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Dynamics of European agricultural productivity: An analysis of regional convergence

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  • Maria Carmen Cuerva

    (School of Economics, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza de la Universidad 2, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

Abstract

This paper analyses the evolution of the European agricultural productivity distribution under the hypothesis of persistent differences in productivity levels over time. We use the Cambridge Econometrics European Regional Database and work on a sample of 125 EU-15 regions from 1985 to 2004. Density functions, transition matrices and stochastic kernels are combined to study the dynamics of the productivity distribution. We observe no evidence of strong productivity convergence. Regional disparities across European agricultures are large and persistent. The highest levels of persistence are concentrated in both extremes of the productivity distribution. Additionally, we propose a regional typology on the basis of different structural patterns according to the economic and territorial dimension of the holdings, the characteristics of the labour force and the productive specialization. The main result is that the diversity of patterns conditions productivity and hinders sectoral convergence. Divergence in agricultural productivity will continue if differences in structural patterns persist in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Carmen Cuerva, 2011. "Dynamics of European agricultural productivity: An analysis of regional convergence," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 92(3), pages 237-258.
    • Handle: RePEc:rae:jourae:v:92:y:2011:i:3:p:237-258
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Anna Nowak & Anna Kobiałka & Artur Krukowski, 2021. "Significance of Agriculture for Bioeconomy in the Member States of the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Karolina Pawlak & Walenty Poczta, 2020. "Agricultural Resources and their Productivity: A Transatlantic Perspective," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 1), pages 18-49.
    5. Mihaela KRUZSLICIKA, 2021. "Factor Productivity And Influence On The Degree Of Convergence In The Cereal Sector," Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Institute of Agricultural Economics, vol. 18(2), pages 285-299.
    6. Karolina Pawlak & Luboš Smutka & Pavel Kotyza, 2021. "Agricultural Potential of the EU Countries: How Far Are They from the USA?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Renata Matysik-Pejas & Małgorzata Bogusz & Kamila Daniek & Monika Szafrańska & Łukasz Satoła & Andrzej Krasnodębski & Paweł Dziekański, 2023. "An Assessment of the Spatial Diversification of Agriculture in the Conditions of the Circular Economy in European Union Countries," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    agricultural productivity; European regions; convergence; density function; Markov chains; stochastic kernels;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General

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