Markets and Agricultural Policy

Basic  knowledge in Economics

To achieve the objectives of the course unit and the acquisition of the expected competencies by the students, the teaching-learning process is based on the articulation of several methodologies: 1. oral presentation; 2. resolution of practical applications (exercises; text analysis; case studies); 3. research activities oriented by the teacher.

The students that successfully complete this curricular unit will:

1- Know the particularities of agricultural product markets

2- Understand the mechanisms of agricultural price formation

3 – Understand the role of different actors  in the food sector in Portugal

4 – Know the objectives and main instruments of agricultural policies

5 – Understand the historical evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy and its main instruments

6 – Use statistical data and other national and international documentary sources to prepare reports on specific topics related to agriculture

1. Food markets

1.1. Characteristics of Supply and Demand in food markets

1.2. Short-term and long-term agricultural price instability

1.3 Market imperfections

1.4. Trade margins and vertical coordination

1.5. Horizontal coordination and the role of farmers’ organizations

1.6. Small-scale farming and local markets

1.7. Certification of agrifood products.

1.8. Consumer preferences evolution regarding food 

2. Agricultural Policies

2.1. Objectives and instruments

2.2. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

2.3. Agricultural Policies in different parts of the world

Continuous assessment

The course unit can be assessed by continuous assessment or by exam. In the first case the components to be assessed and the assessment tools are: 1) short practical activities carried out by the students during and outside the contact time, including problem solving, case studies, documentary research and field reserch (30%); 2) group work carried out during the contact time (30%); 3) written test (40%). A student passes continuous assessment if, in the weighted average of the marks of the assessment instruments, he/she obtains at least a score of 10/20.

Exam

A student who fails the continuous assessment will have access to a written exam that covers all the syllabus of the course unit. A student will be approved if in that examination he/she obtains a minimum score of 10/20.

NAO