Opportunities for joint marketing of farmers from the region of Smolyan

Dimitre Nikolov, Ivan Boevsky, Peter Borisov, Teodor Radev

Abstract: Access to profitable markets is perhaps the single most influential factor in determining the viability of the agricultural sector. It is a crucial factor for small farms which have historically had limited access to viable and profitable markets, usually marketing their products right out of the field through peddling and individual sales. These weaknesses of business can be overcome through participation in cooperative marketing. The aim of the article is to determine benefits and constraints of cooperative marketing in farms from Smolyan district. Farmers can achieve three types of benefits from participation in cooperative marketing: 1) better market information; 2) access to profitable market; 3) higher profit. These benefits are considered as results of direct contact with consumers. There will not be used external intermediaries. Some constraints restrain farmers to participate in forms of cooperative marketing. Farmers have doubts about management of the process and coordination between independent farmers.

Keywords: benefits; constraints; cooperation; farms; management; risk

Date published: 2020-04-04