Localisation des productions agricoles : Le rôle des politiques de différenciation territoriale des produits dans le cadre d'un processus d'intégration économique

This paper investigates the contribution of spatial and variety dimensions to agri-food prices. It presents a stylised model of multiple producers, supplying differentiated products to consumers in different regions. Production is characterised by aspects that give rise to both increasing and decreasing returns. The long run equilibrium price received will reflect the premium paid by consumers who value variety and one type of transport cost. The price paid by consumers also includes two other transport costs. Using the model we show how, in order to prepare an integration process, policies based on differentiation, given geographical origin of outputs can flavours dispersion of agricultural activities between regions. Differences between varieties can be due to (i) differences in inputs (Indication Géographique de Provenance IGP) and (ii) differences in outputs (Appellation d'Origine Controlée AOC). Given the example of the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) integration, we applied three scenarios. We show that differentiation policies don't favour the global agricultural production, but flavour a certain equilibrium of location of agricultural outputs between regions.