PDO Olive Oil Products: A Powerful Tool for Farmers and Rural Areas

Abstract

Nowadays, consumers’ quality awareness and health consciousness drive the agri-food market towards a consumer-response food market. As a result, many producers and firms in the Euro-Mediterranean countries have opted for several quality and origin assurance schemes. Among them, a prevalent role is played by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification that constitutes a successful differentiation tool for agricultural products, and it is also widely used by Euro-Mediterranean olive oil producers due to effective contribution in promoting high-quality olive oil. After going through previous studies of PDO olive oil, this review paper investigates the general aspects and prospects of PDO olive oil products and EU relevant regulations, highlighting the socio-economic dimensions and impacts upon producers, consumers, and rural areas, and determining the gap between literature and practice with regards to PDO’s implementation and the expected benefits. Finally, the paper concludes with the main points and recommendations for further research.     

An analysis of EU wine trade: A gravity model approach

In this research study, a gravity model approach was used in order to analyze the main factors affecting the trade flows of wine in the EU. The empirical model was applied using data for the first twelve EU countries for the period 1989–97. It has been clearly shown in the empirical literature that gravity models can be successfully applied to a single commodity market. The present study utilized pooled cross-sectional and time series data in a one-way fixed effects model that accounted for country-pair heterogeneity. The results revealed that wine trade was positively influenced by an increase in GDP per capita, since greater income promotes trade. The remoteness of one country from another influenced exports positively and imports negatively, and the quantities traded did not prove to be very sensitive to wine prices. The depreciation of EU currencies and the high production of wine in the EU increased exports and reduced imports, while EU integration enhanced trade among members.     

A new approach to determining sectoral priorities in an economy: input–Output elasticities

This paper uses input–Output elasticities to identify important economic sectors. Elasticities of output employment and income are used to identify key sectors of the Greek economy. A comparison of the rankings of economic sectors based on input–output elasticities with those based on net backward linkages indicates significant divergence in sectoral rankings obtained from the two approaches. The elasticity approach yields more consistent estimates of sectoral output employment and income potentials than the net backward linkage approach. Measured in terms of the potential to generate output employment and income agriculture services and textiles are found to be the key sectors for the Greek economy.     

Semiparametric Estimation for Non-Ruin Probabilities

We consider the classical risk model with unknown claim size distribution F and unknown Poisson arrival rate u . Given a sample of claims from F and a sample of interarrival times for these claims, we construct an estimator for the function Z ( u ), which gives the probability of non-ruin in that model for initial surplus u . We obtain strong consistency and asymptotic normality for that estimator for a large class of claim distributions F . Confidence bounds for Z ( u ) based on the bootstrap are also given and illustrated by some numerical examples.     

Alterations in export patterns through transforming policies in Romania

This study examines Romanian export flows in light of the dismantling of the traditional economic ties within the former Eastern European trading bloc (the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) and the conclusion (in 1993) of the Association Agreement between Romania and the European Union. These have led to a significant adjustment of the geographic trade pattern for Romania. The structural gravity model was employed to analyze the evolution of Romanian export flows to the two groups of main trading partners, i.e., the European nations of the former Council for Mutual Economic Assistance and the European Union. The empirical results support the view that the European Union became and will remain the major market outlet for Romanian exports in the following years.The authors are indebted to the participants of the 41st Atlantic Economic Conference for their helpful comments and suggestions on a first draft of this paper.     

The profile of the green consumer in Greece

Sustainable consumption is one of the major goals of the affluent European societies in their quest for sustainable development. A key player in sustainable consumption is the sustainable or green consumer. The aim of this study was to examine the profile of the Greek green consumer based on the study and empirical analysis of engagement in selected 3R (reduce – reuse – recycle) activities. In addition, the attitudes on certain issues related to sustainable consumption of the consumers were examined and analysed. Empirical analysis is based on the use of a cross‐section data set. An extensive survey of 300 Greek consumers via a questionnaire was carried out in the first trimester of 2008. The sampled households were located in five of the main and most representative regions of Athens, with respect to the socioeconomic characteristics (sex, age, income group, education level) of their residents. Respondents were asked to answer questions examining the 3R concept on daily issues such as solid waste generation and water and energy consumption. Empirical results are based on the estimation of regression models. Econometric models are estimated for each question explaining engagement in 3R activities. Empirical results suggest that sociodemographic characteristics do specify engagement in 3R related activities. In particular, age and income are the most influential factors that determine this engagement. In addition, our study reveals that four out of five Greek consumers identify global climate change as the most important issue of our time. However, only one in five of the respondents are willing to change their lifestyle in order to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of our everyday activities; compared with men, women are more willing to do so. One in two consumers report that eco‐friendly products are more expensive than standard ones. However, when questioned as to whether they would pay a higher price for products with less environmental impact, almost four out of five responded favourably.     

Investigating Smoker's Profile: The Role of Psychosocial Characteristics and the Effectiveness of Tobacco Policy Tools

This article investigates smoker's profile by addressing the determinants of cigarette demand and providing a circumstantial exposition of the psychosocial characteristics that differentiate smoking patterns. At the same time, the impact of tobacco control policies on smoking rates and their effectiveness on decreasing cigarette consumption are also analyzed. Consumers are distinguished in four smoking groups in concurrence to smoking status, and dichotomous indicators are constructed to describe tobacco control policies, psychosocial, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. The empirical analysis estimates an ordered probit model with sample selectivity. The results indicate the absence of selectivity bias for cigarette consumption; hence, the subsample of smokers comprises a random independent sample and smoking participation and cigarette consumption form distinct stages of smoking behavior. Most of the psychosocial factors are found to be statistically significant in the econometric analysis, implying the main determinants of smoking behavior. In addition, total smoking bans in workplaces and educational institutions comprise efficient policy tools for decreasing cigarette demand, while partial smoking restrictions are accrued to be ineffective in reducing smoking participation.