Structural and Economic Overview of the Italian Agri-food System: A Focus on Food Prices

An analysis of the main items characterizing the agri-food system highlights the existence of a strong demand for a politically-correct decisional process. This paper analyzes the value of the agri-food sector at national level in terms of Gross Domestic Product, Value Added at basic and current prices (ISTAT), comparing data with the EU level (Eurostat). Farms’ structure and production are analyzed in order to highlight the current situation and future development of the agri-food sector. After an overview of the main structural characteristics of farms, the study focuses on a direct survey (FADN/RICA sample): in order to collect specific data an “ad hoc” questionnaire was drawn up to identify farm characteristics, productive potential and main market regulatory mechanisms. With the objective of highlighting the farmers’ point of view, a case study on an Italian region is presented to evaluate three main topics: a) sales prices: main factors occurring in the price fixing phase; b) distribution channels and commodities prices: perception of strength in terms of trade agreement; c) rules and checks: actions to enhance and increase price transparency through supply chain rings.Agri-food System, Farms, Market, Prices., Agricultural and Food Policy,

The economic value of olive plantation in rural areas. A study on a hill region between Italy and Slovenia

This study was undertaken with the primary purpose of assessing the welfare gain to local residents resulting from olive trees. A secondary but important aim was to underline the multifunctional role of olive farming. In fact, we know that olive plantation has potentially socially benefits. In particular, it has potentially a lot of positive social effects in rural areas depending on plantation characteristics and farming practices. Therefore, the first section of this paper reviews the main features connected to the multifunctional role of olive farming. Multifunctional role of olive farming is well known in the EU, but it is still needed the institutional intervention in favour of farmers, due to the structural difficulties of olive production sector. Later sections concentrate on a survey carried out in order to estimate the economic value of the rural landscape, focusing in particular on olive trees in a hill region between Italy and Slovenia. From the conducted survey we gauged citizens’ WTP to introduce olive trees in the landscape. Survey data was collected by means of questionnaires. We applied the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) in order to assess the citizens’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) for specific rural landscape features. The paper ends with some conclusions about the positive results obtained in olive plantation valuation questions.olive plantation, multifunctionality, willingness to pay, rural landscape valuation, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Organic vs local claims: substitutes or complements for wine consumers? A marketing analysis with a discrete choice experiment

This study aims to understand people's preferences concerning five different extrinsic characteristics of wine and among them organic production. Consumers' preferences were assessed by means of a choice experiment on a sample of people living in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (north-eastern Italy). The wines considered in the hypothetical market were differentiated considering the area of origin, landscape features, production method (organic or conventional), wine denomination of origin label and price. According to our results, denomination of origin labelling is the most important factor considered by all respondents. More than one quarter of the sample is interested in purchasing organic wine and willing to pay more for it. In this respect, organic production combined with a good communication strategy in order to increase the knowledge about its benefits can be a good marketing diversification strategy. Therefore, organic production seems to be a necessary (for at least 27% of people) but not sufficient condition in characterizing wine quality: it should be supported by an appropriate promotion of the product characteristics

Assessment of the Sustainable Level of Vending Machine Products in an Italian University

The aim of the analysis is to assess whether vending machines placed in a university context provide not only healthy but also environmentally and socially sustainable food products. Content analysis was performed to evaluate the sustainability of food products by examining the types of sustainability claims (both graphical and textual) found on food packaging. The analysis revealed a significant lack of sustainable food products sold from vending machines. This lack was confirmed by the low quantity of graphical and textual sustainability claims on packaging. Legislative, contractual, and economic issues were identified as the most plausible reasons for the lack of sustainable products. Demonstrating that vending machines do not provide sustainable food is useful for establishing a baseline for the development of subsequent legislative, environmental, behavioral, and product-related interventions in the university context

Financing for sustainable food systems: The role of the vending sector

The agribusiness sector needs substantial funding to initiate an ecological transition involving healthy diets and the creation of local circuits and linkages. One sector that has yet to be studied from this perspective is vending, whose importance is confirmed by its profits, especially in Italy. At present, the vending sector cannot be considered sustainable as it rarely contributes to the development of healthy diets and local economies with low environmental impact. There are cases of products with suitable characteristics that can push the sector towards more sustainable dynamics, but such products often do not achieve the success they deserve for various socioeconomic reasons. Access to financial investment or alternative modes of financing could help small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector overcome these difficulties