http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/33734 Search the Channel search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/simple-search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/37633 Title: Investigating alternative governance systems for the South African mohair supply chain <br/> <br/>Authors: Jordaan, D.; Kirsten, J. <br/> <br/>Editors: Vink, N.; Jooste, A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Mohair is an exclusive natural animal fibre with niche market appeal. It is, however, questionable whether it is inherently suited to a commodity-based marketing system in a marketing environment that requires marketing systems to convey far more information than commodity-based systems do. Historically, mohair has been considered a commodity and the marketing system for mohair has been structured accordingly. It is, however, argued that, the exchange between mohair growers and the buyers of greasy mohair requires increased levels of coordination to govern the exchange in a transaction costs efficient manner. The inefficiencies created by an inappropriate or incomplete marketing system for South African mohair are expected to lead to a loss of consumer value and a loss of potential profit throughout the mohair supply chain if a more coordinated governance structure is not implemented to curb these costs and augment the current spot market exchange. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/37632 Title: Competitive performance of global deciduous fruit supply chains: South Africa versus Chile <br/> <br/>Authors: Mashabela, T.E.; Vink, N. <br/> <br/>Editors: Vink, N.; Jooste, A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The South African deciduous fruit industry has experienced difficulties in the past few years. Most deciduous fruit producers have suffered from increased globalisation of markets; trade liberalisation; deregulation of the industry; advances in information technology; changes in consumer preference; over-supply of deciduous fruit in South Africa’s traditional markets and increased global competition, particularly from Chile. These factors have a continuous effect on the competitiveness of the industry and force deciduous fruit producers to position themselves as capable competitors in the global free-market environment. This paper measures the competitive performance of the South African deciduous fruit supply chains relative to those of Chile. An internationally recognised index, the Relative Revealed Comparative Trade Advantage (RTA) index and also data from both Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO, 2007) and World Trade Organisation (WTO, 2007) are used to measure the competitive performance. The results reveal that South Africa’s deciduous fruit supply chains are shown to be competitive internationally, whereas Chile’s deciduous fruit supply chains are strongly internationally competitive. In most cases, South African fruit products to which value has been added have a competitive disadvantage, contrary to the case in Chile. South African deciduous fruit competitive performance decreases when moving from primary to processed products in the chains, an indication that value-adding opportunities are still limited Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/37631 Title: Modelling South African grain farmers’ preferences to adopt derivative contracts using discrete choice models <br/> <br/>Authors: Ueckermann, E.M.; Blignaut, J.N.; Gupta, R.; Raubenheimer, J. <br/> <br/>Editors: Vink, N.; Jooste, A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper applies a discrete choice model to determine specific characteristics that influence South African grain farmers’ preferences to hedge against uncertainties. This is the first empirical study on South African grain producers’ preferences to adopt derivative contracting and is based on the survey data of Grain South Africa for 2006. With the application of separate binary logit models for each major grain commodity, this paper establishes that different grain farmers are significantly heterogeneous. The results also show that grain farmers’ preferences to adopt derivative contracting are mostly influenced by the farmers’ prediction of daily grain prices and trends, farm size and various geographic characteristics. From a policy perspective it has been indicated that food and income insecurity will be reduced if farmers can adopt derivative contracting at large scale since it will enable the producers to produce staple food on a continuous basis at a relatively profitable level. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/37585 Title: Contracting arrangements in agribusiness procurement practices in South Africa <br/> <br/>Authors: Vermeulen, H.; Kirsten, J.; Sartorius, K. <br/> <br/>Editors: Vink, N.; Jooste, A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Contracting arrangements in agribusiness procurement practices in South Africa Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/37551 Title: South Africa’s new Cooperatives Act: A missed opportunity for small farmers and land reform beneficiaries <br/> <br/>Authors: Lyne, M.; Collins, R. <br/> <br/>Editors: Vink, N.; Jooste, A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Agricultural cooperatives are often viewed as appropriate vehicles to facilitate vertical coordination with, or horizontal integration between, small farmers who would otherwise be excluded from value-adding opportunities and discerning markets. In South Africa, renewed interest in development-oriented cooperatives saw the introduction of a new Cooperatives Act in 2005, along with support measures dedicated to ‘emerging’ cooperatives. This paper contends that the architects of the new Act discounted important trends in international legislation that would have made development-oriented cooperatives more versatile and given their members better access to capital and expertise through equity partnerships with private agribusiness firms. It is concluded that the new Act should be amended to admit non-patron investors as members, and to allow for non-redeemable and hence appreciable and tradable shares. Such innovations are emerging internationally, usually with a cap on non-patron voting power. Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:58:59 GMT