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An economic and legal assessment of the EU food industry's competitiveness

Author

Listed:
  • Jo H.M. Wijnands

    (Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Harry J. Bremmers

    (Wageningen University, Management Studies, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Bernd M.J. van der Meulen

    (Wageningen University, Food Law, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Krijn J. Poppe

    (Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), 2502 LS The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The objective of this article is to assess the competitiveness of the European food industry from an economic and legal perspective. Knowledge of its present competitiveness and improvement opportunities are lacking. To close this knowledge gap, we measured the competitiveness of eight subsectors, benchmarked them with four leading world economies, assessed the effect of differences in legal requirements, and predicted future developments using scenario analysis. International economics indicators supplemented with data on legal issues from a survey conducted by leading experts were used to measure competitiveness. The results show that the EU food industry's competitiveness is weak. The legal system was positively evaluated compared to the U.S. system, but major improvements are possible. The recommendations are to improve economies of scale, economies of scope, ICT-based supply chain management, and exploit cultural differences through innovation, within a more flexible and streamlined legal framework. [Econlit. Citations:F14, L66; Q13]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Suggested Citation

  • Jo H.M. Wijnands & Harry J. Bremmers & Bernd M.J. van der Meulen & Krijn J. Poppe, 2008. "An economic and legal assessment of the EU food industry's competitiveness," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(4), pages 417-439.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:24:y:2008:i:4:p:417-439
    DOI: 10.1002/agr.20167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Małgorzata Juchniewicz & Katarzyna Łukiewska, 2021. "Diversity of the international competitive performance of the food industry of the European Union member states," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(2), pages 422-437, April.
    2. Jo H.M. Wijnands & Harry J. Bremmers & Bernd M.J. van der Meulen & Krijn J. Poppe, 2011. "Food Legislation and Competitiveness in the EU Food Industry," Chapters, in: Emiel F.M. Wubben (ed.), Institutions and Regulation for Economic Growth?, chapter 5, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Mezera, Josef & Spicka, Jindrich, 2013. "Economic Effects of Investment Support of Adding Value to Food Products," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, March.
    4. Magdalena Kapelko, 2017. "Dynamic versus static inefficiency assessment of the Polish meat‐processing industry in the aftermath of the European Union integration and financial crisis," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 505-521, September.
    5. Zdeňka Náglová & Marie Šimpachová Pechrová, 2019. "Are Wine Producers With Subsidies More Technically Efficient?," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2019(1), pages 1-14.
    6. Jámbor, Attila & Tóth, Andrea Tímea & Kőröshegyi, Domonkos, 2017. "Az agrárexport versenyképessége - a nemzetközi fűszer-kereskedelem esete [Export competitiveness in agriculture: the case of the international spice trade]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(11), pages 1202-1223.
    7. Carraresi, Laura & Banterle, Alessandro, 2015. "Agri-food Competitive Performance in EU Countries: A Fifteen-Year Retrospective," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(2), pages 1-26, May.
    8. Judit Nagy & Zsófia Jámbor, 2019. "Competitiveness in Dairy Trade – the Case of EU and the Visegrad Group Countries," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 11(4), December.
    9. Carraresi, Laura & Mamaqi, Xhevrie & Albisu, Luis Miguel & Banterle, Alessandro, 2012. "Strategic Capabilities and Performance: An Application of Resource-Based View in Italian Food SMEs," 2012 International European Forum, February 13-17, 2012, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 144955, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    10. Macedo, Anthony & Rebelo, João & Gouveia, Sofia, 2019. "Export propensity and intensity in the wine industry: a fractional econometric approach," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 8(3), December.
    11. Joseph Misati Akuma, 2014. "Social Protection for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Kenya: Initiatives, Opportunities and Challenges," European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 1, September.
    12. Renjini, V.R. & Venkatesh, Palanisamy & Nithyashree, ML & Singh, Alka, 2021. "Processed Food Export from India to European Union: Trend and Potential," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315306, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Judit Nagy & Zsófia Jámbor, 2018. "Competitiveness In Global Trade: The Case Of The Automobile Industry," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 63(218), pages 61-84, July – Se.
    14. Jambor, A. & Toth, A.T. & Koroshegyi, D., 2018. "Competitiveness in the trade of spices: A global evidence," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277195, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    15. Mariusz Hamulczuk & Karolina Pawlak, 2022. "Determinants for international competitiveness of the food industry in 43 countries worldwide: evidence from panel models," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 17(3), pages 635-667, September.

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