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Traditional Varieties for Local Markets: A Sustainable Proposal for Agricultural SMEs

Author

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  • Cristian Pérez-Caselles

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312 Orihuela, Spain
    Department of Plant Breeding, CEBAS-CSIC, 30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • Margarita Brugarolas

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312 Orihuela, Spain)

  • Laura Martínez-Carrasco

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, 03312 Orihuela, Spain)

Abstract

Agricultural activity has changed significantly in recent years. There is a clear trend towards monoculture and the replacement of traditional crops for others which are more productive and achieve better economic results. These factors have two fundamental consequences: on the one hand, the abandonment of agricultural activity, with the subsequent loss of rurality; on the other hand, a negative effect on the maintenance of biodiversity, because traditional varieties disappear. In this context, this paper analyses the situation of consumers and farmers of a traditional crop in the southeast of Spain: the tomato. In order to understand the current situation and the forecasted future, a choice experiment was conducted on 217 tomato consumers. Furthermore, 40 tomato farmers of this area underwent an in-depth interview. On the one hand, analysis of the consumer study established a potential segment of the population that prefers traditional varieties due to their high organoleptic properties. Meanwhile, the farmer study revealed a segment of this population that is willing to produce these types of crops. Therefore, the possibility that a certain sector of producers cultivates traditional varieties is suggested, and for these varieties to be aimed at a market niche that values them positively, making the activity of Small and Medium Enterprises (agricultural SMEs) profitable. This would improve the sustainability of the rural territory and would strengthen the preservation of genetic heritage.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristian Pérez-Caselles & Margarita Brugarolas & Laura Martínez-Carrasco, 2020. "Traditional Varieties for Local Markets: A Sustainable Proposal for Agricultural SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4517-:d:366426
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    1. Rodolfo Bernabéu & Margarita Brugarolas & Laura Martínez-Carrasco & Roberto Nieto-Villegas & Adrián Rabadán, 2023. "The Price of Organic Foods as a Limiting Factor of the European Green Deal: The Case of Tomatoes in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Maria Teresa Trentinaglia De Daverio & Teresina Mancuso & Massimo Peri & Lucia Baldi, 2020. "How Does Consumers’ Care for Origin Shape Their Behavioural Gap for Environmentally Friendly Products?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Georgiana-Raluca Ladaru & Diana Maria Ilie & Maria Claudia Diaconeasa & Ionut Laurentiu Petre & Florian Marin & Valentin Lazar, 2020. "Influencing Factors of a Sustainable Vegetable Choice. The Romanian Consumers’ Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Erin Percival Carter & Stephanie Welcomer, 2021. "Designing and Distinguishing Meaningful Artisan Food Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, July.

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