Thomas Glauben

Decomposition of Productivity Growth Using Distance Functions: The Case of Dairy Farms in Three European Countries

Within an output distance function framework, the Total Factor Productivity growth index is decomposed into four components (technical change, technical and allocative efficiency, and scale component). We estimate stochastic translog output distance functions using panel data from dairy farms over the period 1991–94 for three European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland). Results indicate that the change in the productivity growth index in Germany (+6%) and Poland (−5%) are mainly dictated by the technical change component. In contrast, the productivity growth index in the Netherlands (+3%) is influenced by allocative efficiency components. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.

Pricing-to-Market versus Residual Demand Elasticity Analysis of Imperfect Competition in Food Exports: Evidence from Germany

This paper examines the exercise of market power by German food and beverage export industries over international markets. Two approaches are used: pricing-to-market (PTM) and residual demand elasticity (RDE). We find that, while in some cases the PTM approach indicates market power, the RDE approach does not. Competitive conduct seems to prevail in these industries. The occurrence of PTM in some cases might be explained by fixed contracts, which are often used in the food and beverage export market.

Schadet oder nützt die Finanzspekulation mit Agrarrohstoffen? — Ein Literaturüberblick zum aktuellen Stand der empirischen Forschung

ZusammenfassungDieser Literaturüberblick wertet 35 Forschungsarbeiten aus, die zwischen 2010 und 2012 veröffentlicht wurden und den Einfluss der Finanzspekulation auf die Agrarrohstoffmärkte empirisch untersuchen: Gemäß aktuellem Erkenntnisstand spricht wenig für die Auffassung, dass die Zunahme der Finanzspekulation in den letzten Jahren (a) das Niveau bzw. (b) die Volatilität der Preise für Agrarrohstoffe hat ansteigen lassen. Hierfür waren vielmehr realwirtschaftliche Faktoren verantwortlich. Deshalb sind die wissenschaftlichen Studien mehrheitlich nicht dafür, sondern dagegen, (c) regulatorische Marktzutrittsbarrieren zu errichten. Insofern ist der zivilgesellschaftliche Alarm zur Finanzspekulation als Fehl-Alarm einzustufen: Wer den Hunger in der Welt wirksam bekämpfen will, muss realwirtschaftlich dafür Sorge tragen, dass das Angebot an Nahrungsmitteln mit der auf absehbare Zeit steigenden Nachfrage Schritt halten kann.AbstractThis literature survey comprises 35 empirical studies, published between 2010 and 2012, which analyze the influence of financial speculation on the markets for agricultural commodities: According to this current state of research, there is little evidence for the point of view that the recent increase in financial speculation has caused (a) the price level or (b) the price volatility in agricultural markets to rise. Rather, fundamental factors are made responsible for this. Therefore, most papers are not in favour but against (c) erecting market barriers by regulation. Against this background, the public alarm, claiming that financial speculation has detrimental effects and should be forbidden, seems to be a false alarm: People who are interested in fighting global hunger should take care of fundamental factors and take appropriate measures in order to keep supply in step with the demand, which is likely to rise in the near future.

Determinants of productivity and efficiency of wheat production in Kazakhstan

Agriculture plays an important role for Kazakhstan not only because of rural employment, but also because of the diversity it brings to its oil dependent economy. A considerable increase in grain exports was achieved during the recent years, however, there still is a large room for increasing productivity and efficiency to boost the agricultural potential of the country further. The government of Kazakhstan has introduced several policy packages in the past to boost productivity and efficiency, however, the impact of these reforms has not been yet analyzed quantitatively. Micro level data collected from 200 farms in northern Kazakhstan in 2015 is used in the analysis, in order to fill this research gap. A mixture of evidences is found in terms of policy effect on productivity and efficiency. The results of the analysis showed that direct subsidy access reduced the efficiency, while access to supply chain infrastructure had the opposite effect and increased the efficiency. Therefore, the study concludes that the government should divert its policy support from direct subsidy payments to the improvement of agricultural infrastructure. This will influence positively not only productivity and efficiency, but also Kazakhstans commitments towards international and regional trade agreements.

Speculation on Agricultural Commodities: A Brief Overview

This short essay on financial speculation with agricultural commodities offers (1) a survey of the real economy factors that caused recent hunger crises, (2) an overview of academic research on the impact of index-based financial speculation on agricultural futures markets, and (3) a discussion of political measures that are appropriate for im-proving global food security. The arguments are supported by numerous graphs.