The vegetable supply chain in Apulia: a model to understand challenges and opportunities

Italy is the first European country in terms of vegetable growing area and second as for the value of vegetable, legume and potatoes production. Within the Italian context, the Apulia region is ranked first in terms of harvested area and production of vegetables, representing 20% of the Italian production in open field. The total vegetable harvested area in Apulia is about 100,000 ha and involves over 7,000 farms. In this paper, we show and discuss a model representing the vegetable supply chain in Apulia. Our work will analyse the existing system taking into consideration this changing environment and provide an overview of the main players and stakeholders of the regional chain. Based on the analysis of their function, role and relationship, development opportunities for the supply chain will be explored.