Spatial effects on the productive structure of Spanish agri-food cooperatives

Abstract

This article analyses the role of spatial effects on the productive growth of Spanish agri-food cooperatives. The study was based on a sample data from 172 Spanish cooperatives for the period 2010–2012. We applied the Malmquist productivity index method to compute the productivity growth and its components. We then developed a multi-equational productivity growth model with spatial effects. Our results show that the productivity growth in agri-food cooperatives depends on the geographical location of the company and its interaction with its neighbours. This analysis supports the importance of taking into account the spatial dimension when regional agri-food policies are designed, particularly, for cooperatives characterized by the inter-cooperation principle.