| Titre : | Challenges facing agricultural cooperatives in Mediterranean countries (2026) |
| Auteurs : | C. Iliopoulos ; I. Theodorakopoulou ; M. Gonzalez Diaz ; M. Filippi ; U. Nizza ; A. Tektas |
| Type de document : | Article |
| Dans : | Journal of rural studies (vol. 123, March 2026) |
| Article en page(s) : | p. 104004 |
| Langues : | Anglais |
| Langues du résumé : | Anglais |
| Catégories : |
Catégories principales 05 - DEVELOPPEMENT RURAL ; 5.3 - Institutions RuralesThésaurus IAMM COOPERATIVE AGRICOLE ; ACCES AUX MARCHES ; INNOVATION ; REGION MEDITERRANEENNE ; ESPAGNE ; FRANCE ; GRECE ; ITALIE ; TURQUIE |
| Résumé : | Agricultural cooperatives are vital to the Mediterranean region, enhancing farmers' market access, bargaining power, and innovation. However, they face significant challenges threatening their sustainability. This paper examines these challenges in France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Türkiye using a qualitative approach that integrates insights from Solution Hub discussions and interviews with cooperative leaders, experts, and policymakers. It identifies common challenges-governance inefficiencies, financial instability, climate change impacts, and generational renewal-alongside country-specific obstacles shaped by distinct socio-economic, environmental, and political contexts. Governance inefficiencies, including slow decision-making and underrepresentation of women and youth, are pervasive but manifest differently across countries. Financial instability, driven by market volatility and limited credit access, is particularly acute in Greece and Türkiye. Climate change poses serious threats, with France focusing on decarbonization and agro-ecological transitions, while Greece and Türkiye grapple with water scarcity and extreme weather. Demographic shifts, including rural depopulation and an aging workforce, exacerbate these challenges, especially in Italy and Spain. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comparative analysis of Mediterranean agricultural cooperatives, addressing a gap in research that often focuses on single-country studies. It underscores the need for context-specific strategies, recognizing that while some challenges are shared, their intensity and manifestations vary. The findings highlight the crucial role of cooperatives in addressing climate change and rural depopulation-areas often overlooked in the literature. Practical implications include targeted interventions, capacity-building, and supportive legal frameworks to enhance cooperative resilience. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and regional collaboration, stakeholders can strengthen these essential institutions. |
| Cote : | En ligne |
| URL / DOI : | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2026.104004 |
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