Beyond “mainstream” and “alternative” in organic food supply chains

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the supply chains for organic milk, apples and pasta in eight European countries and how added value is distributed among market players.Design/methodology/approachUsing secondary data and expert interviews, a market overview for the three products is provided as the basis of a more detailed analysis of the added value in 12 organic supply chain examples. For this, interviews with market players and an “added value calculator” tool are employed.FindingsThe farm gate and retail price of organic products is higher than conventional. Supermarkets are the main outlet for organic milk and apples in the countries studied, whereas the situation for organic pasta is varied, suggesting that the use of different sale channels is influenced by the food product. The farmers’ share of added value ranges between 3 and 65 per cent of the added value created in the organic supply chains analysed. Organic offers opportunities to increase the farmers’ share of added value both in supermarkets and alternative sale channels, by developing collaboration, physical infrastructures for organic and integrating operations upstream of the chain.Research limitations/implicationsWhile more research is needed into a larger number of chains, this paper indicates that there are dynamics and features at supply chain level, such as the distribution of added value and the target markets used, that cannot be interpreted according to the binary division between “mainstream” and “alternative” organic suggested by the conventionalisation hypothesis.Originality/valueThe distribution of added value for existing supply chains in eight European countries is calculated by using an effective added value calculator tool.

Factors Affecting the Use of Organic Seed by Organic Farmers in Europe

“…The use of organic seed is higher on farms selling directly to consumers than on farms selling to supermarkets, which is in line with two previous French studies in the vegetable sector [7,8]. This poses a real challenge to the organic sector, as most of the organic food in Europe is sold through supermarkets [43,44]: if derogations for the use of untreated non-organic seed are to be phased out by 2036, the issue of seed use needs to be more widely addressed, beyond the short and specialised organic supply chains. Our findings also indicate that larger and more recently converted farms tend to use organic seed to a lesser extent than established organic farms.…”

Hybrid food networks and sustainability transitions: Shared and contested values and practices in food relocalisation and resocialisation

“…For example, initiatives originating from conventional actors may involve values or practices coherent with those of AFNs, such as conventional producers formerly associated with supermarket chains turning to local retailers (O'Neill, 2014) or mainstream retailers increasing their offer of local and/or organic products out of commitments to ethical, local and sustainable sourcing practices (Blake et al., 2010; Zwart & Wertheim‐Heck, 2021). Conversely, alternative actors may also operate according to conventional logics, at least partially (Matacena & Corvo, 2019; Orsini et al., 2019; Tregear, 2011).…”

Does organic means health for consumers? Selected issues of organic food market

“…Review of some food supply chains (Kantamaturapoj and Marshall, 2020) proves that supermarkets have become a major distribution channel for organic products in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Australia and Brazil. However, some research results can suggest that the use of different sale channels is influenced by the food product (Orsini et al , 2019). Organic food market includes online retail channels creating short supply chains and ensuring access to local and global markets and new market segments, which are absent from offline markets (Lyubenov, 2020).…”