The course deals with the economic theory of the agri-food sector, recalling and discussing the assumptions underlying this theory and analyzing their implications and their degree of realism with respect to the behavior of agents operating in the agri-food sector (producers, consumers, processing industry and distribution). Particular attention will be paid to:
• Relations between agriculture and the rest of the economy, with reference to the Italian agri-food sector
• Recalls of economics (market structures and consumption theory), with reference to analyse the demand for agri-food products at national and international level
• The characteristics of the agri-food consumption, consumers’ choices and certifications, with particular reference to the role of sustainability and quality as drivers of product differentiation
• The characteristics of the Italian agri-food system
• Sustainability, Innovation and Quality: the challenges of the sector
• Relations between agriculture and the rest of the economy, with reference to the Italian agri-food sector
• Recalls of economics (market structures and consumption theory), with reference to analyse the demand for agri-food products at national and international level
• The characteristics of the agri-food consumption, consumers’ choices and certifications, with particular reference to the role of sustainability and quality as drivers of product differentiation
• The characteristics of the Italian agri-food system
• Sustainability, Innovation and Quality: the challenges of the sector
teacher profile teaching materials
• Recalls of economics (market structures and consumption theory), with reference to analyse the demand for agri-food products at national and international level
• The characteristics of the agri-food consumption, consumers’ choices and certifications, with particular reference to the role of sustainability and quality as drivers of product differentiation
• The characteristics of the Italian agri-food system
• Recalls of environmental economics, with a specific focus on the relation with the agri-food system
Papers and reports on agricultural and agri-food economics, with a specific focus on the Italian agri-food sector (available on Moodle)
Papers and reports on EU agri-food quality policy and Geographical Indications, with a specific focus on the Italian agri-food sector (available on Moodle)
Programme
Relations between agriculture and the rest of the economy, with reference to the Italian agri-food sector• Recalls of economics (market structures and consumption theory), with reference to analyse the demand for agri-food products at national and international level
• The characteristics of the agri-food consumption, consumers’ choices and certifications, with particular reference to the role of sustainability and quality as drivers of product differentiation
• The characteristics of the Italian agri-food system
• Recalls of environmental economics, with a specific focus on the relation with the agri-food system
Core Documentation
Lecture notes (available on Moodle)Papers and reports on agricultural and agri-food economics, with a specific focus on the Italian agri-food sector (available on Moodle)
Papers and reports on EU agri-food quality policy and Geographical Indications, with a specific focus on the Italian agri-food sector (available on Moodle)
Type of delivery of the course
LecturesType of evaluation
Examination methods For attending students there will be a written test at the end of the course. For non-attending students (or even for attending students who prefer it) the exam will be oral.