An economic and legal assessment of the EU food industry's competitiveness

Jo H.M. Wijnands, Harry J. Bremmers, Bernd M.J. van der Meulen and Krijn J. Poppe
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Jo H.M. Wijnands: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands, Postal: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands
Harry J. Bremmers: Wageningen University, Management Studies, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands, Postal: Wageningen University, Management Studies, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
Bernd M.J. van der Meulen: Wageningen University, Food Law, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands, Postal: Wageningen University, Food Law, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
Krijn J. Poppe: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands, Postal: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands

Agribusiness, 2008, vol. 24, issue 4, 417-439

Abstract: The objective of this article is to assess the competitiveness of the European food industry from an economic and legal perspective. Knowledge of its present competitiveness and improvement opportunities are lacking. To close this knowledge gap, we measured the competitiveness of eight subsectors, benchmarked them with four leading world economies, assessed the effect of differences in legal requirements, and predicted future developments using scenario analysis. International economics indicators supplemented with data on legal issues from a survey conducted by leading experts were used to measure competitiveness. The results show that the EU food industry's competitiveness is weak. The legal system was positively evaluated compared to the U.S. system, but major improvements are possible. The recommendations are to improve economies of scale, economies of scope, ICT-based supply chain management, and exploit cultural differences through innovation, within a more flexible and streamlined legal framework. [Econlit. Citations:F14, L66; Q13]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:agribz:v:24:y:2008:i:4:p:417-439

DOI: 10.1002/agr.20167

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