STATE INTERVENTION ON THE HORTICULTURAL MARKETS

There are different ways of intervention according the goals pursued (1): market stabilization, maintain farmer income or defend consumption level in adequate conditions.

As a consequence of their special characteristics (perishable product, geographic location, agronomy conditions with great seasonality, etc), the horticulture sector is not usually protected by systematic interventions. However, quite often we can appreciate works about marketing problems (2).

Special attention have the studies on the wholesale markets (3), and the fact that many administrative actions are focused on these areas.

There is not any systematic regulation in the Spanish horticultural sector in the domestic market, in the same way that it happens to cereals, wine, olive oil, etc. Nevertheless, in order to get better market equilibrium, during last years, may be mentioned some actions, specially after the F.O.R.P.P.A. (Institution for agricultural products and prices organizating) was created in 1968.

Former interventions had not a coordination among private enterprises and administration, with better study of the market.

The intervention mechanisme of that Institution in the horticultural sector, has been complemented with the Market at Farmer Level (Mercados en Origen), and the Association of Agricultural Producers (Asociaciones de Productores Agrarios), through a new legislation at producer level, what it is an incentive for better market regulation.

To improve marketing on the step wholesale to retail level, it was important the creation of MERCASA (Mercados Centrales de Abastecimientos, S.A.), a national enterprise created in 1966, among whose goals are to concentrate demand and supply, and improve market transparency.

In spite of all the legislation published, there is not any automatic mechanisme in the Spanish horticultural sector, and each time the market need some actions, the Council of Ministers has to aprove. Through orders (Mociones) elaborated in the F.O.R.P.P.A.

There are different types of modalities in the way of intervention of F.O.R.P.P.A.:

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