Chair: International Food Economics and Rural Development

Research Area:
Economics of High-Value Agricultural Supply Chains

In this research area, the economics of high-value agricultural supply chains and implications for rural development are analyzed. The demand for high-value products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, livestock products) is rising, and food safety and quality issues gain in importance. This holds true for international markets, but also within the developing countries induced by growing urban middle classes. Projects we are conducting analyze consumer preferences, market trends, and institutional responses in domestic and export supply chains, including contract agriculture, supermarket procurement, and other forms of vertical integration. The major objective is to identify strategies how to link small farms to these newly emerging supply chains, so that the additional value generated can contribute to pro-poor rural development. Methodologically, different statistical and econometric techniques are employed, using primary data collected through farm, household, and institutional surveys.

Concrete Projects: