CAP 2023–2027: Can the fruit and vegetable model address the challenges of olive producer organizations?

Abstract

Despite long-standing European support, Producer Organizations (POs) have struggled to ensure farmer participation and aggregate production outside the fruit and vegetable (F&V) sector, where marketing obligations are absent. This study evaluates the extension of the F&V PO model to Italy’s olive sector under the 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Applying hybrid institution theory and a discrete choice experiment, we assess farmers’ preferences for PO services, including co-investment and risk mitigation. Results reveal preference heterogeneity and a structural risk of interdependence between participation, service quality, and production. Findings inform targeted PO design and contribute to post-2027 CAP debates on scaling collective models.