fuentes-Guerra
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Carolina Yacamán Ochoa: Facultad de Geografía e Historia, Departamento de Geografía, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Alberto Matarán: Departamento de Urbanística y Ordenación del Territorio, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Rafael Mata Olmo: Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Jose María López: Habitat 4 SCA, 18001 Granada, Spain
Rafael Fuentes-Guerra: Habitat 4 SCA, 18001 Granada, Spain

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Periurban agriculture is being hit by the effects of the globalized food system, as well as by concrete aspects of urban sprawl. Nonetheless, proximity to the main markets provides an opportunity to sustain agriculture in highly urbanized areas. In this sense, an increasing number of local initiatives is arising within the context of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs). The economic impact of these initiatives, however, is limited by problems and inefficiencies that hinder their capacity to scale up. The present paper sets forth the results of a research project developed in Madrid and Cataluña. The study is based upon documentary and empirical research addressing the main problems periurban farmers are facing in relation to local food distribution. Among other factors, these refer to regulatory barriers, logistics, competition and dealing with consumers’ preferences. We conducted a questionnaire with a representative group of farmers from each region in three towns presenting different demographic sizes along with another questionnaire extended to the owners of small grocery stores, who play a vital role in the supply of fresh food in these municipalities. Our research demonstrates that most of the problems arising when dealing with SFSCS can be solved by introducing new forms of cooperation among the different agents of the food chain.

Keywords: short food supply chains; distribution; periurban agriculture; local food systems; farm questionnaire; small grocery questionnaire; governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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