Farmer–buyer relationships and sustainable agricultural practices in the food supply chain: The case of vegetables in Chile

This study investigates how the relationship between farmers and buyers affects adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) in vegetable sector Chile. Specifically, we focus on dyadic relationships different types buyers, including besides lead firms, intermediaries, wholesalers, which have received little attention scientific literature. Our analysis focuses formal informal contracts as governance forms explores correlation contract provisions (e.g., quality, quantity, provision services), attributes (i.e., satisfaction, trust, opportunism) SAPs. We gathered survey data from 352 Chile employed variance logit modeling for our analysis. findings indicate that small-scale primarily engage with intermediaries using contracts, while medium-scale trade wholesalers through spot markets, large-scale firms contracts. also found who traded mainly reported greater satisfaction farmer-buyer than trading However, engaging were less likely to adopt SAPs results suggest form (contracts or market) adopted influences SAPs, impact SAP is clear. A deeper understanding their essential enhance policies encouraging regional local fresh food supply chains. [EconLit Citations: Q13, Q15, Q56].