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 the theory of production costs, to the theory of demand and to the theory perfect and imperfect competition (monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition). In this framework, all examples and case studies will be discussed with reference to the reality of the Italian agro-food system and the catering sector.
A specific focus will be addressed to the quality of products and services, with a special attention to the role of quality for in the agri-food sector and the European quality scheme of Geographical Indications. Starting from the Italian scenario, specific case studies of successful Geographical Indications will be presented with the aim of better understanding the strengths and the weaknesses of this quality scheme.
A specific focus will be addressed to the quality of products and services, with a special attention to the role of quality for in the agri-food sector and the European quality scheme of Geographical Indications. Starting from the Italian scenario, specific case studies of successful Geographical Indications will be presented with the aim of better understanding the strengths and the weaknesses of this quality scheme.
teacher profile teaching materials
• Agriculture and perfect competition
• Market structures and imperfect competition in agri-food sector
• Production costs agricultural supply in the short term
• Production costs and agricultural supply in the long term
The demand for agri-food products
• Call for preference theory: from utility to demand curve
• Income and substitution Effect and classification of goods
• Price elasticity
• Income Elasticity-and Engel's Law
• Food demand as differentiated goods
Quality and market
• Competition and differentiation of products
• Market dynamics and information asymmetry
• Quality, preferences and utility
• Ex-ante interventions: policies, labels, standards and certifications and Ex-post control measures
Geographical Indications
• Definition, diffusion, strengths and weaknesses
• Geographical Indications in the agro-food system
• Case studies
Agriculture and the agro-food system
• The supply chain in the agro-food sector
• Food consumption and distribution in Italy
• An overview of the agri-food system in the EU and in Italy
- F. De Filippis, La domanda dei prodotti agroalimentari (dispense)
- F De Filippis, Dispense su teoria dell’impresa, teoria dei costi e forme di mercato
- Cristina Vaquero Piñeiro, Dispense su qualità e indicazioni geografiche- Lessons slides and selected readings will be delivered during the course
Programme
The supply of agri-food products• Agriculture and perfect competition
• Market structures and imperfect competition in agri-food sector
• Production costs agricultural supply in the short term
• Production costs and agricultural supply in the long term
The demand for agri-food products
• Call for preference theory: from utility to demand curve
• Income and substitution Effect and classification of goods
• Price elasticity
• Income Elasticity-and Engel's Law
• Food demand as differentiated goods
Quality and market
• Competition and differentiation of products
• Market dynamics and information asymmetry
• Quality, preferences and utility
• Ex-ante interventions: policies, labels, standards and certifications and Ex-post control measures
Geographical Indications
• Definition, diffusion, strengths and weaknesses
• Geographical Indications in the agro-food system
• Case studies
Agriculture and the agro-food system
• The supply chain in the agro-food sector
• Food consumption and distribution in Italy
• An overview of the agri-food system in the EU and in Italy
Core Documentation
- M. De Benedictis, F. Cosentino, Economia dell'azienda agraria, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1979: cap. 1, 6 e 7- F. De Filippis, La domanda dei prodotti agroalimentari (dispense)
- F De Filippis, Dispense su teoria dell’impresa, teoria dei costi e forme di mercato
- Cristina Vaquero Piñeiro, Dispense su qualità e indicazioni geografiche- Lessons slides and selected readings will be delivered during the course
Type of evaluation
The exam is oral, but the students who attended the course may choose to take a written exam at the end of the course teacher profile teaching materials
• Competition and differentiation of products
• Market dynamics and information asymmetry
• Quality, preferences and utility
• Ex-ante interventions: policies, labels, standards and certifications and ex-post control measures
Geographical Indications
• Definition, diffusion, strengths and weaknesses
• Geographical Indications in the agro-food system
• Case studies
- M. De Benedictis, F. Cosentino, Economia dell'azienda agraria, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1979: cap. 1, 6 e 7
- F. De Filippis, La domanda dei prodotti agroalimentari (dispense)
- F De Filippis, Dispense su teoria dell’impresa, teoria dei costi e forme di mercato
- Cristina Vaquero Piñeiro, Dispense su qualità e indicazioni geografiche
- Slides delle lezioni e altro materiale sarà segnalato e reso disponibile dai docenti
Programme
Quality and market• Competition and differentiation of products
• Market dynamics and information asymmetry
• Quality, preferences and utility
• Ex-ante interventions: policies, labels, standards and certifications and ex-post control measures
Geographical Indications
• Definition, diffusion, strengths and weaknesses
• Geographical Indications in the agro-food system
• Case studies
Core Documentation
Testi- M. De Benedictis, F. Cosentino, Economia dell'azienda agraria, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1979: cap. 1, 6 e 7
- F. De Filippis, La domanda dei prodotti agroalimentari (dispense)
- F De Filippis, Dispense su teoria dell’impresa, teoria dei costi e forme di mercato
- Cristina Vaquero Piñeiro, Dispense su qualità e indicazioni geografiche
- Slides delle lezioni e altro materiale sarà segnalato e reso disponibile dai docenti