Christos Karelakis

Assessing Exports Market Dynamics: The Case of Greek Wine Exports

Abstract Competitiveness in international wine markets has intensified during the recent years. The dynamic and revitalized presence of non-European producers (e.g. Australia, Chile, South Africa, USA), who have seen their market shares rising rapidly and the subsequent reduction in the market shares of traditional European producers (e.g. France, Italy, Greece) alongside a slight decrease of wine consumption worldwide, have shaped new trends for wine markets internationally and contemporary challenges for the traditional European wine exporters. The aim of the present study is to investigate the determinants of the Greek wine exports and to assess its competitiveness in the European market. Primary data regarding wine trade has been collected for the period of 2004-2011, referring to four main European producer countries, namely Greece, France, Germany and Bulgaria. A gravity equation model has been estimated in order to examine the factors that determine wine exports and wine exports competitiveness among those countries. The results offer a clear picture of the wine trade dynamics in the EU market, indicating as key determinants for its competitiveness the size of each countrys economy, the geographical distance from other EU countries, the presence of common borders or common language among trading nations as well as the size of per capita wine consumption to the European wine markets.

Mapping the Rural Problem and Development: What do Greek Landowners Think?☆

Abstract The adoption of alternative farming practices is regenerates production methods towards new directions, while comprises a new development path for less favoured areas (LFAs). Engaging in off-farm income generation activities can create new standards for employment, new professions and new midd le-c lass employees that will support development despite the downturn in trad itional agricultural activities. The present study examines the attitudes and perceptions of landowners regarding various options for rural development and the existence of alternative prospects for enhancing primary production, family income and, consequently, quality of life. Primary data were gathered through personally administered interviews (using a structured questionnaire) in the prefectures of Rodopi and Evros that were analyzed through multivariate data analysis methods. The results indicate the non-existence of significant d ifferences between the two regions. The majority of respondents consider the state and political parties as being responsible for environmental problems and they argue that future regional development may depend on agriculture and livestock production. Furthermore, most of them wish to engage in alternative crops like truffle, pomegranate and dogwood and the reasons behind such a decision are the competitive profile of and increased demand for such products, along with state subsidies.

Farmers’ perceptions and attitudes towards the development of the sheep and goat sector in the Greek region of Evros

The present study endeavors to investigate the attitudes, opinions and perceptions of livestock farmers regarding the main problems they face and confine the development of livestock in the Greek region of Evros. Primary data were collected through a quantitative survey (structured questionnaire) with livestock farmers in the region. The analysis of the survey data was carried out with the use of descriptive statistics, Friedman’s test and factor analysis. The results indicate that strategies for livestock development in the region should take into account the great dissatisfaction that exists towards public authorities and the level of satisfaction as regards the non-governmental bodies. Furthermore, the economic objectives are of primary importance for livestock farmers, whereas they stress their interest in training and know-how. Particularly on issues pertaining to dairy livestock management, improving sanitation conditions and enhancing the quality, digestibility and production of animal feed.

Workers in a Poultry Cooperative: A Study on Their Job Satisfaction

Poultry sector in Balkan countries presents a significant dynamic in both terms of consumption and production. Even if small-scale poultry production in farmers’ backyards is very common in all Balkan countries, modern and industrialized poultry farming facilities have been developed to confront the increasing demand for poultry products. On the other hand, there are many studies that associate business performance to job satisfaction for employees and workers. Thus, it is worth examining job satisfaction and the factors that determine the derived satisfaction as a first step to study poultry sector and its contribution to food and beverage sector. In this study job satisfaction is examined for workers in a Greek poultry cooperative, since agricultural poultry cooperatives in Greece perform better than other sectors. In addition, the largest agricultural cooperative in Greece is a poultry cooperative that has a 30% market share. A similar situation is observed for many Balkan countries.

Investigating Farmer’s Perceptions of Adopting Alternative Farming Systems

Organic and integrated agriculture are recently developed alternative farming systems aimed at controlling environmental impacts and assuring the quality of agricultural products. Here we aim to: (1) describe the characteristics of certified of organic and integrated farms; and (2) analyze the factors affecting the farmers’ decision to implement either organic, integrated or conventional farming. The survey was based on a multinomial analysis applied to data obtained from a survey of farmers (structured questionnaire) in Greece. The findings confirmed that the decision to opt for one of three forms of agriculture was based on both the farms’ characteristics and the farmer’s attitudes.

Market and Economic Development in Bulgaria

The present paper tests empirically the existence of a causal relationship between the economic growth and the development in the banking and stock market in ex transition economies, recently member states of the EU and especially the case of Bulgaria. The Johansen cointegration test indicated a sole relationship between the banking sector, the stock market and the economic growth, while the application of the Granger causality/block exogeneity test indicated a bilateral relationship between the economic growth and the development in the stock market, as well as between the economic growth and the development in banking sector. Finally, no casual relationship was confirmed between the development in credit and stock market.

Validity of PPP for Producer Meat Prices in EU; Some Evidence☆

Abstract Market integration and the introduction of single currency has arisen the issue of the validity of the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) hypothesis in EU within the last few decades. In most cases the surveys involve consumer prices and in particular the consumer price indices for the whole economy. Though, a few surveys focus on commodity prices and even less to producer prices. The present survey makes an effort to examine the behaviour of the real exchange rates based on producer meat prices for different EU countries. The role of CAP seems to be pivotal in our results, since no methodology employed could confirm stationarity and consequently, a mean reverting behaviour to a steady state for our data.

A path analysis approach in investigating the performance of the Greek fisheries market

Abstract The present study attempts to empirically investigate the main factors affecting market performance in the Greek fisheries industry, through the implementation of the Structure–Conduct and Performance methodological framework. Primary data were collected from Greek fisheries firms through personal interviews and analyzed embodying the path analysis modeling approach. Two possible relationships have been investigated: the causal relationship of industry structure on firm conduct and the causal relationship of industry structure and firm conduct, on market performance. Results reveal that firm conduct is influenced by industry structure and both affect either directly or indirectly the market performance. Specifically, the most important determinants directly affecting the market performance are quality assurance and competitive advantage, while the international competition and the Common Fisheries Policy Measures cause indirect effects. Regarding the estimations of the total effects, findings demonstrate that the industry structure has greater impact on market performance, than the firm conduct.