Yearbook of Organic Farming in the Czech Republic 2009

The yearbook brings summary of situation on field of organic farming, production, sale, distribution, consumption, promotion, education and research in the Czech Republic. The total acreage of organically farmed land at 31. 12. 2009 had increased to 398,407 ha, which represents 9,38 % of total agricultural land in CZ. Acreage under conversion had reached 26 % (i.e. 103,964 ha). This means the biggest yearly increase in the whole history of OF development (i.e. an increase of 56,775 ha)

Improving Access to Healthy Foods: A Guide for Policy-Makers

Outlines how state and local policies on land use, planning, and community and economic development, as well as programs in schools and government institutions, can help in producing, marketing, and increasing access to affordable healthy food

The Organic Market in Switzerland and the EU - Overview and market access information for producers and international trading companies

The organic market is highly diverse. Production standards and certification and trade rules place considerable demands upon market participants. At the same time, this market holds out excellent opportunities for creative and circumspect producers, processors and traders. To operate successfully in organic import and export business alike, it is crucial to have accurate information on the potential of the specific organic market and on the conditions governing market access. The attractively designed handbook offers the very latest market information for producers an international trading companies, organized both by product group an by country on 80 pages. This second edition is updated in all chapters and has in addition three new markets: Austria, Italy and Sweden. In addition, the handbook provides an easily accessible overview of the - in some instances - quite complicates - import requirements applicable in Switzerland and the EU. In a further 50-page appendix, the handbook contains an extensive collection of addresses (trading companies, authorities, certification bodies, organizations etc.) and Internet Websites. The second edition of this handbook has been produced in English

RESEARCH UPDATES

Includes: Price and Distribution Variations for Value-Added Vegetable Products in California. Jim Ahern and Marianne Wolf, Professors, Agribusiness Department, Cal Poly State University SLO. Case Study of Heritage Ranch, "Wolf-Friendly Beef." Helen L. Aquino, Graduate Research Assistant, Agricultural Economics, New Mexico State University. Branding Locally Grown Fruit and Vegetables Via State Logos. John R. Brooker, David B. Eastwood, and Morgan D. Gray; Faculty Members; Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Findings of Strategies Followed by the 28 Past Winners of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, 1988-1996. Robert R. Cangemi and Raymond H. Lopez, Pace University, Lubin School of Business, White Plains, New York. Consumer Opinions Concerning Fresh Potatoes: Delaware, A Case Study. Khari A. Cook, Ulrich C. Toensmeyer, Carl L. German, and J. Richard Bacon; Graduate Student, Professor, Extension Marketing Specialist, and Associate Scientist, respectively; Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Delaware. Country-of-Origin Labeling of Foods from the Consumer's Perspective. Robert L. Degner and Susan D. Moss; Professor and Director, and Economic Analyst, respectively; Florida Agricultural Market Research Center, University of Florida. Attributes Important to Wine Sales in On-Premise Markets. Tim Dodd, Director, Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute, Texas Tech University. The Effectiveness of U.S. Promotion Programs on the Export Demand for U.S. Pecans. James E. Epperson, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia. Evaluating Consumer Use of Food Advertisements: The Influence of Socioeconomic Characteristics. Ramu Govindasamy and John Italia; Assistant Professor and Marketing Specialist, and Program Associate, respectively; Department of Agricultural Economics and Marketing, Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Predicting Willingness-to-Pay for Integrated Pest Management Produce: A Logistic Approach. Ramu Govindasamy, John Italia, and Adesoji Adelaja Govindasamy; Assistant Professor and Marketing Specialist, Program Associate, Associate Professor and Department Chair, respectively; Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Survey Update on Retail Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables Over the Internet. Morgan Gray, David Eastwood and John Brooker; Faculty Members, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Food Quality Management Systems: A Research Update. Neal H. Hooker, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Food Safety, Texas A&M University, and Department of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts; Maury E. Bredahl, Director, Center for International Trade Studies, and Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri; Julie A. Caswell is Professor, Department of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts. U.S. Export Demand for Poultry Meat Products: A Bayesian Approach for Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) Model Estimation. Man-ser Jan, Chung L. Huang, and James E. Epperson, University of Georgia. Trade and Foreign Direct Investment in the U.S. Food Processing Industry. Mary A. Marchant, R. Munirathinam, and Michael R. Reed, University of Kentucky. New Uses for WIC Data: The Case of Ethnic Food Preferences. James R. Matthews, WIC Information, Research, and Evaluation Unit, California Department of Health Services. A Food Industry Forecast. John L. Park and Edward W. McLaughlin, Food Industry Management Program, Cornell University. Consumer Selection for and Knowledge of the Nutrient Content of Fresh Meats. Alvin Schupp, Jeffrey Gillespie, and Jose Aguero, Louisiana State University. Produce The Safe Way. Cheryle Jones Syracuse, Christine Taylor, and Barbara James; Associate Professor, Extension Agent, and Professor, respectively; Ohio State University Extension. Impact of Chain Store Expansion on Mexican Produce Distribution Practices. Debra Tropp, Agricultural Economist, Marketing and Transportation Analysis Program, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service, Washington, DC; Jaime Malaga, Research Fellow, Texas Agricultural Market Research Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; David Skully, Economist, Market and Trade Economics Division, Asia/Western Hemisphere Branch, USDA/Economic Research Service, Washington, DC; John Link, Senior Economist, Market and Trade Economics Division, Asia/Western Hemisphere Branch, USDA/Economic Research Service, Washington, DC; Javier Calderon, Economist, Agricultural Planning Agency, Mexican Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, Mexico City, Mexico. Potential for Marketing Pacific Northwest Wheat Using Contract Specifications. Thomas Worley and Thomas Wahl, Department of Agricultural Economics, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Meat safety as a tool of differentiation for retailers: Spanish and French examples of meat "supply chain brands"

The purpose of this article is to analyse how the health crises have contributed to increasing the segmentation of the supply of fresh and little-processed food products under the impetus of a reinforcement of regulations (affecting the supply chain as a whole) and of strategies adopted by the stakeholders. Indeed, since several food crises have strongly affected the production of animal food products, food safety has become one of the most important aspects of quality products for both consumers and retailers. The authors carry out an empirical and comparative analysis of the reactions of two neighbouring countries (Spain and France) faced with major health crises caused by similar events: the emergence of BSE cases. A special focus is made on the initiatives taken privately by two French retail groups (Carrefour and Auchan) operating in both countries. The analysis shows that retailers have developed systems of quality insurance developed in order to reduce uncertainty and to restore consumers’ confidence in the quality of the products they buy. These programmes of actions pave the way for policies of product differentiation. In a relatively different context from that of France, the two big French retail groups Carrefour and Auchan operating in Spain have developed similar approaches, which had not been the case in France. The paper provide useful keys for a better understanding of the strategies of retailers (use of "supply chain brands" as tools of differentiation to ensure consumers’ loyalty, marketing communication) in a context of sharp competition and of relative dissatisfaction with respect to «minimum quality» standards. \u

The resilient character of PDO/PGI products in dynamic food markets

The European and Italian food system is experiencing a change in the relationship with the consumer and with the distribution. In fact, customers are increasingly demanding, and are attracted, by products that have high quality content and a strong link with the territory. The brands with the price are the two factors affecting the strategic policies of the food producer firms. At the same time, the retail system has proven to be very sensitive to consumer demands by providing quality products at competitive prices and using their brand as an element of loyalty. In the European context, the Italian agri-food system has the higher number of products with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) recognition. However, 90% of PDO products are represented by only 15 Designations. This figure shows how different types of products find a much diversified business position in relation to the firm’s characteristics, to the markets characteristics, to the reputation of the Designation and to the consortium strategies in relation to their commercialization. The objective of this research, based on observed data collected through the survey of QUALIVITA Association, is to provide an exhaustive picture of the economic characteristics of the Italian PDO, PGI Designations and define a typology of such Designation according different set of variables as production system, reputation level, role of the territory and distribution channel. The ultimate goal is to determine the strategic levers taken at the marketing stage and to identify which factors clarify their potentiality on the market. The methodology adopted for the quantitative analysis is based on non-hierarchical cluster analysis by the method of k-mean in order to identify clusters of similar designations which explain what variables act on the various strategies adopted and on the related development processes.PDO/PGI, quality, modern distribution, cluster analysis, marketing strategies, development processes, Agricultural and Food Policy, Marketing,

Food System and Food Security Study for the City of Cape Town

Food insecurity is a critical, but poorly understood, challenge for the health and development of Capetonians. Food insecurity is often imagined as hunger, but it is far broader than that. Households are considered food secure when they have “physical and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (WHO/FAO 1996). Health is not merely the absence of disease, but also encompasses good nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Individuals in a food insecure household and/or community are at greater risk due to diets of poor nutritional value, which lowers immunity against diseases. In children, food insecurity is known to stunt growth and development and this places the child in a disadvantaged position from early on in life. Any improvement in the nutritional profile of an individual is beneficial and as the family and community become more food secure, the greater the benefit. It further reduces the demand on health services. In the Cape Town context, food insecurity manifests not just as hunger, but as long term consumption of a limited variety of foods, reduction in meal sizes and choices to eat calorie dense, nutritionally poor foods in an effort to get enough food to get by. Associated with this food insecurity are chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency, particularly among young children, and an increase in obesity, diabetes and other diet related illnesses. Food insecurity is therefore not about food not being available, it is about households not having the economic or physical resources to access enough of the right kind of food. The latest study of food insecurity in Cape Town found that 75 percent of households in sampled low-income areas were food insecure, with 58 percent falling into the severely food insecurity category. Food insecurity is caused by household scale characteristics, such as income poverty, but also by wider structural issues, such as the local food retail environment and the price and availability of healthy relative to less healthy foods. The City of Cape Town therefore commissioned a study based on the following understanding of the food security challenge facing the City. “Food security or the lack thereof is the outcome of complex and multi-dimensional factors comprising a food system. Therefore, food insecurity is the result of failures or inefficiencies in one or more dimensions of the food system. This necessitates a holistic analysis of the food system that than can provide insights into the various components of the system, especially in our context as a developing world city.” The call for a food system study sees the City of Cape Town taking the lead nationally, being the first metropolitan area to seek to engage in the food system in a holistic manner and attempting to understand what role the city needs to play in the food system. The City must work towards a food system that is reliable, sustainable and transparent. Such a system will generate household food security that is less dependent on welfarist responses to the challenge. In this context, reliability is taken to mean stable and consistent prices, the nutritional quality of available and accessible food, and food safety. Sustainability means that the food system does not degrade the environmental, economic and social environment. Finally, transparency refers to the legibility of the system and its control by the state and citizens

Review of the market for Welsh organic meat, 2007

The supply situation for Welsh organic meat Organic production in Wales has been developing steadily in the last five years, with particular emphasis on organic cattle and sheep production. This was despite over-supply conditions in some sectors, notably dairy, following the very rapid growth in 1999/2000. Between the end of 2002 and end of 2005, the number of holdings increased by 12% to 688, and the certified land area increased by 29% to 71,000 hectares, of which more than 90% is grassland. Growth in Wales has exceeded other parts of the UK, reaching 5% of agricultural land by end 2005. More rapid growth is projected for 2006 and possibly 2007. Organic cattle and sheep numbers have also increased steadily between 2003 and 2005, with total cattle numbers increasing by 114% to 37,000, and total sheep numbers increasing 105% to 248,000, representing 17 and 36% of the end 2005 UK organic population respectively (compared with 16% of UK holdings and 12% of UK land area). Actual output of Welsh organic lamb and beef is more difficult to quantifying reflecting a continuing need for improved statistical data to support market development and the delivery of public policy. Best estimates are 4000-5000 cattle slaughtered as organic, but potentially available production (some in conversion and/or marketed as conventional) may be as high as 8000 head. For lambs, possible estimates based on availables source range from 25,000 to 57,000, but potentially available production may be as high as 100,000. Better data is available within the industry, but is regarded as highly commercially sensitive and was not made available to the review team. Organic farm gate prices for lamb and beef have remained relatively steady over the period, although the gap with conventional prices has closed as the conventional sector has recovered. Recent increases in demand for organic meat, and the temporary suspension of beef imports from Argentina (now restarted) have resulted in some strengthening of organic prices in 2006. Organic premium prices do not, however, fully compensate for the increased costs of production per kg of meat, so that organic producers, like their conventional counterparts, are being paid less than the real costs of production, and are relying on Tir Mynydd, agri-environmental and Single Farm Payments to subsidise continued production. This leaves the industry vulnerable to any decline in market conditions and will mean continuing pressure on smaller producers to leave the sector. The Welsh organic red meat sector currently relies on two main marketing approaches. The majority of lamb and beef (> 80%) is marketed through multiple retailers, supplied by two producer groups. The need for producer collaboration to ensure a strong price negotiating position with the multiple retailers is recognised and has been yielding benefits. The remainder of Welsh production is marketed on a smaller scale through specialist and local retailers and directly to consumers, through farmers markets, farm shops and via internet sales. There is currently virtually no exploitation of the potential export market (outside the UK) and still some difficulties with marketing light and store lambs as well as dairy bred calves and cull cattle, although various initiatives are in progress to address this. The demand situation for Welsh organic meat From a consumer demand perspective, the overall organic food market is in a healthy state: according to TNS data, it has just passed the £1 billion mark and has put on an extra £200 million in the last two years. Growth in the latest year was 10% and 17% in the previous year. There is still huge opportunity for growth by continuing to convert non-users and simply getting existing users to purchase more often. Household penetration of any organic product is very high at 84%. However, many organic products are purchased by default, and are not planned, as consumers were either satisfying other needs or simply because they liked the product. The positive aspect is that organic is a benefit to products that fall in this category and gives something extra. Current organic users are also interested in most of the ethical issues affecting society today. They regard themselves as connoisseurs of food and wine and as such purchase quality and premium food. As the main contributor to the sales within each of these sectors, this may dilute the expenditure they could make on organic food specifically. Heavy users in total organic represent 20% of buyers and they are responsible for 80% of organic expenditure. You would expect these heavy users to be committed organic purchasers but they only spend 5% of their grocery shopping spend on organic products. None of them are exclusive organic users and they cross-shop across the retail quality tiers (Organic/Premium/Healthy/Standard and Value) extensively. In organic meat the situation is the same. There are 0.3% of meat shoppers who buy only organic and a further 0.1% who buy only organic and premium. The rest shop across all the tiers. This does however identify some of the scope for expansion and these heavy users must be prime targets for increased organic usage. The red meat heavy organic shopper will buy over six times a year but medium users just under twice and light users just over once. This level of frequency is low and would suggest little commitment from the light and medium buyers and a very mixed cross-tier purchasing strategy for the heavy organic buyer. There are 3.2 million households in GB who buy organic meat but there are only 68,000 who only buy organic meat. This figure is lower than that for any of the individual species, indicating that someone who is a loyal organic user of one species is not loyal to organic, when purchasing the other species. (Households who only purchase organic: Beef 108,000, Lamb 269,000, Pork 112,000, Red meat 68,000). Heavy organic meat buyers will have one or two children and be in social class ABC1; they may be younger and older family groups. They are over represented in London, South, Scotland, East England and the South West. Whilst beef is the biggest organic red meat sector, it is only 1.5% of total beef sales; Lamb is the strongest at 2.2% of sales. Pork is a clear third with organic being 1% of sales. Organic meat in Wales is currently worth £2.4 million and is growing at 3% a year. This growth is coming from new entrants into the market. Total GB is growing 10% ahead of Wales but the household penetration in Wales is higher at 13.1% compared to 12.9% for GB. Growth in Wales is coming from all age groups and social classes, with the under 28’s and the C2 groups being particularly strong. This report also looks at the retail market in Great Britain for organic produce; there are additional opportunities within the foodservice sector where a number of specialist organic restaurants are appearing and interest shown by some of the large operators in including an organic alternative on their menus. There are also opportunities for export of organic Welsh lamb; currently some exports to Italy are carried out and there is further potential to exploit and develop this market. The potential for export of light organic lamb is restricted to southern European markets due to the small size and high seasonality of the product. Hybu Cig Cymru is have ongoing discussions with potential buyers in countries such as Portugal, Spain and Greece; however to date, the small volumes required have precluded meaningful developments due to logistical difficulties. Recommendations Despite the generally positive outlook from a demand perspective, there is a need to address some of the factors that might discourage producers from converting, including disruption to the Organic Farming Scheme, price levels that are below costs of production, and lack of markets for some livestock categories, in particular light lamb. To address this, there is a need for: • better statistical data on current and future production levels and market shares; • continued efforts to support producer groups in developing markets for organic meat and in seeking to achieve realistic prices; • continued development of alternative marketing channels, building on Welsh PGI and organic status, including local multiple and smaller retailers, public procurement, distribution hubs and exports; • consumer promotion initiatives and increased Welsh organic meat presence at trade fairs; • improved production systems, supported by effective research and development and knowledge transfer; • improved integration of effort between organic sector businesses and the agencies that support the development of the Welsh meat and organic sectors; • better linkage with the dairy, arable and horticulture sectors to benefit from complementarity relationships between the sectors at production, market development and promotional levels