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Drivers for competitiveness in agri-food chains:
A comparative analysis of 10 EU food product chains
WP4 EUMercoPol
Guido van Hofwegen
Gertjan Becx
Joep van den Broek
Wageningen, September 2005
Drivers for competitiveness in agri-food chains: A
comparative analysis of 10 EU food product chains
A report for the EUMercoPol project - WP4
Management Studies Group
Department of Social Sciences
Wageningen UR
Guido van Hofwegen
Gertjan Becx
Joep van den Broek
Wageningen, September 2005
2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
3
Introduction
4
Drivers
5
1.
Market structure
6
2.
Regulation
10
3.
Chain Coordination
16
4.
Logistics
19
5.
Quality
20
6.
Added Value
22
7.
Costs
24
Overview
25
References
28
3
Introduction
There has been a large increase in vertical integration of agricultural and horticultural supply
chains in the EU since the 1990s. To survive in a more and more globalized and competitive
market, agro-related enterprises have to form and count on close associations with clients and
suppliers. Marked advantages of organising agri-food production in chains or networks of
companies are increased efficiency, flexibility and quality. Due to vertical integration, the
arena of competition is shifting from the scale of the individual business to the scale of the
entire supply chain. Especially in the food sector, business as usual has changed lately.
Retailers no longer focus on the four P’s (product, price, place and promotion), but are more
keen on: traceability, reliable supply and long term relationships (Skytte & Blunch, 2001).
Supply chain management can be defined as the planning and management of all activities
involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion, and logistics management (CSCMP,
2005). Importantly, it also includes coordination and collaboration with channel partners such
as suppliers, intermediaries,...