Intra-EU trade, resilience and social sustainability: the case of the oats value chain in the Nordics

Which social sustainability measures are addressed in the Nordic oats value chains (and why), and to what extent are these (omissions/ sustainability measures and mechanisms) relevant for the resilience of these value chains and the sustainability of intra-EU trade in oats and oats products? The sustainability-related governance mechanisms and practices studied include production contracts, trade credits, and implicit or explicit sustainability standards/ requirements put forward by those involved in oats value chains.

The key objective of this case study is to assess the resilience and social sustainability of the Nordic oats value chains (NOVC) from the perspective of its stakeholders (farmers, processors, traders, and retailers). The study assesses the resilience of the NOVC to changing trade regimes, climate, and other conditions of agricultural production with a focus on pricing and governance, as part of the overall focus on social sustainability of NOVCs (SDGs 8, 12, 13, 15 as per Grant Agreement).

Assessment of sustainability-related governance mechanisms and practices such as production contracts, trade credits, implicit or explicit sustainability standards/ requirements put forward by those involved in oats value chains.

The role and effect of trade credits and production subsidies are covered, as applicable.

Market power asymmetry measurements via assessment of pricing transparency and price data sharing; coverage of trade credits, implicit or explicit sustainability standards/ requirements put forward by members in the oats value chain, as they affect the acceptance or rejection of downstream VC members (farmers) thereby affecting competitiveness of individual VC members; willingness of VCs to adopt novel sustainability standards affects export-oriented and domestic competitiveness and FDI.

Case study approach.

Primary data collection: mix of in-person and online stakeholder interviews (approx. 30); in-depth interviews (approx. 5); secondary trade data on oats; logistic regression analysis. The indicators to be used relate to resource efficiency in consumption and production; decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation; employment and decent work for women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value; reduced waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse; public procurement practices that are sustainable; rationalized inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies; ecosystem and biodiversity values and improved water quality and water use efficiency.