Andrea Marescotti

Factors Constraining Building Effective and Fair Geographical Indications for Coffee: Insights from a Dominican Case Study

The commodity nature of green coffee is the main cause of the ‘coffee paradox’ (falling producer prices and rising consumer prices). Geographical Indications (GIs) may be an effective ‘decommodifier’ of the coffee market, but many constraints have to be overcome. Based on an analysis of how the characteristics of the coffee production system shape the positions of local stakeholders and, thus, the GI building process, this article identifies some constraining factors that can seriously undermine the capacity the GI has to decommodify the market and attain a fairer distribution of the benefits for local producers.

Why early collective action pays off: evidence from setting Protected Geographical Indications

The registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) under the European Union (EU) legislation requires collective action and considerable efforts borne by multiple actors such as producers, processors, public authorities and research centers. We analyze their efforts, risks and benefits by comparing two EU GI registration processes in Italy and Austria, namely the Sorana bean Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Perry from Mostviertel PGI. Results from the institutional and transaction costs analysis suggest that intensive interaction for solving conflicting interests, negotiating quality standards and defining common rules might pay off in indirect benefits and reduced risks. In particular, an inclusion of diverse and heterogeneous interest groups and a high degree of direct enterprise participation along the GI application process (as observed in the Italian case) generate benefits such as trust and social cohesion, which then support the actual use of the GI label and a better implementation of associated quality standards. A supportive legal framework with assistance from public authorities can back up the community of producers not only in technical aspects, but also as mediators when conflicts seem to be difficult to solve. As there seems to be a positive relationship between the intensity and effectiveness of collective action and the likelihood of achieving broadly accepted standards and social cohesion needed for successful GI implementation, the question for future research would not be how to avoid collective efforts but how to effectively organize the interaction among heterogeneous producer groups.

L’utilizzo degli standard privati di qualità nella gdo italiana. Il caso dello standard GlobalG.A.P.

Voluntary standards have gained in importance all over the world. The choice to set-up voluntary standards and their consequent widespread application came from the private stakeholders’ need to gain the trust and increase the security on the part of consumers and agro-food actors. In particular, it was a result of the negative effects caused by several food scares and the public’s difficulty in reacting promptly and efficiently to agro-food changes. Since the late 1980s, this process has been growing significantly. As a result, the setting-up of significant numbers of standards and the wide-range they cover has mirrored an ongoing transformation in food safety and food quality management among international agro-food chains. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the reasons for the wide diffusion of private standards schemes within the Italian retail market as well as obstacles it faces through the study of the Global-Gap standards case. Global-Gap is a private sector body that proposes voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural production processes around the world. Unlike other standards, Global-Gap has succeeded in establishing itself as a leader, both in Europe and all around the world. Nonetheless, Global-Gap’s geographical distribution is not homogeneous either across territories or in firms’ business strategies. The survey helped to explain the particular Italian paradox, which, on the one hand, shows a large number of farms implementing the Global-Gap standard, but, on the other hand, its relatively infrequent use by retailers operating in Italy when accrediting upstream actors. North European retailers, in contrast, adopt this standard as a sort of passkey for fruit and vegetable producers.

Why early collective action pays off: evidence from setting Protected Geographical Indications – CORRIGENDUM

The registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) under the European Union (EU) legislation requires collective action and considerable efforts borne by multiple actors such as producers, processors, public authorities and research centers. We analyze their efforts, risks and benefits by comparing two EU GI registration processes in Italy and Austria, namely the Sorana bean Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and the Perry from Mostviertel PGI. Results from the institutional and transaction costs analysis suggest that intensive interaction for solving conflicting interests, negotiating quality standards and defining common rules might pay off in indirect benefits and reduced risks. In particular, an inclusion of diverse and heterogeneous interest groups and a high degree of direct enterprise participation along the GI application process (as observed in the Italian case) generate benefits such as trust and social cohesion, which then support the actual use of the GI label and a better implementation of associated quality standards. A supportive legal framework with assistance from public authorities can back up the community of producers not only in technical aspects, but also as mediators when conflicts seem to be difficult to solve. As there seems to be a positive relationship between the intensity and effectiveness of collective action and the likelihood of achieving broadly accepted standards and social cohesion needed for successful GI implementation, the question for future research would not be how to avoid collective efforts but how to effectively organize the interaction among heterogeneous producer groups.

Old World Case Study: The Role of Protected Geographical Indications to Foster Rural Development Dynamics: The Case of Sorana Bean PGI

The protection of Geographical Indications is an issue of growing importance all over the world, as it offers local producers a tool to differentiate their products on the market and escape price competition. In the European Union the legal protection of Geographical Indications dates back to 1992, and aims at both preventing misuses and abuses of brand names on the market fostering fair competition among producers and transparent and complete information to consumers, and supporting rural development dynamics, especially in marginal areas. In this chapter, after describing the many and multifaceted effects the protection of the Geographical Indications may exert on the economic, social, and environmental spheres, the case study of the Sorana Bean PGI in Tuscany (Italy) will be analyzed. The case is related to a very small production system, where a few small farms are using the protected Geographical Indication to market their product. The case shows that the protection granted by the European Union, besides supporting farmers’ income, exerts important economic and social effects on the territory, thus supporting rural development in a marginal area.

The role of traditional products in the valorisation of marginal rural areas: the case of Iris Pallida.

Nowadays the problem of valorisation of marginal rural areas in Europe is significant. In Italy some traditional agricultural crops with high added value may play an important role for the environmental preservation and social and economic development of some marginal rural areas. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the problems and potential of developing traditional crops in marginal rural areas, through their valorisation as typical products. Two main research questions are addressed: Are there specific problems for traditional products in marginal rural areas? In particular, is there a problem of loss of power and appropriation of value upstream the chain? The paper presents a case study analysis on the Iris Pallida supply chain. Iris Pallida is a minor crop, whose rhizome is used by the international fragrance industry. The fieldwork carried out has allowed to point out that the problem of power and appropriation is relevant and should be addressed by strengthening collective action and enhancing horizontal and vertical coordination. Specific problems in the role of traditional products in marginal rural areas also emerge. These are mainly connected to the structure of farms, to the conflicting strategies and to the access to information and technical support. The consequence is a higher need for coordination, for public support and for integrated rural development actions such us structural consolidation, research and development, marketing and tourism promotion.

Coordination Mechanisms in the Agro-industrial System. The Case of High-Oleic Sunflower

Empirical evidence shows how, even within the agro-industrial system, the relationship between agriculture and the food-processing industry is regulated to a lesser extent on the basis of pure market forms.