Perishability and market power in Nepalese food crop production
利用尼泊尔番茄、生姜、高产品种水稻种子和扁豆的调查数据，研究作物易腐性如何影响承包商和合作社对小农行使的市场势力，发现易腐性越高的作物，小农被榨取的价值越多，降低易腐性可显著提高农户盈利。
Abstract This study provides empirical evidence for the relation between perishability in vertically coordinated supply chains and the market power exercised over smallholders in Nepal. Using survey data from small‐scale farms of tomatoes, ginger, high‐yielding variety paddy seeds, and lentils, we demonstrate how varying levels of perishability affect the degree of market power exercised by contractors and in cooperative farming. We show how much value‐added is diverted from farmers, compared to the benchmark set by the least perishable good. Results indicate that more perishable crops are subject to a greater degree of market power. A subsequent scenario analysis reveals that the redistributive effects of market power based on crop perishability are substantial: smallholders’ farm profitability increase by 18% as crop perishability is reduced by 50%. We conclude by discussing policy measures to reduce power imbalances due to crop perishability.