open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/49077

青果物流通変容下における 「内部規格」化の進展に関する研究

The introduction of“Internal Standards”under the transformation of fruit and vegetable distribution systems

日本語

2012-03-23

北海道大学大学院農学研究院

Memories of the Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University

32(2)

115-194

The objective of this study is to examine the introduction of“Internal Standards’”for crops and its effects on distribution under the transformation of fruit and vegetable distribution systems. “Internal standard”refers to the measurement of sugar content and acidity in crops using an Optical Sensor. In Japan,the use of Optical Sensors in addition to standards for shape and weight has been widespread mainly for fruit from the beginning of the 1990’s to the middle of 2000’s. The aim of Optical Sensors for the farmer is to get a better price and to secure stable customers such as large-scale retailers under intensification of competition. This study consists of six chapters. In the first chapter, the problems and background of this study are introduced. Chapter 1 describes the changes in fruit and vegetable standardization and provides the background to these changes from around 1950’s to 1990’s. The increasingly high level of grading using former standards led to an increase in labor and lower income for the farmer. Chapter 2 describes the transformation of the fruit and vegetable distribution system under the increasing power of large-scale retailers and provides an explanation on why the standards can’t be simplified. The problems associated with the introduction of“Internal standards”are also discussed by referring to former questionnaires. Chapter 3 describes the case study of Nishiuwa Farmer’s Cooperative in Hinomaru District,a mandarin producing area in Ehime Prefecture. Chapter 4 describes the case study of Kyowa Farmer’s Cooperative District, a melon producing area in Hokkaido. In the last chapter,conclusions of this study have been explained in detail. Major conclusions are as follows: (1)Introduction of an “Internal standard” enables a producing area to carry out the transaction of products with large-scale retailers. (2)Both case studies reveal that the introduction of “Internal standards” didn’t increase farmers’incomes since the price of the product didn’t increase,although there was a rise in the cost of mechanical sorting. These results suggest that some other standards such as ISO,organic certification, have been diffused rapidly in the agricultural sector,but the introduction of these standards as well as“Internal Standards”may not bring economic benefits for the farmer. Simplification of standards is needed in the Japanese food sector.

紀要論文

Version of Record

1881-8064

AA12190860