The international performance of agri-food districts

Abstract

The article deals with “The international performance of agri-food districts”, placing the theme in the economic, social and territorial framework discussed by the authors. For ease of exposition and data retrieval, in this analysis the agri-food districts coincide with the provincial areas, although in some cases the correspondence is not perfect. It is worth remembering the cases of the “dairy” section of Pianura Padana, of the Campanian tomato and Emilia-Romagna, of the rice of Pavia and Vercelli, of the oil in Tuscany, Umbria and Puglia. The export analysis is carried out on the data of the Italian provinces and is disaggregated in the following sectors: meat, fish, fruit/ Vegetables, oil/greasants, milk/ dairy products, granaglie/sfarinati, pasta/products from oven, beverage/wine, other food. Export performance The exports of agri-food districts can be assessed on the basis of two different types of performance. The policy implications The results of the study allow some implications for public policy to strengthen international performance of agri-food districts. The best practices identified in districts with greater export or with greater export weight on the local economy can be a good imitative model for these areas predominantly agricultural.

Keywords

agriculture; agri-food systems; human capital; Industrial policy; internationalization; Local development

JEL codes

Q13; Q18; R11