Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study

In food distribution, trends are emerging that seek to reduce the number of agents involved, promoting short supply chains (SFSCs). In response to that, the objective of this research is double: analysing the level of consumer awareness, use and willingness to pay for products being distributed thro...

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Main Authors: Clementina Aguado-Gragera, Celia Sama-Berrocal, Francisco J. Mesías, Eva Crespo-Cebada, Carlos Diaz-Caro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324003132
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author Clementina Aguado-Gragera
Celia Sama-Berrocal
Francisco J. Mesías
Eva Crespo-Cebada
Carlos Diaz-Caro
author_facet Clementina Aguado-Gragera
Celia Sama-Berrocal
Francisco J. Mesías
Eva Crespo-Cebada
Carlos Diaz-Caro
author_sort Clementina Aguado-Gragera
collection DOAJ
description In food distribution, trends are emerging that seek to reduce the number of agents involved, promoting short supply chains (SFSCs). In response to that, the objective of this research is double: analysing the level of consumer awareness, use and willingness to pay for products being distributed through SFSCs and on the basis of the information obtained, analysing the issues that producers employing these channels are facing with the aim of using this information to design strategies to help the production sector. We have employed a qualitative approach and organised 12 focus groups including consumers and producers from various Spanish towns, with discussions being carried out between March and July 2022. The outcomes reveal that, producers and consumers recognize benefits in these channels but note barriers like lack of consumer information and access inconveniences. Consumers show less inclination for SFSC purchases, especially for delicate (meats) or infrequent (wine) products, preferring supermarkets. Finally, the participants highlight price and online channel inconvenience as main limitations, echoed by producers. In order to promote short food supply chains, it would be essential to overcome the barriers identified in this study by implementing strategies focused on information, accessibility, price competitiveness and optimisation of the purchasing process. These actions will not only offer advantages to both consumers and producers, but will also boost the local economy. In addition, this study's findings can help in the design of public policies that promote SFSCs and encourage their adoption.
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spelling doaj-art-a0990be715964f18b3133741cd2ae70b2025-08-20T02:49:04ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432024-12-011810127610.1016/j.jafr.2024.101276Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory studyClementina Aguado-Gragera0Celia Sama-Berrocal1Francisco J. Mesías2Eva Crespo-Cebada3Carlos Diaz-Caro4Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, SpainEscuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, SpainEscuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, Spain; Institute of Agricultural Resources (INURA), University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, Spain; Corresponding author. Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, Spain.Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n, 06007, Badajoz, SpainDepartment of Financial Economics and Accounting, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, SpainIn food distribution, trends are emerging that seek to reduce the number of agents involved, promoting short supply chains (SFSCs). In response to that, the objective of this research is double: analysing the level of consumer awareness, use and willingness to pay for products being distributed through SFSCs and on the basis of the information obtained, analysing the issues that producers employing these channels are facing with the aim of using this information to design strategies to help the production sector. We have employed a qualitative approach and organised 12 focus groups including consumers and producers from various Spanish towns, with discussions being carried out between March and July 2022. The outcomes reveal that, producers and consumers recognize benefits in these channels but note barriers like lack of consumer information and access inconveniences. Consumers show less inclination for SFSC purchases, especially for delicate (meats) or infrequent (wine) products, preferring supermarkets. Finally, the participants highlight price and online channel inconvenience as main limitations, echoed by producers. In order to promote short food supply chains, it would be essential to overcome the barriers identified in this study by implementing strategies focused on information, accessibility, price competitiveness and optimisation of the purchasing process. These actions will not only offer advantages to both consumers and producers, but will also boost the local economy. In addition, this study's findings can help in the design of public policies that promote SFSCs and encourage their adoption.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324003132Short food supply chainsParticipation approachPreferencesProducersConsumers
spellingShingle Clementina Aguado-Gragera
Celia Sama-Berrocal
Francisco J. Mesías
Eva Crespo-Cebada
Carlos Diaz-Caro
Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Short food supply chains
Participation approach
Preferences
Producers
Consumers
title Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
title_full Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
title_fullStr Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
title_short Challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in Spain: A stakeholder participatory study
title_sort challenges and opportunities of short food supply chains in spain a stakeholder participatory study
topic Short food supply chains
Participation approach
Preferences
Producers
Consumers
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154324003132
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