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Potentials and Limitations of Regional Organic Food Supply: A Qualitative Analysis of Two Food Chain Types in the Berlin Metropolitan Region

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  • Alexandra Doernberg

    (Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e. V., Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany)

  • Ingo Zasada

    (Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e. V., Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany)

  • Katarzyna Bruszewska

    (Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e. V., Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany)

  • Björn Skoczowski

    (Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt University Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany)

  • Annette Piorr

    (Institute of Socio-Economics, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e. V., Eberswalder Str. 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany)

Abstract

Regional food systems and organic agriculture are both considered more sustainable than the conventional, globalized food system they provide an alternative to. The emergence and expansion of alternative forms of food supply are influenced by various factors on different scales. Using the food systems approach we aim to study potentials and limitations of regional organic food supply in the Berlin metropolitan region (BMR). Based on the literature, we developed an analytical framework and identified determinants of regional organic food provision along the three major levels of the supply chain: agricultural production, food chain organization, and consumption. Then, we examined a qualitative case study with two different types of alternative food networks (A) organic community supported agriculture (CSA) and (B) organic retail trade. Factors that hinder or promote the provision of regional organic food were identified through qualitative interviews and assessed by regional stakeholders in a workshop. Our findings show that demand for regional organic food is higher than regional supply, which could offer good possibilities for organic farmers. However, actors in these two food chains need to overcome some obstacles, including limited access to land, increasing renting prices, insufficient processing capacities, and unsupportive political environment for organic farming.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Doernberg & Ingo Zasada & Katarzyna Bruszewska & Björn Skoczowski & Annette Piorr, 2016. "Potentials and Limitations of Regional Organic Food Supply: A Qualitative Analysis of Two Food Chain Types in the Berlin Metropolitan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:11:p:1125-:d:81959
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    2. Isabel Salavisa & Maria Fátima Ferreiro & Sofia Bizarro, 2021. "The Transition of the Agro-Food System: Lessons from Organic Farming in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.
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    6. Thomas Krikser & Ingo Zasada & Annette Piorr, 2019. "Socio-Economic Viability of Urban Agriculture—A Comparative Analysis of Success Factors in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-12, April.
    7. Josephine Lauterbach & Christina Bantle, 2022. "“For More Diversity, Better Taste and My Own Health” Exploring Organic Consumers’ Purchasing Motives for Heirloom Vegetable Varieties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, March.
    8. Mirka Erler & Christoph Dittrich, 2020. "Middle Class, Tradition and the Desi-Realm—Discourses of Alternative Food Networks in Bengaluru, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, March.
    9. Marino Davide & Giannelli Agostino & Mazzocchi Giampiero & Mastronardi Luigi & Giaccio Vincenzo, 2018. "Territorialisation dynamics for Italian farms adhering to Alternative Food Networks," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 40(40), pages 113-131, June.
    10. Charis Linda Braun & Meike Rombach & Anna Maria Häring & Vera Bitsch, 2018. "A Local Gap in Sustainable Food Procurement: Organic Vegetables in Berlin’s School Meals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, November.
    11. Charis Linda Braun & Vera Bitsch & Anna Maria Häring, 2022. "Behind the scenes of a learning agri-food value chain: lessons from action research," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 119-134, March.
    12. Gilles Grolleau & Alain Marciano & Naoufel Mzoughi, 2021. "Scandals : a ‘reset button’ to drive change?," Post-Print hal-02921614, HAL.
    13. Gerlinde Behrendt & Sarah Peter & Simone Sterly & Anna Maria Häring, 2022. "Community financing for sustainable food and farming: a proximity perspective," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 1063-1075, September.
    14. Braun, Charis Linda & Rombach, Meike & Bitsch, Vera & Häring, Anna Maria, 2018. "Structures and Actors of the Organic Vegetable Value Chain for School Catering: a Case Study of the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276863, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    15. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Gawankar, Shradha A., 2020. "Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: A review for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 179-194.
    16. Bernd Pölling & Marcus Mergenthaler, 2017. "The Location Matters: Determinants for “Deepening” and “Broadening” Diversification Strategies in Ruhr Metropolis’ Urban Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-19, July.
    17. Susanne Kummer & Rebecka Milestad, 2020. "The Diversity of Organic Box Schemes in Europe—An Exploratory Study in Four Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-24, March.
    18. Alassane D. Yeo & Aimin Deng & Todine Y. Nadiedjoa, 2020. "The Effect of Infrastructure and Logistics Performance on Economic Performance: The Mediation Role of International Trade," Foreign Trade Review, , vol. 55(4), pages 450-465, November.

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