Title of document: Constructing markets for agroecology “An analysis of diverse options for marketing products from agroecology”

Authors: Allison Loconto, Alejandra Jimenez and Emilie Vandecandelaere

Journal’s name if any:

Ministry/Government Agency/Organisation: FAO, INRA

Year of publication: 2017

Geographic focus: Global level

Main issues / topics addressed (for example: Introduction; Markets for agroecology; Agroecological markets; Conclusions and Recommendations……)

School of agroecology (if any):

Web address to original document (if any): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320193869_What_might_an_agro-ecological_food_system_look_like

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Allison_Loconto/publication/320193869_What_might_an_agro-ecological_food_system_look_like/links/5a419323458515f6b04cf0c6/What-might-an-agro-ecological-food-system-look-like.pdf

Summary:

The purpose of this study is to explore whether and how products from agroecological production systems are being valued in markets. This exploratory study has been conducted using a conceptual framework from economic sociology. It produced qualitative and descriptive evidence from the perspective of producers, consumers and intermediaries working within specific initiatives. These initiatives are created to ensure that food from agroecological production is exchanged and traded between producers and consumers. They also illustrate how the organization of networks and the creation of “value” form markets for agroecology.

The study is based on a meta-analysis of 12 case studies, mainly from developing and emerging countries and one developed country (Benin, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda), with the collection of small samples of empirical data. Based on a meta-analysis of 12 case studies from different ongoing initiatives around the world, we focus on how different types of local actors (producers, consumers and intermediaries) create markets for agroecological products. The results show that markets for agroecological products do exist, but are not always separate from organic markets.