29548 - Food System Economics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have a theoretical and empirical knowledge of the structure, internal relations and dynamics of the agro-food system.
Students will also be acquainted with the main sources of information and research tools to assess the performance of the agri-food system.

Course contents

PART 1 - INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTS OF ECONOMICS

1 Economy and markets
1.1 Introduction to microeconomics: the production possibilities frontier
1.2 Markets and price systems
1.3 Supply and demand
1.4 Analysis of externalities with supply and demand curves
1.5 Price formation in agri-food markets

2 Production economics
2.1 Production theory
2.2 Production with two variable inputs
2.3 Theory of production costs
2.4 Profit maximization in perfect competition

3 Consumer economics
3.1 Utility theory
3.2 Indifference curve and budget constraint
3.3 Theory of revealed preferences
3.4 Evolution in the study of consumer choices
3.5 Engel's law

PART 2 - THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM.

4 The agri-food system: the sectors
4.1 The food system
4.2 The evolution of consumer behavior
4.3 Italian agriculture
4.4 The food industry
4.5 Food distribution
4.6 Institutional collective catering management models
4.7 International trade in agri-food products

5 Organization of the agri-food system
5.1 The supply chain
5.2 Distribution channels
5.3 The organizational forms of the distribution channel
5.4 Integration
5.5 The districts
5.6 Business networks

6 Cooperatives and producer organizations
6.1 Agri-food cooperatives 6.2 The role of cooperation in Italian agri-food
6.3 The budget of the cooperatives
6.4 Advantages and disadvantages of cooperation
6.5 Producer Organization (PO)

7 Sustainability in the agri-food system
7.1 Sustainability in the international debate
7.2 Sustainability of food production and consumption
7.3 Food waste
7.4 The economic evaluation of actions to mitigate environmental impact

PART 3 – POLICIES IN AGRI-FOOD.

10 Common agricultural policy (CAP) and support for markets
10.1 The common agricultural policy: origins and objectives
10.2 Support coupled with markets (first pillar of the CAP)
10.3 Production surpluses generated by the guaranteed minimum price (PMG)
10.4 Production quotas and direct production support
10.5 Towards decoupling (Agenda 2000 and Mid Term Review)
10.6 the introduction of direct payments and Greening: the CAP 2014-2020
10.7 The national strategic plan: the CAP 2023-2027

11 Multifunctionality and policies for rural development
11.1 Multifunctionality of agriculture, public goods and externalities
11.2 Support for rural development (second pillar of the CAP)
11.3 Agenda 2000 and rural development programmes
11.4 The framework of rural development policies 2014-2020
11.5 Rural development policy in the 2003-2027 reform
11.6 Policies for participatory rural development: the LEADER approach

12 Economy and policies for food safety
12.1 Economics of food security
12.2 Food safety policies
12.3 Economic risk assessment
12.4 Final considerations

SOURCES OF ECONOMIC INFORMATION FOR THE ANALYSIS OF THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM

Readings/Bibliography

Textbook:

• Menozzi, D. (2023).
  Economia del sistema agroalimentare. EdiSES. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9788836231621

Further supplementary readings (scientific research papers and specialized press articles) and exercises will be recommended and made available online by the teacher through the "Virtuale" e-learning platform, that can be accessed from the "teaching" section of teacher's home page.

Student will be asked to sign up to the platform by inserting their own university credentials (contact the teacher for any problems).

The platform's contents are continuously updated and the changes are promptly reported in the "Forum News" section.

Teaching methods

The two modules of “Sistema alimentare” (29548) and “Marketing dei prodotti alimentari” (18452) are part of the integrated course “Marketing per il sistema alimentare” (29547). The two modules are both offered in the first semester of the academic year and will be developed in a coordinat ed manner by the two teachers.

The lectures of “Sistema alimentare” (29548) will be complemented by in class exercises and by a practical overview of the main web resources of interest for the assessment of the agri-food sector (in the computer lab).

Seminars held by sector experts and visits to agri-food firms will also be organized, possibly in coordination with the teacher of the course “Marketing dei prodotti alimentari” (18452) .

Assessment methods

The final vote for the integrated course “Marketing per il sistema alimentare” (29547) is based on the votes obtained in the modules “Marketing dei prodotti alimentari (18452) and “Sistema alimentare” (29548) and it is given collegially by the commission including the teachers of the two modules.

The exam of the course "Sistema alimentare" (29548) consists of an oral exam lasting approximately 30 minutes, during which the following will be discussed:

a) A brief PowerPoint presentation (max 10 slides) on a topic agreed upon with the instructor. This presentation must be sent to the instructor via email at least 4 days before the oral exam date. Attending students will have the opportunity to give their presentations as a group during the course, following a schedule established by the instructor.

b) Two questions related to the course content.

During the oral exam, the examination committee may ask additional questions to clarify aspects related to the two main questions.

The evaluation of each activity will contribute to the partial exam grade (expressed out of thirty) as follows:

• 10/30 for the presentation
• 10/30 for each of the two questions

When evaluating the candidate, the committee will pay particular attention to their ability to make conceptual connections, critically analyze ongoing phenomena in the agri-food system, and use precise language when presenting the content.

Eligible students may contact the instructor to arrange an exam outside the scheduled sessions.

Please notice that, since this is an Integrated Course, the final grade will be registered by Prof. Malorgio.

Teaching tools

Computer, projector, internet connection, dashboard and board markers, computer lab for exercises and practice.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Camanzi