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Brokers vs. Retailers: Evidence from the French Imports Industry of Fresh Produce

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  • Elodie Rouviere

    (UMR G-EAU - Gestion de l'Eau, Acteurs, Usages - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - Montpellier SupAgro - Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques - AgroParisTech - IRSTEA - Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture - IRD [France-Sud] - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement)

  • Karine Latouche

    (LERECO CEDRAN - Laboratoire d'Études et de Recherches en Economie - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique)

Abstract

There is burgeoning discussion in the literature about trade intermediaries and more precisely about their specific role in trade. Using very original data, our article sheds light on the behavior of trade intermediaries when importing fresh fruits and vegetables in France. To do so, we distinguish the shares of direct and indirect imports of fresh produce respectively operated through French brokers and through French retailers. Accounting for the bounded nature of the share, we show that brokers are more likely than retailers to operate in small countries with high variable costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Elodie Rouviere & Karine Latouche, 2012. "Brokers vs. Retailers: Evidence from the French Imports Industry of Fresh Produce," Post-Print hal-01585530, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01585530
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International food marketing; import safety; Fresh produce; Intermediation; International trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • Q17 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agriculture in International Trade
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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