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Can/Should/Will A Niche Become the Norm? Organic Agriculture's Short Past and Long Future

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  • Steven C. Blank
  • Gary D. Thompson

Abstract

A theory is proposed that explains the evolution of a market based on a quality variant as it goes from being a niche to the market norm. Organic commodities are described as such a quality variant and used to focus on the economic and policy issues that arise during a market's evolution. It is shown how organic products in general can become the norm in many American commodity markets. However, there is disagreement over whether it should and much uncertainty about whether it will. The current status of two organic markets is discussed to illustrate empirical issues. (JEL Q130, Q110, Q100)

Suggested Citation

  • Steven C. Blank & Gary D. Thompson, 2004. "Can/Should/Will A Niche Become the Norm? Organic Agriculture's Short Past and Long Future," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(4), pages 483-503, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:22:y:2004:i:4:p:483-503
    DOI: 10.1093/cep/byh036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edward C. Jaenicke & Andrea C. Carlson, 2015. "Estimating and Investigating Organic Premiums for Retail‐Level Food Products," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 453-471, October.
    2. Ronaldo Tavares Souza, 2020. "Box-scheme as alternative food network—the economic integration between consumers and producers," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-25, December.
    3. Blank, Steven C., 2010. "Economic Sustainability in the Evolving World: Implications for American Agriculture and Economists," Western Economics Forum, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8.
    4. Joseph, Siny & Stephens, Greg, 2020. "Impact of “FarmStarts” on Mitigating Barriers of U.S. Organic Dairy Farming for Beginning Organic Dairy and Feed Producers in Twelve Mid-Western States," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304339, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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