The Nature and Extent of Innovation in the Canadian Food Processing Industry

Innovation is considered one of the critical determinants for improved competitiveness and economic performance of the food processing industry, if Canada is to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing global food market and to exploit niche markets for products and remain competitive in the long run. The report provides useful information about innovation in the food processing industry by examining the nature and extent of innovation, drivers behind its implementation, the challenges facing innovating establishments and the significance of support services. The report shows that the tendency of establishments to conduct R&D or innovate may be influenced by their characteristics, and there are several challenges to innovation.Food Processing, product innovation, process innovation, Research and Development, innovation impediments, collaboration, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Demand and Price Analysis, Financial Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Industrial Organization, International Relations/Trade, Labor and Human Capital, Land Economics/Use, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Property rights and land use regulation: a comparative evaluation

This paper reviews the rationale for policies aimed at limiting the conversion of farmland to nonfarm uses from the perspective of the economic theory of property rights. Policy measures to restrict the conversion of agricultural land to non-farm uses are commonplace in many countries. Typically, these policies are introduced to address long-run food security issues and possible externalities associated with incompatibility in land uses. The paper argues that the presence of externalities in the land market does not warrant farmland protection policies. Farmland protection policies in themselves can be a source of policy failure. It concludes that well-defined property rights along with nuisance and trespass laws, are necessary and sufficient for efficient allocation of land and can be a better alternative to farmland protection policies.Land Economics/Use,

A Statistical Profile of the Pork Supply Chain

The agriculture and agri-food sector faces a number of challenges such as rapid technological change, increased competition and changes in consumer requirements. The sector therefore needs to adjust to keep up with the changes and become more competitive. This report provides information about the pork supply chain and highlights the structural changes that have occurred over time in the pork industry. The report uses tables, charts and figures to describe performance indicators and structural changes within the industry and shows that the Canadian pork supply chain is healthy, growing and export-oriented.agricultural supply chain, market demands, performance indicators, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Consumer perceptions of beef healthiness: results from a qualitative study in four European countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Consumer perception of the healthiness of beef is an important determinant of beef consumption. However, little is known about how consumers perceive the healthiness of beef. The aim of this study is to shed light on the associations between beef and health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight focus group discussions were conducted in four European countries (France, UK, Germany, Spain), each consisting of seven to nine participants. A content analysis was performed on the transcripts of these discussions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although beef was generally perceived as healthful, focus group participants expected positive as well as negative effects of beef consumption on their health. Labelled, branded, fresh and lean beef were perceived as signalling healthful beef, in contrast with further processed and packaged beef. Consumers felt that their individual choices could make a difference with respect to the healthiness of beef consumed. Focus group participants were not in favour of improving beef healthiness during processing, but rather focussed on appropriate consumption behaviour and preparation methods.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The individual responsibility for health implies that consumers should be able to make correct judgements about how healthful their food is. However, the results of this study indicate that an accurate assessment of beef healthiness is not always straightforward. The presented results on consumer perceptions of beef healthiness provide insights into consumer decision making processes, which are important for the innovation and product differentiation in the European beef sector, as well as for public health policy decisions related to meat consumption in general and beef consumption in particular.</p

A Statistical Profile of the Pork Supply Chain

The agriculture and agri-food sector faces a number of challenges such as rapid technological change, increased competition and changes in consumer requirements. The sector therefore needs to adjust to keep up with the changes and become more competitive. This report provides information about the pork supply chain and highlights the structural changes that have occurred over time in the pork industry. The report uses tables, charts and figures to describe performance indicators and structural changes within the industry and shows that the Canadian pork supply chain is healthy, growing and export-oriented

The Social Benefits of Land Redistribution in South Africa: Case Studies

This paper ascertains the feasibility of transferring land to potential beneficiary households. It looks at the cost and benefits of land transfer in three selected case studies in Mpumalanga. The results indicate that it is socially beneficial to transfer land in all the case studies. The net present values were all significant but sensitive to changes in product price, input prices and the discount rate. Although the analysis shows negative net present values for the state, the positive net present value for the potential beneficiaries and the rest of society far outweighs the cost to the state. The paper concludes that transfer of land to potential beneficiaries in the three case studies will significantly reduce the level of poverty among the potential beneficiaries and improve their livelihoods. If it is in the interest of the state to alleviate poverty, particularly in rural areas, then land reform should be taken seriously

The Nature and Extent of Innovation in the Canadian Food Processing Industry

Innovation is considered one of the critical determinants for improved competitiveness and economic performance of the food processing industry, if Canada is to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing global food market and to exploit niche markets for products and remain competitive in the long run. The report provides useful information about innovation in the food processing industry by examining the nature and extent of innovation, drivers behind its implementation, the challenges facing innovating establishments and the significance of support services. The report shows that the tendency of establishments to conduct R&D or innovate may be influenced by their characteristics, and there are several challenges to innovation

Property rights and land use regulation: a comparative evaluation

This paper reviews the rationale for policies aimed at limiting the conversion of farmland to nonfarm uses from the perspective of the economic theory of property rights. Policy measures to restrict the conversion of agricultural land to non-farm uses are commonplace in many countries. Typically, these policies are introduced to address long-run food security issues and possible externalities associated with incompatibility in land uses. The paper argues that the presence of externalities in the land market does not warrant farmland protection policies. Farmland protection policies in themselves can be a source of policy failure. It concludes that well-defined property rights along with nuisance and trespass laws, are necessary and sufficient for efficient allocation of land and can be a better alternative to farmland protection policies