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Growth in population and income, as well as urbanisation, are contributing to the growing consumption of high-value foods in developing countries. However, public and private investments targeting high-value agricultural markets are constrained by limited information on the quality dimensions of the market, the nature of traditional retail formats, and consumer segmentation. This paper presents a simple and appropriate methodology to provide such information, and applies it in Tanzania to animal-sourced foods. It features a rapid survey, which is then aligned with nationally representative survey data. The results show that Tanzanian consumers demand, and are anticipated to continue demanding, relatively good-quality animal products but in rather low-valued product forms. Consumer segments are differentiated by level of wealth and by choice of retail format and retail product form, rather than by quality per se.

Enhancing access to output markets for smallholder farmers is recognized as an effective tool for poverty reduction: the more smallholders produce and sell to the market, the higher their income and overall livelihoods. The underlying assumption, which is rarely spelled-out, is that market access represents a major incentive for smallholders to shift their production objective from subsistence to commercial, i.e. to set up sustainable businesses, be they either small or large, around their agricultural assets. This paper relies on the Uganda 2011/12 National Panel Survey (NPS) to investigate the linkages between access to market and dairy farmers’ self-reported subsistence and commercial production objectives. Market access, including both market participation and intensity of participation, is found to depend on a variety of observable farmers’ characteristics. Market participation, however, does also depend on whether the farmer considers himself or herself as commercially-oriented. There are thus some unobservable characteristics, such as smallholder’s risk attitude and willingness to invest in dairy, that influence farmer’s decision to participate in markets, and that are difficult to capture using traditional household and farm level data. This makes it challenging for decision-makers to design and implement policies that utilize markets as a tool out of poverty.

This study revisits the utility of gravity models in the analysis of the principal determinants of exports. Traditional cross-sectional models are improved by considering the effect of omitted variables and/or the dynamic of trade flows through the use of spatial econometric techniques and panel data specification. This proposal is applied to the Tunisian olive oil exports during the period 2001-2009. The results provide evidence of the inertia found in export volumes, with trade relations anchored in the past likely to continue in the future. Also, we obtain evidence on the existence of a clear similarity in flows between neighbouring importing countries. On the other hand, the results show a positive, significant relationship between the importing country’s income level and imported olive oil volume. The effect of importers’ human development index is positive. The distance between countries has a negative impact on trade flow. On the contrary, sharing a common language increases olive oil trade flows. Finally, trade figures and results reflect a strong dependence of Tunisian olive oil production on precipitations., Este trabajo revisa la utilidad del modelo de gravedad para el análisis de los principales determinantes de la exportación. Se mejoran los modelos tradicionales de corte transversal mediante la consideración de los efectos de las variables omitidas y/o la dinámica de los flujos de comercio, a través del uso de las técnicas de econometría espacial y de especificaciones para datos de panel. Esta propuesta se aplica a las exportaciones de aceite de oliva tunecino durante el periodo 2001-2009. Los resultados muestran evidencia acerca de la inercia encontrada en los volúmenes de exportación, dado que es probable que las relaciones de comercio afianzadas en el pasado continúen en el futuro. También se obtiene evidencia acerca de la existencia de claras similitudes entre los flujos de los países importadores vecinos. Por otra parte, los resultados muestran una relación positiva y significativa entre el nivel de renta del país importador y el volumen de aceite de oliva importado. El efecto del índice de desarrollo humano de los países importadores es positivo. La distancia entre países tiene un efecto negativo sobre el volumen de comercio. Por el contrario, compartir el mismo idioma aumenta el flujo de comercio de aceite de oliva. Finalmente, las cifras de comercio y los resultados reflejan una fuerte dependencia de la producción de aceite de oliva tunecino de las precipitaciones.

Aflatoxin is a human health threat in many developing countries. This study examines Kenyan milk consumers’ behaviour toward aflatoxin by way of choice experiments. Further, the willingness to pay for different types of milk and aflatoxin status awareness was assessed. Five attributes were selected to describe milk products: milk processing technique, fat content, packaging, price and aflatoxin-free certification. Results indicate that awareness of aflatoxin is high, and that consumers are willing to pay a significant premium for milk that is certified as aflatoxin-free. Results also show, however, that the substantial majority does not know how to avoid aflatoxin-contaminated milk. The results indicate a great need for further education and awareness-raising programs throughout the Kenyan dairy value chain, and a potential for market-based solutions to aflatoxin control in milk.

Aflatoxin is a human health threat concern in many developing countries. This study examines Kenyan milk consumers’ behaviour toward aflatoxin by way of choice experiments. Further, willingness to pay for different types of milk and aflatoxin status awareness were assessed. Four attributes were selected to describe milk products: smell, colour, price and aflatoxin-free certification. Results indicate that awareness of aflatoxin is relatively high, and that consumers are willing to pay a significant premium for milk that is certified as aflatoxin-free. Results also show, however, that the substantial majority does not know how to avoid aflatoxin-contaminated milk. The results indicate a great need for further education and awareness-raising programs throughout the Kenyan dairy value chain, and a potential for market-based solutions to aflatoxin control in milk.

This paper presents the results of a rapid consumer survey undertaken in Uganda. The survey aimed at identifying preferred quality and safety attributes, retail forms and retail outlets for major livestock products and by type of consumers. Results of the survey, combined with nationally representative household datasets, allows description of both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the developing market for animal-source foods, which is anticipated to provide major business opportunities for small-scale livestock producers in the short and medium terms.

This paper presents the results of a rapid consumer survey undertaken in Uganda. The survey aimed at identifying preferred quality and safety attributes, retail forms and retail outlets for major livestock products and by type of consumers. Results of the survey, combined with nationally representative household datasets, allows description of both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the developing market for animal-source foods, which is anticipated to provide major business opportunities for small-scale livestock producers in the short and medium terms.

Generation of pro-poor development benefits from upgrading agri-food value chains requires an understanding of markets and transactions, and the actors involved. This paper attempts to characterize pig traders in Uganda, their market linkages, perceptions of potential for value addition by way of valuation of product attributes, and perceptions of constraints. Past analyses of traders in other contexts has not reported robust methods for sampling, nor methods for engagement of traders for data collection. The current paper compares different sources of sample frames, and reports a workshop process for delivery of individual observations on traders. Characterization of traders reveals that many of them are also engaged in retail businesses, and that there is a separation between traders buying and selling piglets, and those dealing with grown pigs only. Market channels used are described. Source of sampling frame was found to affect the survey results obtained, and that this is a logical consequence of the nature of traders identified form different sources, principally their experience in the business. This disaggregation was most evident in the analysis of constraints faced.

L’objectif principal de ce travail est d’analyser l’impact du changement climatique sur la productivité des cultures céréalières dans la région de Béja, située au nord-ouest de la Tunisie. Pour ce faire, des modèles de régression multiple ont été estimés pour trois cultures céréalières (blé dur, blé tendre et orge). Les variables explicatives du rendement utilisées dans l’analyse sont celles d’ordre climatique (précipitations et températures) et le progrès technique. La période d’analyse est de 1980 à 2009. Les estimations des modèles de régression semi-logarithmiques ont montré que les rendements des différentes cultures céréalières dépendaient des variables climatiques et du progrès technique. L’analyse de la projection des effets du changement climatique sur les rendements céréaliers dans la zone d’étude, en utilisant les scénarios du modèle HadCM3, a montré que l’impact est important à l’horizon de 2030. Cet impact sera plus accentué pour le blé tendre. Ainsi, l’encouragement de la recherche en matière d’identification de nouvelles techniques agricoles, la diffusion de variétés tolérantes à la diminution des précipitations, dans les périodes critiques de croissance, et de variétés précoces, font partie des stratégies d’adaptation pour la réduction des effets du changement climatique sur le rendement céréalier à long terme......, This article analyzes the potential impact of climate change on cereal productivity in the Béja region of northwestern Tunisia. Multiple regression models were estimated for the cereal crops durum wheat, bread wheat and barley, using annual data from 1980 to 2009. The yield of each crop was used as the dependent variable, while the explanatory variables were mainly related to the climate (precipitation and temperature) and technological progress. The results show that yield variability is affected by climate and technological progress variables. The projected climate change scenarios predicted by the HadCM3 model will have a significant effect on crop yields by 2030, particularly for bread wheat. Some adaptation strategies that could alleviate climate change effects on cereal crops yields in the long run are the identification of new agricultural practices in this area, the widespread diffusion of varieties that can tolerate rainfall shortage during the critical periods, and the adoption of early maturing varieties.

[EN] This work analyses the Spanish demand for food taking into account the relationship between health and diet. Consequently, a utility function which depends on both food quantities and the level of health reached by consumers is maximized subject to two types of restrictions: a traditional budget constraint and a restriction associated with health production. The solution of the maximisation problem leads to a joint estimation of an equation system with two components, an equation referred to the diet quality and a food demand system. Results indicate that the introduction of the quality of diet in a demand system (in relation to the traditional model which only considers income and prices) modifies income elasticities, becoming greater in the case of healthier food groups. Moreover, an increase in diet quality implies an increase in the valuation of cereals and potatoes and a decrease of oil and meat groups., [ES] En este trabajo se analiza la demanda de alimentos en España considerando la relación existente entre salud y dieta. Se plantea la maximización de una función de utilidad que depende de las cantidades demandadas de los distintos alimentos y del nivel de salud alcanzado, sujeto a dos restricciones: la presupuestaria y la relativa a la función de producción de salud. La solución al problema conduce a la estimación conjunta de un sistema de ecuaciones con dos componentes, una ecuación referida a la calidad de la dieta y un sistema de demanda de alimentos. Los resultados obtenidos indican, por un lado, que la introducción de la calidad de la dieta en un sistema de demanda (frente a un modelo que incluya únicamente renta y precios) modifica las elasticidades renta, aumentando en el caso de los productos más saludables. Por otro lado, se pone de manifiesto que un aumento en el nivel de calidad de la dieta conlleva un aumento en la valoración de los cereales y las patatas y una disminución en el grupo de aceites y carnes, principalmente., Los autores agradecen las sugerencias recibidas del profesor Agustín Ariño así como la financiación recibida a través del proyecto con código SEJ2006-02328/ECON del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia del Gobierno de España. Los autores quieren agradecer también los comentarios realizados por dos revisores anónimos que contribuyen a mejorar substancialmente el contenido y la presentación de este artículo. Los autores asumen la total responsabilidad de cualquier error adicional que contenga el presente trabajo.

This study investigates firm level technical efficiency of production and its determinants in a sample of 137 olive oil manufacturing firms in Tunisia using a stochastic frontier production model applied to cross-section data. Results indicate that technical efficiency of production in the sample of olive oil manufacturing firms investigated ranges from a minimum of 47.1% to a maximum 99.5% with an average technical efficiency estimate of 86.5%. This implies olive oil manufacturing firms in Tunisia can increase their production on average by 13.5% through more efficient use of technology and production inputs. The fact that 93 firms represented more than 64.4% of the sample hit more than 80% of technical efficiency score implies the efficacy of modernization programme implemented in Tunisia. The estimated coefficients in the technical inefficiency effects model indicate that level of technology, frequent use of computer and internet, the owner’s age, the share of skilled labour, the employment of management staff, and the input sourcing by the own production have a significant and positive effect on technical efficiency. On the other hand, negative relationships are found between technical efficiency and entrepreneur dummy variable, continuous relationship with the suppliers in the same district, and with the private sector and trader as customers. These results imply that the adoption of new technology, accumulation of skill and knowledge as well as stable input sourcing contribute to improve the technical efficiency of olive oil manufacturing.

Many commentators have claimed that farm subsidies have contributed significantly to the “obesity epidemic” by making fattening foods relatively cheap and abundant and, symmetrically, that taxing “unhealthy” commodities or subsidizing “healthy” commodities would contribute to reducing obesity rates. This paper makes three contributions. First, we review evidence from the literature on the impacts on food consumption and obesity resulting from subsidies applied in the past to production or consumption of farm commodities. Second, we develop and present new arguments and preliminary evidence on the impacts of past government investments in agricultural R&D on food consumption and obesity—through research-induced increases in agricultural productivity and the consequences for prices, production, and consumption of farm commodities. Third, we consider and compare the economic efficiency of hypothetical agricultural research policies (changing the orientation of agricultural research investments) versus hypothetical agricultural commodity subsidies and taxes as alternative mechanisms for encouraging consumption of healthy food or discouraging consumption of unhealthy food, or both.

During the last two decades, olive oil consumption in Japan is showing an increasing trend due to dietary and health concerns. Traditional olive oil producer and exporter countries such as Italy, Spain and Tunisia have interest to reinforce and to increase their penetration in the Japanese market. This study examines Japanese olive oil consumer behaviour by the use of the conjoint analysis technique. Five attributes have been chosen to design the experiment: region of origin, price, olive oil type, taste and colour. Two models have been estimated where the price variable was introduced in its discrete form in the first model and in its linear and quadratic from in the second model. In a second step, consumer segmentation was undertaken based on consumption frequencies. Two groups have been identified: “heavy consumers” and “light or potential consumers”. The main results indicate the importance of the selected variables in Japanese olive oil consumer' choice. Olive oil with Mediterranean or Tunisian origin has higher probabilities to be chosen than Italian or Spanish one. Japanese consumers prefer a green with bland taste olive oil. Concerning olive oil type, results indicate that refined olive oil has more probability to be chosen than virgin or extra-virgin one, indicating low awareness of Japanese consumers about olive oil. The price variable estimates have shown a convex utility curve indicating a decrease of consumers’ utility when price increases till a maximum price. Above that price, consumers’ utility increase indicating in that case that olive oil is considered as a luxurious product. Differences as well as similarities have been detected among consumer segments.

RESUMEN - En este trabajo se analiza la demanda de alimentos en España considerando la relación existente entre salud y dieta. Se plantea la maximización de una función de utilidad que depende de las cantidades demandadas de los distintos alimentos y del nivel de salud alcanzado, sujeto a dos restricciones: la presupuestaria y la relativa a la función de producción de salud. La solución al problema conduce a la estimación conjunta de un sistema de ecuaciones con dos componentes, una ecuación referida a la calidad de la dieta y un sistema de demanda de alimentos. Los resultados obtenidos indican, por un lado, que la introducción de la calidad de la dieta en un sistema de demanda (frente a un modelo que incluya únicamente renta y precios) modifica las elasticidades renta, aumentando en el caso de los productos más saludables. Por otro lado, se pone de manifiesto que un aumento en el nivel de calidad de la dieta conlleva un aumento en la valoración de los cereales y las patatas y una disminución en el grupo de aceites y carnes, principalmente.