AN ANALYSIS OF EXPORT MARKET STRATEGIES AND BARRIERS PERCEPTIONS BY U.S. AGRICULTURAL HVP EXPORTERS

This study identifies barriers perceived by agricultural exporters and examines how these perceptions influence use of export market strategies. Ordered logit models are used to estimate effects of perceived barriers and firm characteristics on export market strategies. The results from these models show that perceptions about import restrictions influence use of diversification of exports across products, competition influences use of competitive export pricing, and overseas product regulations affect product adaptation for export markets.International Relations/Trade,

TWO-STAGE UTILITY MAXIMIZATION AND IMPORT DEMAND SYSTEMS REVISITED: LIMITATIONS AND AN ALTERNATIVE

Two-stage utility maximization theory has been widely used in the literature to estimate import demand for agricultural commodities that are often inputs. This article examines the overlooked conceptual and empirical limitations of applying two-stage utility maximization theory to model the demand for imported commodities that are inputs. A discussion is presented about how the underutilized theory of two-stage profit maximization overcomes these limitations. Also discussed are the conditions under which errors illustration of the two-stage profit maximization procedure is provided.Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

New England Cod Collapse and the Climate.

To improve fishery management, there is an increasing need to understand the long-term consequences of natural and anthropogenic climate variability for ecological systems. New England's iconic cod populations have been in decline for several decades and have recently reached unprecedented lows. We find that 17% of the overall decline in Gulf of Maine cod biomass since 1980 can be attributed to positive phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This is a consequence of three results: i) a 1-unit increase in the NAO winter index is associated with a 17% decrease in the spring biomass of age-1 cod the following year; ii) this NAO-driven decrease persists as the affected cohort matures; iii) fishing practices appear to exacerbate NAO's direct biological effect such that, since 1913, a 1-unit increase in the NAO index lowers subsequent cod catch for up to 19 years. The Georges Bank cod stock displays similar patterns. Because we statistically detect a delay between the NAO and subsequent declines in adult biomass, our findings imply that observed current NAO conditions can be used in stock forecasts, providing lead time for adaptive policy. More broadly, our approach can inform forecasting efforts for other fish populations strongly affected by natural and anthropogenic climatic variation

Meat Managers' Expectations Regarding Marketing of Irradiated Red Meats

The objective of this study is to assess meat managers' expectations about impact of the recent regulatory approval of irradiated raw meat and meat products on marketing decisions and plans by supermarkets and grocery meat retailers. Forty managers of meat departments were interviewed in person to obtain the information for the study. While many of the meat managers believed that irradiation would help increase shelf life and reduce spoilage, they were less optimistic about consumers being willing to pay a higher price for the irradiated product than the non-irradiated product.Agribusiness,

RETAIL MEAT MANAGERS' PROFITABILITY EXPECTATIONS FOR IRRADIATED RED MEATS

This paper uses data from 40 personal interviews with meat department managers at grocery stores and supermarkets to investigate managers' expectations regarding the profitability potential of irradiated red meats. The study models managers' profitability expectations as function of many attributes and factors, such as the meat manager's or store's characteristics, how familiar the meat manager is with irradiation, and opinions held by the manager regarding irradiation's benefits consumer acceptance. The study also examines how profitability expectations may influence the expected timing of adoption by the manager's retail store, the projected percentage of red meats eventually allocated to irradiated red meats, and merchandising strategies.Demand and Price Analysis,

REVENUE IMPACTS OF MPP BRANDED FUNDS: A FIRM LEVEL ANALYSIS

The USDA recently redirected the Market Access Program (MAP) to allocate all branded products export promotion funds to small firms and cooperatives. The redirection was, in part, a response to reports by the General Accounting Office that were critical of past allocations of export promotion funds to large, experienced exporters. This study uses a firm level analysis to examine firms' effectiveness in using Market Promotion Program (MPP, which is now the MAP) funds to increase revenues. Whereas point estimates suggested that smaller firms were more effective in translating MPP funds into increased revenue than larger firms, these point estimates for small firms were statistically indistinguishable from zero. In contrast, large firms showed an increase in revenue of greater than one dollar for every dollar of MPP funds. Further, the revenue increase was statistically significant. Thus, the firm level analysis supports neither the GAO hypotheses nor the recent program changes.export promotion programs, export sales, export revenues, Market Promotion Program, firm-level analysis, joint estimation, Financial Economics,

Revenue Impacts of MPP Branded Funds: A Firm-Level Analysis

The USDA's Market Access Program (formerly Market Promotion Program) recently underwent a major change to redirect all branded products export promotion funds to small domestic firms and cooperatives. The redirection responded to criticisms by the General Accounting Office of past allocations of branded products export promotion funds to large, experienced exporters. This study uses a firm-level analysis to examine whether firm size and export experience matter in how effectively firms use the promotion funds to increase their revenues. The results support neither the GAO criticisms nor the recent program redirection.International Relations/Trade,

Effects of Demographics and Attitudes on WTP for Fuel Import Reductions through Ethanol Purchases

imported fuel, willingness to pay, Marketing,

A PROBIT MODEL ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING CONSUMPTION OF FRESH SWEET CORN IN MAJOR U.S. MARKETS

In an effort to more effectively utilize its resources to promote fresh sweet corn, the Fresh Supersweet Corn Council contracted with the Florida Agricultural Market Research Center (FAMRC) of the University of Florida to conduct a comprehensive consumer survey. The consumer survey was designed to investigate consumer preferences, attitudes, and behavior regarding the purchase and consumption of fresh sweet corn. A total of 1,031 consumer telephone interviews were conducted in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia between September 7 and November 3, 2001. Respondents' revealed very limited consumption in the winter, spring, and fall seasons and consumers' perceptions that sweet corn is not available in these seasons. Probit models are estimated to determine effects of seasonalityConsumer/Household Economics,

An Evaluation of Tennessee Soybean Growers’ Views on a New Generation Cooperative to Produce Biodiesel

Substituting petroleum diesel with biodiesel could decrease air emissions, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and help expand markets for U.S. farmers. Soybean producers can potentially capture this value-added by forward integrating the processing of soybeans into biodiesel via a New Generation Cooperative (NGC). Using probit analysis, this study examines factors influencing soybean producers’ willingness to participate in an NGC to produce biodiesel. Tobit analysis is used to examine the factors influencing the number of shares the soybean producer would be willing to purchase. Survey results indicate that over 70% of the soybean producers in the study group are interested in investing in an NGC to produce biodiesel. Among those producers willing to participate, the average number of shares they would purchase was just under 3,460.biodiesel, New Generation Cooperative, probit analysis, soybean producers, tobit analysis, Marketing, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,