Last ned i fulltekst - Sifo

Summary
All links in the meat product distribution channel in this study have gone
through processes to make them more efficient during the period that we
study. We therefore had reason to expect changes in the price margins in our
results. It was of course difficult to isolate the effect of individual changes.
In addition, the entire food system had to handle the changes in the consumption
of meat. The development in the consumption of beef and pork showed a
strong growth from the 50s, but in the last few years, there has been stagnation
in the growth and/or reduction in consumption. At the same time, the food
system as a whole has been under certain pressure because the share of the
household budget used on food has been decreasing over time.
Methods and data sources
This project had ready-made single commodities in the shop as the starting
point. We have estimated margins for every link in the distribution channel for
selected single commodities. The results of the margin estimates will mainly
be presented as larger groups of meat products, that is as cut parts, steaks
and minces of beef and pork, and as processed products such as sausages
and cold cuts.
We have chosen to split the value chain or the distribution channel into different
links that reflect various functions. The gross margin was estimated for
every link, with a single commodity as the starting point. The gross margin is
the difference between selling price and purchasing price. In addition, we adjusted
for taxes and government subsidies. The result was an adjusted gross
margin, which from now on will be called a ‘margin’. When estimating margins,
we have adjusted the need for raw materials in relation to wastage in the
production process, and we have distributed the costs of raw materials when
dealing with co-productions of products.
To be able to estimate margins, reliable price registrations between each of
the links in the distribution channel are needed. In addition, the relevant taxes
and subsidies must be determined. The margin estimates on meat products
are based on observed prices for single items during the period 1989-99, and
show the margins in nominal NOK. Margin percentages for the links in the
distribution channel for single commodities were also estimated. We have
chosen to do this in two ways, as the margin’s share of the total margin and
as the margin’s share of the retailer price for the selected commodities. This is
a better source for comparing margins over time, as these show the change in
per cent for each link’s margin over time. It is thus possible to look at the relative
development of margin sizes within the distribution channel of single
commodities, without inflation influencing the results. We have put the main
emphasis on presenting the development in the shares based on the margins
as shares of the total of the margins. We then examined the distribution of
income in the sales channel, adjusted for taxes and subsidies.
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