The role of producer organizations in supply concentration and marketing: a comparison between European countries in the fruit and vegetable sector.

摘要

The fruit and vegetable (FV) sector accounts for approx 20% of the total value of agricultural production in the European Union; the countries with higher significance are Greece, Spain, and Italy (from 25% to 35%). However, producers are negatively affected by structural problems related to the small size of farms and their inability to concentrate and promote production. In order to improve producers' competitive conditions, the 2007 reform of the Common Market Organization for fruit and vegetables provides measures in favour of growers who are members of Producer Organizations (PO). A comparative study of the capability of PO to concentrate supply and promote the production of their members in 3 producing countries (Italy, Spain, and France) was carried out. The analysis was based on operational programs prepared by PO to obtain financial aid from the European Commission and considers production value distribution and composition, marketing channels (supermarkets, wholesale, small retail and processing), and measures provided to support farmers in production, marketing and the protection of the environment. A descriptive statistics analysis and an empirical regression model are used.