Vertical Coordination in Organic Food Chains: A Survey Based Analysis in France, Italy and Spain

Alessia Cavaliere, Massimo Peri and Alessandro Banterle ()
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Alessia Cavaliere: Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
Massimo Peri: Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: The paper analyses characteristics of vertical relationships of organic supply chains with a specific focus on the processing and retailing sectors. The analysis takes into account different regions of the EU Mediterranean area. Data were collected through interviews using an ad hoc questionnaire. The survey was based on a sample of 306 firms, including processors and retailers. The analysis revealed that a relevant aspect for the processing firms of organic products concerns the guaranteeing of safety and quality levels for the products. The main tools to implement the quality management are based on the adoption of specific production regulations and quality controls. The premium price most frequently applied by processors ranges from 10% to 40% and similar values are revealed for retailers. The diffusion of supply contracts allows the vertical coordination between agriculture and processing firms in the organic supply chains. The main distribution channels for the processing firms are represented by specialised shops in organic products, direct sales and supermarkets.

Keywords: organic food supply chains; vertical coordination; survey; EU countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:6:p:569-:d:72217

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