Agri-food cooperative enterprises: From Ballestero to Bijman

Abstract

Agri-food cooperative enterprises have developed significantly in the EU, and are expected to take on an even greater role in the European agri-food industry. Professor Ballestero’s theory and Decalogue for the agricultural cooperative enterprises are particularly relevant. We relate them to the well-known recent European Commission report on farming cooperatives in Europe, led by professor Bijman, and considered to be the largest study to date. Our analysis clearly shows the extent to which professor Ballestero’s theses are still completely valid today.

Keywords

• agri-food cooperatives
• agri-food cooperatives management
• cooperatives’ efficiency.