ECONOMIA DEL SISTEMA AGROALIMENTARE

Objectives

Teaching proposes the fundamental rules of the economic system in the process of resource allocation; aims to provide students with knowledge of economic logic and the conceptual foundations necessary for understanding the main supply chains of the agrifood system.

To develop knowledge of the economic, policy and institutional framework for the agrifood system, defined at the international, European and national/regional levels.

1.      Knowledge and understanding: The teaching aims to provide the student with the keys to adequate knowledge and understanding of both the elements of agrifood economics and the agrifood system as a whole. The functioning and characteristics of the main markets for agrifood products and related activities will also be addressed

2.      Applying knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide students with the tools to understand the concepts of sector, supply chain, branch, and agribusiness system with special reference to current trends and expected challenges. Students should be able to dialogue and interact with stakeholders in the agri-food system; be familiar with the main theoretical models developed within the discipline of economics, for the study of the agricultural sector and the agri-food system, so as to understand their basic concepts, elaborate them and apply them to concrete cases (in business, institutional and research contexts); be familiar with the economic and institutional framework defined by the European Union for the agri-food system.

3.      Making judgements: By the end of the course, students should have acquired a good ability to analyze the topics covered and to make a critical evaluation of the policies and strategies proposed to address the main problems of the agri-food system. Students will acquire the ability to produce and present papers/reports on the supply chain or on specific topics related to the course program.

4.      Communication skills: Students will be expected to be able to communicate the concepts and knowledge learned clearly, precisely and with appropriate vocabulary and to connect in unitary and integrated patterns the knowledge acquired during the Course.

5.      Learning skills: Students are expected to have acquired the ability to pursue subsequent study paths and/or acquire new knowledge, skills and abilities through professional and work experiences, within organizations operating in the agribusiness system and its environment.

The course does not require prerequisites

The agribusiness system

The analysis of the structure and production changes of the agrifood system (SAA)

The market for agrifood products and the behavior of socio-economic agents

The evolution of food consumption patterns

Characteristics and organization of the agribusiness system: supply chain; vertical and horizontal integration processes

Analysis of the structure, conduct and performance of supply chains

The advent of modern distribution; differentiation of large-scale retail; private label products

The strategic behaviors of enterprises; coordination among enterprises in the agribusiness system

Regulation and policies for the agrifood system

The regulation of agrifood trade at the international level

Policies for the agrifood system

·         Ferretti F., Messori F. (2010) Economia del mercato dei prodotti agroalimentari, Il Sole 24 Ore Edagricole

·         Malassis, Ghersi – (1995) Introduzione all'economia agroalimentare. il Mulino.

·         Other material will be made available by the lecturer

The verification of learning involves the performance of at least one written test during the course.

The final examination is oral. The student must answer at least two/three oral questions on all parts of the syllabus, with reference to the recommended texts.

The student will have to demonstrate that he/she is able to express him/herself with an adequate vocabulary, that he/she is able to carry out a critical analysis of the topics dealt with and of the policies proposed to deal with the main problems of the agri-food system.

Introductory elements of agribusiness economics,

Organization of the agribusiness system,

The agribusiness market

Production chains

Agribusiness economics and policies.