Agri-food supply chains in Southern and Eastern Europe

Publication date: 06/05/2024
Extent: 20 pages

Contributions by: F. J. Peña Rodríguez, University of Granada, Spain; C. Yacamán Ochoa, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain; and A. Matarán Ruiz, University of Granada, Spain

Chapter synopsis:

This chapter describes the fundamental characteristics of the food systems of Eastern and Southern Europe, paying particular attention to their agro-export nature and the late predominance of large-scale distribution companies in their markets. The chapter then reviews the unsustainability of this model due to its high-energy demand and the need to opt for alternative channels, which the authors have framed within the short food supply chains (SFSCs), as the European Union is doing in its ‘From farm to fork’ strategy, which aims to correct the serious impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy. Finally, the chapter explains in detail how they are developing in Eastern and Southern Europe, pointing out the main problems they face and their current potential. The chapter also describes the types of SFSCs that currently exist in Spain as an example that could represent the other countries considered.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2023.0122.06